Am I considered "disadvantaged" if I have a daughter?

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OopsIdidItAgain

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Hi! I just gave birth to my daughter about 6 weeks ago and was wondering if this would make me "disadvantaged?" Not too sure how the whole "disadvantaged" thing works. I have just applied for Medicaid for her, and we are currently enrolled in a program that provides us checks for a small amount of food items per month. Anyways, thanks for your input!
 
No, you just didnt have enough common sense to use birth control correctly.
 
Wow, what ass holes some people can be..
Does the OP really deserve that?
 
Wow your posting history is really unique with 1 post a year, almost every year.
 
KindofBlue said:
Wow, what ass holes some people can be..
Does the OP really deserve that?
Click to expand...

No, but the OP is basically asking, "how can I scam the system."

OP- the answer is no. Your child does not make you disadvanted. You are not a special snowflake, nor are you the first person to apply with children. I have 3 of them. So quit trying to pulll every little card to gain an edge.
 
Wow people, really? Grow up.

OP, I think qualifying for federal assistance gives you the ability to claim disadvantaged on your application, https://services.aamc.org/AMCAS2_2009/WebApp/Help/WebHelp/Disadvantaged_Status.htm

I was under the impression it was based off your family, birth-18 years but I guess it changes when you have a family of your own. Im not sure how accurate this is, or who I heard it from, but disadvantaged status was put in place because not every applicant can afford an expensive private school, mcat prep course, tutors, some have to work so they don't have as much time for ECs. For those who are going to jump down my throat for saying that, I'll add that I don't believe this holds much weight either way.

I was in a similar situation as yours from 16-18 (minus the fed aid thing) and filed as a disadvantaged applicant. Many secondaries have "overcoming obstacles" essays, and for you this is a great place to talk about continuing your education with a child regardless of the sacrifices (financially) you'll have to make. If you do not claim disadvantaged and choose to write about these things, there may be a disconnect. On the other hand, some people will tell you not to talk about it at all because it will be viewed negatively.

Long story short, best thing you can do is 1) contact schools you'd like to apply to and get their opinion on the disadvantaged status and 2) find someone knowledgeable and with good intentions who can help you along the way (premed advisor would be a good place to start)

Good Luck 🙂
 
Oh, and I would also say spend as much time with your family as possible now. Definitely still take time to volunteer and do well in classes but I wish someone had told me to slow down and enjoy my family more before med school started. I Know that was not your Question but most of this is unsolicited advice, Isnt it?

And check out the nontraditional section.
 
KindofBlue said:
Wow, what ass holes some people can be..
Does the OP really deserve that?
Click to expand...

Um, yes. She comes on here and asks if she can have an edge on other applicants because she had a baby she couldn't afford? Give me a break. No one wants to go to med school based on merit these days, they just want handouts.

Wouldn't life be dandy if we could all just go out, get laid, have a kid and get an easier acceptance into medical school..
 
vin5cent0 said:
Um, yes. She comes on here and asks if she can have an edge on other applicants because she had a baby she couldn't afford? Give me a break. No one wants to go to med school based on merit these days, they just want handouts.

Wouldn't life be dandy if we could all just go out, get laid, have a kid and get an easier acceptance into medical school..
Click to expand...

For you, career might > family and you might want to wait until after med school/residency to have children, but this isn't an acceptable choice to everyone. It's not a big deal to have kids when you're older if you are a man, but women have to worry about things like higher chances of birth defects, decreased fertility, higher chances of cardiovascular problems postpartum, having your menopause coincide with your kid's puberty, etc. etc. And in case you haven't noticed, it's not as easy as "go out, get laid, have a kid". Not quite.

As for "baby she couldn't afford"-- countless young parents have kids when they are less well-established and build both family and career at the same time. It's not like she's a random tramp with no ambition in life and too lazy to get a job, because that's clearly not the case here.
 
ejw5075 said:
Oh, and I would also say spend as much time with your family as possible now. Definitely still take time to volunteer and do well in classes but I wish someone had told me to slow down and enjoy my family more before med school started. I Know that was not your Question but most of this is unsolicited advice, Isnt it?

And check out the nontraditional section.
Click to expand...


Your avatar is adorable 🙂
 
vin5cent0 said:
Um, yes. She comes on here and asks if she can have an edge on other applicants because she had a baby she couldn't afford? Give me a break. No one wants to go to med school based on merit these days, they just want handouts.

Wouldn't life be dandy if we could all just go out, get laid, have a kid and get an easier acceptance into medical school..
Click to expand...

👍 exactly.
 
demotivational-posters-the-end-times-are-nigh.jpg
 
ejw5075 said:
Wow people, really? Grow up.

OP, I think qualifying for federal assistance gives you the ability to claim disadvantaged on your application, https://services.aamc.org/AMCAS2_2009/WebApp/Help/WebHelp/Disadvantaged_Status.htm

I was under the impression it was based off your family, birth-18 years but I guess it changes when you have a family of your own. Im not sure how accurate this is, or who I heard it from, but disadvantaged status was put in place because not every applicant can afford an expensive private school, mcat prep course, tutors, some have to work so they don't have as much time for ECs. For those who are going to jump down my throat for saying that, I'll add that I don't believe this holds much weight either way.

I was in a similar situation as yours from 16-18 (minus the fed aid thing) and filed as a disadvantaged applicant. Many secondaries have "overcoming obstacles" essays, and for you this is a great place to talk about continuing your education with a child regardless of the sacrifices (financially) you'll have to make. If you do not claim disadvantaged and choose to write about these things, there may be a disconnect. On the other hand, some people will tell you not to talk about it at all because it will be viewed negatively.

Long story short, best thing you can do is 1) contact schools you'd like to apply to and get their opinion on the disadvantaged status and 2) find someone knowledgeable and with good intentions who can help you along the way (premed advisor would be a good place to start)

Good Luck 🙂
Click to expand...

You realize this person is claiming to be on food stamps and having children she can't afford, right?

Your tax dollars are paying for her to get her freak on.
 
vin5cent0 said:
Wouldn't life be dandy if we could all just go out, get laid, have a kid and get an easier acceptance into medical school..
Click to expand...


Right, that's totally a viable strategy. The minor fact of being able to put "disadvantaged" on your app would totally offset the waking up five times a night for months, not being able to study because you are comforting a child with a 104 degree fever and having no time for ECs or volunteering because you can't get anyone to babysit. God, why isn't everyone doing this?

To be sure, I agree with the general sentiment of the thread: having a baby doesn't make you disadvantaged, mostly because it's something you brought upon yourself, not circumstances outside of your control. But even if it did give you brownie points on your app, the costs are way out of proportion to the benefits. Don't have sex kids! Stay in school!
 
When her daughter applies for medical school, she can most likely click the disadvantaged box.

This is totally my personal opinion, but I think that the disadvantaged option should be for those who are/were in disadvantaged situations that they could not control. For example, parents who made very little money and couldn't support their children.

Additionally, whether or not you can list yourself as disadvantaged, you are likely to be met with skepticism from some adcoms that is very similar to what you have read here.
 
Am I the only one that thought that the disadvantage was having a daughter rather than a son?

🙄

If you have the baby before age 18 and still make it through college, you might have grown up in disadvantaged circumstances.

IMHO anything that happens after age 18 doesn't count toward disadvantaged.

Furthermore, do you really want to disclose this on an application if you don't have to? Do you think it may raise questions about your ability to handle med school? It can certainly raise questions in an interview about how you will handle work/family balance including explicit plans for dealing with a sick offspring who can't go to school/daycare because of contagion.
 
Also, I feel obligated to point out the irony of the OPs username. :laugh:
 
Tired said:
Yes.

You can also indicate in your application that you are "disabled" because you didn't know how to use birth control properly...
Click to expand...

Harsh, but I loled. :laugh:


If you yourself grew up in poverty, you could be considered disadvantaged. I would not try to claim that you are disadvantaged because you had a child that you apparently can't afford, hence the Medicaid application. Also, just curious, how do you play on supporting this child during med school? Even if you took out the maximum amount of loans, those are intended just to cover living expenses for one person. I don't know that they would be enough to support a child as well.

I probably seem unduly harsh, but if this is how a stranger sees your situation, imagine how an adcom would see your situation. Maybe not so different.
 
Possible new fodder for the gunner meme thread.
 
OopsIdidItAgain said:
Hi! I just gave birth to my daughter about 6 weeks ago and was wondering if this would make me "disadvantaged?" Not too sure how the whole "disadvantaged" thing works. I have just applied for Medicaid for her, and we are currently enrolled in a program that provides us checks for a small amount of food items per month. Anyways, thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

youre considered awesome.

seriously, congratulations and props to you...
i have nothing to contribute besides that...

🙂🙂🙂

good luck.
 
iceman132 said:
You realize this person is claiming to be on food stamps and having children she can't afford, right?

Your tax dollars are paying for her to get her freak on.
Click to expand...

Actually, Id rather have my tax dollars going towards the parents who can't afford to raise their kids AND do nothing to better themselves or their children. That would be a much better situation, I mean the fact that she wants to go to professional school shouldn't be acknowledged at all because all young mothers are just a detriment to society. Let me support the sons of teen moms who (unlike OP) do nothing to stop the cycle, allowing their children to end up in prison. Or, better yet, those who have multiple children knowing full well they cannot afford these children.

There are programs put in place for a reason and OP (if legit) is utilizing those programs because she needs to and because she wants to better her life and that of her child's. I don't see how you can get so angry about something so trivial (checking a box on AMCAS). I truly hope you are able to change your attitude, or work in a specialty that does not see low income patients.
 
FattySlug said:
You all have been trolled, hard.
Click to expand...

I think you are right, hence the (if legit) in my post BUT I felt it necessary to say those things, for those who responded so negatively. People are in that situation IRL and deserve better.
 
ejw5075 said:
I think you are right, hence the (if legit) in my post BUT I felt it necessary to say those things, for those who responded so negatively. People are in that situation IRL and deserve better.
Click to expand...
I understand. The amount of negativity kinda surprised me. I was expecting to hear a little jabs here and there but this is more than that.

Edit: people should put in more efforts to flame the guy asking about step 1 score to get into derm without understanding what average means on the other thread. He is back there again.
 
ejw5075 said:
Actually, Id rather have my tax dollars going towards the parents who can't afford to raise their kids AND do nothing to better themselves or their children. That would be a much better situation, I mean the fact that she wants to go to professional school shouldn't be acknowledged at all because all young mothers are just a detriment to society. Let me support the sons of teen moms who (unlike OP) do nothing to stop the cycle, allowing their children to end up in prison. Or, better yet, those who have multiple children knowing full well they cannot afford these children.

There are programs put in place for a reason and OP (if legit) is utilizing those programs because she needs to and because she wants to better her life and that of her child's. I don't see how you can get so angry about something so trivial (checking a box on AMCAS). I truly hope you are able to change your attitude, or work in a specialty that does not see low income patients.
Click to expand...

I currently work in an urban hospital and see plenty of low income patients. Many of them come from a long cycle of poverty, one that is insanely difficult to overcome. It is for these people that AMCAS has a disadvantaged section. As I said in my previous post, if OP herself was disadvantaged growing up, then she should by all means check the box and explain the situation. If, however, she is simply trying to take advantage of a situation in which she placed herself, I think people have a right to be irritated. I am a huge proponent of social welfare nets and helping out people who are trying to better their situation in life. However, there comes a point at which people need to take responsibility for their actions and not try to reap benefits from their own poor choices.
 
TheMightySmiter said:
I currently work in an urban hospital and see plenty of low income patients. Many of them come from a long cycle of poverty, one that is insanely difficult to overcome. It is for these people that AMCAS has a disadvantaged section. As I said in my previous post, if OP herself was disadvantaged growing up, then she should by all means check the box and explain the situation. If, however, she is simply trying to take advantage of a situation in which she placed herself, I think people have a right to be irritated. I am a huge proponent of social welfare nets and helping out people who are trying to better their situation in life. However, there comes a point at which people need to take responsibility for their actions and not try to reap benefits from their own poor choices.
Click to expand...

I agree with most of what you have said. I got pregnant in high school and have raised my daughter without assistance from the government or public programs of any kind. That being said, without my husband, I can't say that I wouldn't have needed those programs and who is to say that is wrong? Mistakes happen and we do our best to own up to them and make right but what about the situations where we fall short, best intentions and all. I know women who are on assistance (at age 30) because their husbands decided to leave them and they now have nothing. I question whether they would be met with such opposition for accepting help.
 
The OP's next thread: I just got a great dark tan! Can I apply as a urm?
 
Doctor246853 said:
I would beg to differ.
Click to expand...

Boys are so much easier to take care of then girls. Especially teenage girls. From my experiences as a teenage boy, I can honestly say I have no intention of having daughters (artificial insemination ftw).
 
OopsIdidItAgain said:
Hi! I just gave birth to my daughter about 6 weeks ago and was wondering if this would make me "disadvantaged?" Not too sure how the whole "disadvantaged" thing works. I have just applied for Medicaid for her, and we are currently enrolled in a program that provides us checks for a small amount of food items per month. Anyways, thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Sorry.
 
ponyo said:
For you, career might > family and you might want to wait until after med school/residency to have children, but this isn't an acceptable choice to everyone. It's not a big deal to have kids when you're older if you are a man, but women have to worry about things like higher chances of birth defects, decreased fertility, higher chances of cardiovascular problems postpartum, having your menopause coincide with your kid's puberty, etc. etc. And in case you haven't noticed, it's not as easy as "go out, get laid, have a kid". Not quite.

As for "baby she couldn't afford"-- countless young parents have kids when they are less well-established and build both family and career at the same time. It's not like she's a random tramp with no ambition in life and too lazy to get a job, because that's clearly not the case here.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter how you rationalize why she had a kid. I don't care why she had a kid, that's her business. However, asking to be given a handicap when applying because of a bad decision she made is really ridiculous. If you can't see that...

StephanieZ said:
Right, that's totally a viable strategy. The minor fact of being able to put "disadvantaged" on your app would totally offset the waking up five times a night for months, not being able to study because you are comforting a child with a 104 degree fever and having no time for ECs or volunteering because you can't get anyone to babysit. God, why isn't everyone doing this?
Click to expand...

Again, what's your point? Disadvantaged should be for things out of your control, no question asked. If you grow up in a house where learning is severely hampered by means outside of your control, great, I can sympathize with why that person should be given a little slack. But going out, getting pregnant with a baby you can't afford, and then asking to be given slack because of that?

It's actually really sad to see how this country has become. People just want everything handed to them today, and no one wants to work for it anymore. Maybe I was just raised differently.. but the whole premise of the OP's question is just sad.
 
Take advantage of any opportunities to label yourself as "URM, disadvantaged, etc." it's probably one of the easiest ways to improve your application significantly. Obviously, your case is somewhat minor, things like serious illnesses appear a lot more "disadvantages", but you have to use what you have.

Don't worry too much about the ethics and whether it's right or wrong, this is medical school, it's their fault for siding with the "disadvantaged" to such a degree where it can really benefit you.

Heck, I am still disappointed I am not of a minority, nor have any serious illness and or diseases or disadvantages, or else I would be milking the hell out of those "'unfortunate' benefits" and probably have applied to a lot better undergraduate schools.

Gunning with your life's unfortunates? Meh, you can worry about it when you are a doctor with the $100k job.

Basically, if tomorrow I find out I have cancer, I am applying to Harvard on my way to chemotherapy.
 
Last edited:
vin5cent0 said:
It doesn't matter how you rationalize why she had a kid. I don't care why she had a kid, that's her business. However, asking to be given a handicap when applying because of a bad decision she made is really ridiculous. If you can't see that...



Again, what's your point? Disadvantaged should be for things out of your control, no question asked. If you grow up in a house where learning is severely hampered by means outside of your control, great, I can sympathize with why that person should be given a little slack. But going out, getting pregnant with a baby you can't afford, and then asking to be given slack because of that?

It's actually really sad to see how this country has become. People just want everything handed to them today, and no one wants to work for it anymore. Maybe I was just raised differently.. but the whole premise of the OP's question is just sad.
Click to expand...

You have a valid point that OP put herself in this situation (though she may not have but I'm not going into such scenarios). However, I highly doubt anyone goes out and gets pregnant just to put it on their med school app. Is this "advantage" truly that threatening to applicants? She asked a simple question and was ridiculed for it. Even more confusing, it was a valid question and according to the AAMC, she is correct in assuming she would be "disadvantaged".
 
ejw5075 said:
You have a valid point that OP put herself in this situation (though she may not have but I'm not going into such scenarios). However, I highly doubt anyone goes out and gets pregnant just to put it on their med school app. Is this "advantage" truly that threatening to applicants? She asked a simple question and was ridiculed for it. Even more confusing, it was a valid question and according to the AAMC, she is correct in assuming she would be "disadvantaged".
Click to expand...

I highly doubt she got pregnant so early just to "feel the joy of being a mommy"...

...or there's the possibility that she didn't mean to get pregnant in the first place.
 
I am confused as to where it was mentioned that the pregnancy was unplanned. :eyebrow:
 
MeowMeowCAT said:
I am confused as to where it was mentioned that the pregnancy was unplanned. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

Neither was the possibility that people go out getting pregnant just to put it on their medical school app. I was only responding to that tidbit. ._.
 
wow people...
planned or unplanned, this is unrelated to the matter.
OP have a child and is recieving food stamps ( or some other assistance program). That alone should qualify you as disadvantage.
 
flatearth22 said:
Boys are so much easier to take care of then girls. Especially teenage girls. From my experiences as a teenage boy, I can honestly say I have no intention of having daughters (artificial insemination ftw).
Click to expand...

Kids are a timesuck and a pain in the rear. That's why I don't plan on having any.
 
flatearth22 said:
I have no intention of having daughters (artificial insemination ftw).
Click to expand...

You can't decide the sex yet, consider adoption in this case.

...

I kind of want little kids, doctors and or engineers obviously. :meanie:
 
ElCapone said:
Kids are a timesuck and a pain in the rear. That's why I don't plan on having any.
Click to expand...

You're 17. Of course you don't plan on aving any...wait till you are 30.
 
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