Am I disadvantaged?

[LebLlama]

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I don't necessarily think I am, but my friend who is also applying this cycle is listing himself as disadvantaged and my situation was worse than his.

So you tell me:

Growing up I always had a roof over my head, food to eat, etc. That wasnt a problem. At my lowest point I only had about 3 outfits to wear (was embarassing because people at my school would notice me with the same stuff) and did have to work (only 2 days a week though) to help with family bills at age 15.

I also had to work full time to pay for my undergrad tuition.


What do you think?
Like I said, I don't want to come accross as "boo hoo poor me" but I also don't want to steer away from it while other people make BS up about how theyre disadvantaged.


Also... I had to work to contribute because my parents got divorced, and my mom couldnt handle the bills on her own. I even dropped out of high school to work (plus I was wayy stressed and couldnt concentrate)

Should I mention dropping out or not..

 

[Poliscidoc]

I don't necessarily think I am, but my friend who is also applying this cycle is listing himself as disadvantaged and my situation was worse than his.

So you tell me:

Growing up I always had a roof over my head, food to eat, etc. That wasnt a problem. At my lowest point I only had about 3 outfits to wear (was embarassing because people at my school would notice me with the same stuff) and did have to work (only 2 days a week though) to help with family bills at age 15.

I also had to work full time to pay for my undergrad tuition.


What do you think?
Like I said, I don't want to come accross as "boo hoo poor me" but I also don't want to steer away from it while other people make BS up about how theyre disadvantaged.

I would say try to use it in your PS or secondaries. But it's your call but it sounds like you already know the answer. But it could make for one hell of a PS story

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I think your situation could go either way. You say you had a roof over your head with 3 outfits..(and I mean this in the nicest wya possible), you're bordering disadvantage (assuming your parents both worked at very low income jobs)...I would say your friend (if he can't prove it) is going to face a lot of issues proving his disadvantaged status and adcoms grill people for it..(so I hear).

I would say if you can "prove" you're disadvantaged, it won't hurt to put it. It also I think will depend on your income levels and family education background...

 

[LebLlama]

Well its good to hear that they make people prove their so called disadvantaged status. That was my concern - that a "disadvantaged" individual might be given an acceptance over an otherwise equal competitor soley based on the fact that they claim theyre disadvantaged without being checked.

But yeah, I mean I never had to sleep under a bridge or anything so I dont really consider myself disadvantaged...

The idea to incorporate my story into the PS is a good idea though. Thanks

 

[Marathon Doctor]

If you have to ask, then no.

 

[Rickybobby]

I don't necessarily think I am, but my friend who is also applying this cycle is listing himself as disadvantaged and my situation was worse than his.

So you tell me:

Growing up I always had a roof over my head, food to eat, etc. That wasnt a problem. At my lowest point I only had about 3 outfits to wear (was embarassing because people at my school would notice me with the same stuff) and did have to work (only 2 days a week though) to help with family bills at age 15.

I also had to work full time to pay for my undergrad tuition.


What do you think?
Like I said, I don't want to come accross as "boo hoo poor me" but I also don't want to steer away from it while other people make BS up about how theyre disadvantaged.


Also... I had to work to contribute because my parents got divorced, and my mom couldnt handle the bills on her own. I even dropped out of high school to work (plus I was wayy stressed and couldnt concentrate)

Should I mention dropping out or not..

WHAT?

Absolutely, I'm crying. You've had a tough life you should absolutely be a physician.

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

 

[LebLlama]

WHAT?

Absolutely, I'm crying. You've had a tough life you should absolutely be a physician.

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

Your verbal reasoning score must have been a 1. =)

 

[goldendoor]

.

 

[youngxgold]

WHAT?

Absolutely, I'm crying. You've had a tough life you should absolutely be a physician.

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

Why are kids on this forum so ****in obnoxious? There are at least 20 more posters like you that love to negatively contribute.

This is why almost none of my friends in college were premed.

OP I feel for you. You don't have had to been homeless to be considered disadvantaged.

 

[Trollol]

Uh, you're clearly disadvantaged.

 

[Trollol]

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

And that's relevant because...? You clearly don't understand the point of identifying those with disadvantaged backgrounds. Disadvantaged people, such as the OP, who show the same level of achievement as someone with all the luxuries they would want is clearly more responsible, more motivated, more competent, and more gifted than can be seen by their accomplishments alone. They also contribute to the diversity of a medical school class, and are more likely to help disadvantaged communities. Next time do a little research before making an obnoxious, d-bag comment, because you come off as not only a giant tool but a huge *****.

 

[Hifey]

I vote disadvantaged as well.

working while young and not having many clothes is hard to quantify as disadvantaged but having to drop out of high school and work is definitely disadvantaged.

 

[morning]

WHAT?

Absolutely, I'm crying. You've had a tough life you should absolutely be a physician.

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

More likely to complete medical school? Almost everyone completes medical school. No adcom is looking hardcore for an indication that the person will or won't complete.

Another vote for the OP being disadvantaged.

 

[goldendoor]

.

 

[Omni]

Boo Hoo, poor you!!
But in a serious tone, yes, I would consider your situation disadvantaged. Having a roof and enough food to survive doesn't necessarily mean you are well-off.

I have a friend who lives in a middle-class apartment in NY. These apartments are only for 2-3 people at max. His neighbors, on the other hand, are a family of 6 living in there. I'm not saying your situation is the same and forgive me if I offend you, but these people really seemed underprivileged and whenever working age came for the kids, they were sent to work somewhere to help support the family.

And honestly, you don't need to post here to get the opinions of immature kids who make half-ass comments, some of whom will never know what med school is. If you feel you were disadvantaged, then check that part of the application off.

And of course, this situation does make for a good read for the adcoms in you PS if you choose to write about it.

 

[SweetRain]

I don't know if you're considered "officially disadvantaged" or not, but here is one thing: Don't listen to the jerks who try to mock you for sharing your story.

Honestly, I have lived a priviledged life and never had to worry about money. While this is one thing I am most grateful about in my life, reading stories like yours makes me drop my head in shame.

I hope when you become a doctor, you will always remember that there still are people in the position that you once were in and do what you can do for them. This is why med schools want to hear your story and see what you can provide others from your experience. Many premeds want to "help people" but have no clue how to do that. If you have gone through hardship like that, you will probably have a better idea.

I am appalled that some people don't have the least amount of sympathy for you, they would never become a good doctor.

 

[orthomyxo]

WHAT?

Absolutely, I'm crying. You've had a tough life you should absolutely be a physician.

What about your disadvantage will make you more likely to complete medical school? Become a competent physician in society?

Dude, you are a complete ass.

OP, I would say that you are disadvantaged. Don't listen to the *****s on here that criticize you, their parents probably paid for everything they own.

 

[apumic]

OP, sounds to me like you qualify as disadvantaged. (Congratulations? j/k. But it could help your app out. Best of luck to you!)

 

[TriagePreMed]

What really tips you over to the other side is that you had to drop out and had to work to feed your mom.

Remember, a large number of applicants come from steady middle class (+) homes where they either never held jobs or did so just because their parents wanted them to learn valuable skills. At the same time, your disadvantaged status "competes" with people like me that grew up poor in a 3rd world country or like my friend that grew up on food stamps and saw a gang style assassination at age 10.

 

[ThaliaNox]

What really tips you over to the other side is that you had to drop out and had to work to feed your mom.

Remember, a large number of applicants come from steady middle class (+) homes where they either never held jobs or did so just because their parents wanted them to learn valuable skills. At the same time, your disadvantaged status "competes" with people like me that grew up poor in a 3rd world country or like my friend that grew up on food stamps and saw a gang style assassination at age 10.

There is no competition for "most disadvantaged." If there were, I'm sure we could find one applicant who had a truly horrible life, but instead we realize that there are degrees and levels of disadvantages, as well as different kinds of disadvantages. Disadvantaged status is a chance to give additional background on your life that doesn't flow with your personal statement, which is usually positive in nature.

Moral of the story is that just because someone worse off than you exists or someone better off than you claimed disadvantaged status it doesn't mean that all three of you don't qualify.