Am I considered disadvantaged?

[westsidestoryz]

---

Members do not see this ad.

My parents are missionaries who live in Africa. Since 10th grade, it has been just my sibling and I taking care of ourselves. My parents receive donation from their church but our family income was very low. We still lived in suburban areas.

Now, my parents still live in Africa while receiving donations.

My question is would I be considered as disadvantaged in the eyes of adcoms? (economically) we didnt receive any government aids. We worked since high school and supported ourselves while taking out loans.

 

[westsidestoryz]

Bump

 

[bahdahboom]

My parents are missionaries who live in Africa. Since 10th grade, it has been just my sibling and I taking care of ourselves. My parents receive donation from their church but our family income was very low. We still lived in suburban areas.

Now, my parents still live in Africa while receiving donations.

My question is would I be considered as disadvantaged in the eyes of adcoms? (economically) we didnt receive any government aids. We worked since high school and supported ourselves while taking out loans.

If I were you, I would see what your family income was growing up compared to the national poverty level. If it’s below or in the ballpark, then that gives you an idea of how disadvantaged you may have been. Regardless, I would consider you disadvantaged because you dealt with out of the ordinary financial stressors that the average Med school applicant probably has not experienced.

 

[westsidestoryz]

If I were you, I would see what your family income was growing up compared to the national poverty level. If it’s below or in the ballpark, then that gives you an idea of how disadvantaged you may have been. Regardless, I would consider you disadvantaged because you dealt with out of the ordinary financial stressors that the average Med school applicant probably has not experienced.

I am not at the poverty level because of FAFSA and Loans but our income was low.

I just did not want to put it as my status and have the ADCOMs chew me out on it lol

 

[OchemOficionado]

I am not at the poverty level because of FAFSA and Loans but our income was low.

I just did not want to put it as my status and have the ADCOMs chew me out on it lol

FAFSA from 0-18 years old?

 

[westsidestoryz]

FAFSA from 0-18 years old?

lol no....FAFSA from college..come on man....
parents left in 10th grade. We just worked and lived off loans. Got donations from churches though. FAFSA was not enough after tuition. So the extra loan helped.

 

[OchemOficionado]

lol no....FAFSA from college..come on man....
parents left in 10th grade. We just worked and lived off loans. Got donations from churches though. FAFSA was not enough after tuition. So the extra loan helped.

My point is that the disadvantaged status is taking into consideration what happened from 0-18 years old, so your income level in college isn’t really considered. A lot of people have expenses after they receive aid from FAFSA. You’ll have to input your parents income level on your application so you don’t have to worry about ADCOMS chewing you out, lol. You should talk about having to work, starting in the 10th grade and how that may have effected your education and left you less prepared for college in comparison to your peers that didn’t have work in high school.

 

[westsidestoryz]

My point is that the disadvantaged status is taking into consideration what happened from 0-18 years old, so your income level in college isn’t really considered. A lot of people have expenses after they receive aid from FAFSA. You’ll have to input your parents income level on your application so you don’t have to worry about ADCOMS chewing you out, lol. You should talk about having to work, starting in the 10th grade and how that may have effected your education and left you less prepared for college in comparison to your peers that didn’t have work in high school.

I didn't know that. Thanks for clarifying lol I wanted to be real careful before I selected that option.

Where would I talk about that? After I mark myself as disadvantaged or in my PS or Secondaries?

 

[OchemOficionado]

I didn't know that. Thanks for clarifying lol I wanted to be real careful before I selected that option.

Where would I talk about that? After I mark myself as disadvantaged or in my PS or Secondaries?

If you choose to apply disadvantaged there will be a section to explain why. You will talk about it there and then where ever else you want. I’d say it’s better suited for a secondary rather than PS.

 

[westsidestoryz]

If you choose to apply disadvantaged there will be a section to explain why. You will talk about it there and then where ever else you want. I’d say it’s better suited for a secondary rather than PS.

okay wait, so you are considering me as disadvantaged but not for the income-driven reasons. Just different circumstances?

 

[OchemOficionado]

okay wait, so you are considering me as disadvantaged but not for the income-driven reasons. Just different circumstances?

That was a different poster.

 

[buckoh24]

okay wait, so you are considering me as disadvantaged but not for the income-driven reasons. Just different circumstances?

Disadvantaged can be a lot of things. Did you have to help raise your siblings because your parents were gone? If so, did you feel like this impacted your ability to thrive in school and could have had an impact in stuff like choice of college?

 

[westsidestoryz]

Disadvantaged can be a lot of things. Did you have to help raise your siblings because your parents were gone? If so, did you feel like this impacted your ability to thrive in school and could have had an impact in stuff like choice of college?

I got into UCSD but chose to go to a CC because of tuition cost but thats most people.

 

[westsidestoryz]

That was a different poster.

So in your eyes, i wouldnt be considered one. Just gauging what people are thinking.

 

[drgweeds]

So in your eyes, i wouldnt be considered one. Just gauging what people are thinking.

This is taken from US News:
1. Lacking financial resources: If you had to forego educational opportunities or work to support family due to economic hardship, the disadvantaged statement could be one place to mention this situation.

2. Feeling a lack of belonging: Students from immigrant backgrounds, or who otherwise faced cultural or racial adversity in school, often use this space to discuss those issues.

3. Lacking sufficient social or environmental resources: Applicants from rural or impoverished urban areas often used this section to discuss the impact of their upbringing in these areas on their educational opportunities or overall wellbeing.

And this from the AMCAS Manual:
Disadvantaged Status: You will then be asked if you wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant by your designated medical schools. You might consider yourself disadvantaged if you grew up in an area that was medically underserved or had insufficient access to State and Federal Assistance programs. Click Yes to be considered a disadvantaged applicant. You will be given an additional 1,325 characters to explain why you believe you should be considered a disadvantaged applicant.

Essentially, disadvantaged status is a self-identifier for students. Schools have their own ways of considering this and learning more about a candidate's experience. If you mean to say that while in HS, you were responsible for working so that the majority of your earnings could contribute to paying for your house, food, living essentials, then I think you certainly can claim disadvantaged status. \

For reference, growing up, my family didn't have a lot of money so we were eligible for and benefited from SNAP, free and reduced price school lunch, and medicaid. Even though we went through hardship, I did not self identify on AMCAS as disadvantaged. I had access to community, state, and federal support.

Usually this question is a no-brainer and doesn't require asking a bunch of people online. If you come from a disadvantaged background, you would know it...

 

[westsidestoryz]

Lol thanks yall for the answers

 

[altblue]

Usually this question is a no-brainer and doesn't require asking a bunch of people online. If you come from a disadvantaged background, you would know it...

Context matters

I didn't figure it out till I started going to a wealthy undergrad

 

[westsidestoryz]

Context matters

I didn't figure it out till I started going to a wealthy undergrad

Someone gets it. I just couldn't take it on face-value, hence the online question. Im just planning to call a med school committee and see

 

[altblue]

Someone gets it. I just couldn't take it on face-value, hence the online question. Im just planning to call a med school committee and see

Good plan

Another thing to consider is that moderately below average income in the US is pretty ****ing poor by med school applicant standards. That could be a pretty big disadvantage

 

[westsidestoryz]

Good plan

Another thing to consider is that moderately below average income in the US is pretty ****ing poor by med school applicant standards. That could be a pretty big disadvantage

And the fact that I live in SoCal. High living cost. It all played a factor

 

[500miles]

Just a couple thoughts. If f you claim disadvantaged you will definitely have to work on a clear, presentable story of why when asked at the interview. Also, it can be difficult to understand how disadvantaged you were until leaving that environment because your social gauges are to those around you. It can be a hard question to answer.

 

[altblue]

Just a couple thoughts. If f you claim disadvantaged you will definitely have to work on a clear, presentable story of why when asked at the interview. Also, it can be difficult to understand how disadvantaged you were until leaving that environment because your social gauges are to those around you. It can be a hard question to answer.

Looking at the original post I don't think it's too difficult to gauge.....

 

[500miles]

Looking at the original post I don't think it's too difficult to gauge.....

I was speaking more in general terms, but yes I agree.

 

[OchemOficionado]

Someone gets it. I just couldn't take it on face-value, hence the online question. Im just planning to call a med school committee and see

It's not this difficult. Another member posted some great guidelines. If you read the post you should have your answer. At the end of the day, just explain your hardships between 0-18 years old and their effects on you thereafter, and let the person reading your app decide.

Oh, and good luck getting an ADCOM on the phone. I wouldn't take the word of the student worker or receptionist that, in all actuality, may answer the phone.

 

[westsidestoryz]

It's not this difficult. Another member posted some great guidelines. If you read the post you should have your answer. At the end of the day, just explain your hardships between 0-18 years old and their effects on you thereafter, and let the person reading your app decide.

Oh, and good luck getting an ADCOM on the phone. I wouldn't take the word of the student worker or receptionist that, in all actuality, may answer the phone.

yes, yes. Good advice. Will do. Thanks.