Can I declare myself disadvantaged?

[ace425x]

So I was working on filling out my AMCAS application when I got to the question asking if I wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant. Beneath the question there was a link that says "How do I know if I should be considered disadvantaged?" So here is my question, I have never been economically or racially disadvantaged.. but one of the questions pulled up in the link said:

Underserved: Do you believe, based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers?

Now I have lived in a medically underserved community for practically my entire life. Does this mean that I can declare myself a disadvantaged applicant for growing up and living in a medically underserved community? Also is there any real benefit to doing so? Or would it be more trouble than its worth?

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[darklabel]

So I was working on filling out my AMCAS application when I got to the question asking if I wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant. Beneath the question there was a link that says "How do I know if I should be considered disadvantaged?" So here is my question, I have never been economically or racially disadvantaged.. but one of the questions pulled up in the link said:

Underserved: Do you believe, based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers?

Now I have lived in a medically underserved community for practically my entire life. Does this mean that I can declare myself a disadvantaged applicant for growing up and living in a medically underserved community? Also is there any real benefit to doing so? Or would it be more trouble than its worth?

Its usually for people economically, socially or other disadvantages (parent(s) dying, raised by single parent, etc). If you have a compelling story, go for it. Also, you're going to have to spin the story in a way that actually affected your life (any family members experienced trouble with getting care? etc). Just saying theres no doctors/health clinics around but you and your family never really needed any care isn't very compelling to Adcoms and may come off as disingenuous.

 

[steackncheese]

Its usually for people economically, socially or other disadvantages (parent(s) dying, raised by single parent, etc). If you have a compelling story, go for it. Also, you're going to have to spin the story in a way that actually affected your life (any family members experienced trouble with getting care? etc). Just saying theres no doctors/health clinics around but you and your family never really needed any care isn't very compelling to Adcoms and may come off as disingenuous.

This counts as disadvantaged? Isn't like almost half the US raised by single parents?

When I think disadvantaged, I think food stamps, living in a car, etc.

 

[ace425x]

Its usually for people economically, socially or other disadvantages (parent(s) dying, raised by single parent, etc). If you have a compelling story, go for it. Also, you're going to have to spin the story in a way that actually affected your life (any family members experienced trouble with getting care? etc). Just saying theres no doctors/health clinics around but you and your family never really needed any care isn't very compelling to Adcoms and may come off as disingenuous.

Yea thats what I was worried about. I don't want to sound disingenuous because that would end up hurting me more than it would help. Haha ironically my parents are both healthcare providers here in this 'medically underserved community', so I've always had my healthcare needs taken care of without really ever needing to go to the clinic or hospital.

 

[darklabel]

This counts as disadvantaged? Isn't like almost half the US raised by single parents?

When I think disadvantaged, I think food stamps, living in a car, etc.

I've read stories of people putting in "their grandparents died" under disadvantaged. And I don't know exactly what AMCAs accepts. The way I see it, if you qualify for FAP, you can usually put you are disadvantaged.

Yea thats what I was worried about. I don't want to sound disingenuous because that would end up hurting me more than it would help. Haha ironically my parents are both healthcare providers here in this 'medically underserved community', so I've always had my healthcare needs taken care of without really ever needing to go to the clinic or hospital.

If I were you, I wouldn't put it down then. Its better to be safe than sorry.

 

[ilikevegetables]

Yeah, I am in sort of a similar situation to you and I didn't mark myself as disadvantaged for all the reasons above. I agree with darklabel - I wouldn't do it unless you actually can talk about what disadvantages you had and how they affected your life/path to med school.

 

[MedPR]

Yeah, I am in sort of a similar situation to you and I didn't mark myself as disadvantaged for all the reasons above. I agree with darklabel - I wouldn't do it unless you actually can talk about what disadvantages you had and how they affected your life/path to med school.

same

 

[Stumpyman]

I've always been under the impression that it's more to do with your economic situation-- not just currently, but your upbringing in regards to finances as well.

 

[gyngyn]

Even a child of privilege in an an underserved area can absolutely talk about what they have learned from this experience. Describing themselves as disadvantaged would not be recommended, however.

I would especially not recommend this for the children of physicians, though I must admit that I have seen it on more than one occasion!

 

[Ashley1989]

Quite a while ago I remember LizzyM weighing in on this and I think I remember one example she used was something along the lines of coming from a low income household and having to work a full time job while in school to support the family which might account for less ECs etc. That's all that I can remember and if I remembered wrong please forgive me, LizzyM!

I was always under the impression that it had to do with certain economic situations, the hardships that can arise from those situations and how those hardships may have effected your application in ways your other classmates do not have to worry about.

 

[steackncheese]

I also hate the idea that my crappy low-scoioeconomic background somehow needs to influence my decision to pursue a career as a physician. It absolutely did, but for a different reason...$$$$

 

[ace425x]

Haha I'll bump that steackncheese xD

 

[caianya]

When does the disadvantage have to start to count? Elementary school? College? And what's the income cutoff?

This sounds like an extremely hard essay to do without sounding like a whinging white girl. If I had to do this, my gut reaction would be to just write two or three sentences about what happened and be done with it. Would that be the right approach?

 

[LizzyM]

When does the disadvantage have to start to count? Elementary school? College? And what's the income cutoff?

This sounds like an extremely hard essay to do without sounding like a whinging white girl. If I had to do this, my gut reaction would be to just write two or three sentences about what happened and be done with it. Would that be the right approach?

My understanding of this item is that it was meant to identify applicants whose life from 0-18 years was lacking in resources (good schools, afterschool activities, travel) enjoyed by most youngsters who end up in college such that upon arriving in college the applicant was at a disadvantage in comparision to college peers.

I think that the "do you come from an underserved area" is a question that is meant to identify people from underserved areas who might go back to those areas but God knows, the reason people from those places want to go to medical school is to get out of those towns (I exaggerate -- but I think it is true more often than not). And yes, I have seen the offsprin of a physician in an underserved area self-identify as "disadvantaged" for having lived in an underserved area. Long story short... it doesn't help that applicant and they may even take a bit of a hit for being a whiner.

If you not only had a single parent home but if you never knew the name of your other parent, your parent was a teen when you were born, you doubled up with relatives or were homeless, you were in foster care, etc, etc you might not be considered a whiner if you self-identify as disadvantaged compared with other college kids.

 

[Xenops]

I'm going to hijack the thread a little bit--if you DO qualify as economically disadvantaged, you did have free school lunch, food stamps and Medicaid--why put it on an application? Would it actually help you get into schools?

 

[xGeorgettex]

My understanding of this item is that it was meant to identify applicants whose life from 0-18 years was lacking in resources (good schools, afterschool activities, travel) enjoyed by most youngsters who end up in college such that upon arriving in college the applicant was at a disadvantage in comparison to college peers.

If you not only had a single parent home but if you never knew the name of your other parent, your parent was a teen when you were born, you doubled up with relatives or were homeless, you were in foster care, etc, etc you might not be considered a whiner if you self-identify as disadvantaged compared with other college kids.

I didn't self-identify on my last app, though this thread makes me wonder if I should in the future. Scenario for you Lizzy.

I grew up with both parents, but my mother was diagnosed with a neurological illness when I was a toddler and was completely disabled/bed-ridden by my teens. My father was her full time care taker working part time from home and my grandfather was supporting her medical bills and our regular ones (mortgage, etc.). She passed of cancer while I was an underclassmen in college unfortunately. My father and I are better off financially now thanks to insurance money and I'm hardly looking for handouts, but it did surprise me how many of my interviewers must not have read my PS at all given the number who asked me relentlessly about poor grades for two consecutive semesters only to be surprised when I told them my mother had gotten cancer/died then.

My understanding of this section based on what you've said is to explain why you had circumstances others didn't that affected your performance, yes? Would it be acceptable to outline this on my next app or should I skip it altogether?

 

[darklabel]

I'm going to hijack the thread a little bit--if you DO qualify as economically disadvantaged, you did have free school lunch, food stamps and Medicaid--why put it on an application? Would it actually help you get into schools?

It would incline the school to look at your application in a different light. As said, if you've grown up alone, single/no parent or been dirt poor your whole life then is it fair to compare that applicant to one who came from a stable home with more opportunities? I mean a student who earned a 3.5 despite such circumstances is much more amazing (to me) than an applicant with a 3.7 who had wealthy parents and not much adversity throughout their lives.

I'm not saying it should be a free ticket to med school, but it at least gives people a chance to explain terrible circumstances so that the school can at least give them a chance (such as an interview). But saying something like "my grandfather died" or "My family makes 75k, so they're not rich at all" aren't valid reasons to put it and usually people shouldn't put anything or it will just hurt their chances.

 

[BABSstudent]

Edit: Disadvantaged status doesn't make the difference you would expect it to make. Don't expect it to make your application an instant success or to make up for a flaw.

 

[ace425x]

So you're disadvantaged? My stepdad made meth in my house and made my mom move out with my brother and I. We were homeless for a month. I marked disadvantaged but still only got a few interviews from mid tier medical schools. I also have a 3.7 and a 32. I even applied early. Not to sound rude, but I thought that story would get me an interview with Harvard or something. Nope.

Personally if I can get into any MD school I would be more than happy. I know very well that no sob story is going to get me into Harvard. This whole application / interview process is a competitive game that we all must play. I was just contemplating the possibility of getting a slightly better step up on the competition 😉

 

[Aerus]

I'm going to hijack the thread a little bit--if you DO qualify as economically disadvantaged, you did have free school lunch, food stamps and Medicaid--why put it on an application? Would it actually help you get into schools?

Would free school lunch actually count as disadvantaged? Food stamps, I can see. But I feel like a lot of people qualify for free school lunch. Or is it because I'm just used to being around tons of people who qualify and it becomes normal for me?

 

[Xenops]

Would free school lunch actually count as disadvantaged? Food stamps, I can see. But I feel like a lot of people qualify for free school lunch. Or is it because I'm just used to being around tons of people who qualify and it becomes normal for me?

Well, in conjunction with the other two, yes. 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

Would free school lunch actually count as disadvantaged? Food stamps, I can see. But I feel like a lot of people qualify for free school lunch. Or is it because I'm just used to being around tons of people who qualify and it becomes normal for me?

Eligibility for free lunch includes kids whose families get food stamps and temporary state aid as well as foster children and runaways. There are also some low income working families who qualify but I think that the eligibility is written such that those families also qualify for SNAP (food stamps).

A kid might not qualify for gov't assistance (illegal at that time, but holding a green card now, for example) but certainly grew up "disadvantaged" so saying, "if you didn't get food stamps you weren't really disadvantaged" doesn't really cut it, IMHO.

Some schools may give a boost to some applicants who self-identify as disadvantaged but others may ignore the information or even find it annoying if it seems unjustified and whiney.

 

[caianya]

..........................

 

[caianya]

Some schools may give a boost to some applicants who self-identify as disadvantaged but others may ignore the information or even find it annoying if it seems unjustified and whiney.

Is there any way to determine which is which?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Is there any way to determine which is which?

Unlikely, disadvantaged is about as subjective as the rest of this process once you have the other 'requirements'. One AdCom might see your situation from a standpoint of empathy, another might think you're being whiny. If it seems like it'd come off as more the latter, then I'd advise against checking that box.

 

[gyngyn]

I have seen disadvantaged checked by applicants who claimed: short stature, slow reader, multiple re-applications(!), surrounded by Mexicans...

I advise caution.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I have seen disadvantaged checked by applicants who claimed: short stature, slow reader, multiple re-applications(!), surrounded by Mexicans...

I advise caution.

Considering the cost of applying, I think this one has some merit. 😛

 

[JFK90787]

I think this is tricky because 'disadvantaged' in the realm of medical students vs the realm of the real world are very different. Most medical students come from an upper middle-class two-parent household where at least 1 parent has a graduate-level degree. Most of them had no significant hurdles in their educational background, and received an abundance of academic and emotional support and guidance throughout high school and college. Most have never had to work to contribute to household income, or to put themselves through college.

Do you deviate significantly from this? Then you might have a case to label yourself as disadvantaged. I was thinking to put myself as disadvantaged, but I decided to save that stuff for my secondary diversity essays 😛

 

[753915]

When I applied to pharmacy school, I used this section to explain the gap on my education that resulted from financial issues within my family. I had to work to pay off the tuition (private school) before I could unlock my transcripts to go back/transfer.

I would use it to explain any issue in which you have had to stop school or overcome a rough patch in life.

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[ace425x]

I have seen disadvantaged checked by applicants who claimed: short stature, slow reader, multiple re-applications(!), surrounded by Mexicans...

I advise caution.

Lol well from that point of view everything is a disadvantage in one form or another. As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side.

 

[ace425x]

I guess after reading all of this it brings up another question. What specific time period does it refer to? For example, lets say a child grew up in a well to do family and had their needs provided while growing up, but then move off to college and are dumped entirely to their own devices. Would you be considered disadvantaged if you struggled through college and had to forego eating on occaision just to be able to get by? Or does this only refer only children who grew up in economically disadvantaged families?

 

[JFK90787]

I guess after reading all of this it brings up another question. What specific time period does it refer to? For example, lets say a child grew up in a well to do family and had their needs provided while growing up, but then move off to college and are dumped entirely to their own devices. Would you be considered disadvantaged if you struggled through college and had to forego eating on occaision just to be able to get by? Or does this only refer only children who grew up in economically disadvantaged families?

It refers to 1-18 typically. From the little personal information you have provided about yourself in this thread, you are not 'disadvantaged',and it sounds like you are just fishing for reasons to include something in that part of your app. Move on.

 

[ace425x]

It refers to 1-18 typically. From the little personal information you have provided about yourself in this thread, you are not 'disadvantaged',and it sounds like you are just fishing for reasons to include something in that part of your app. Move on.

Well in the beginning I was fishing for ways to make my app look more appealing. This was more of a question of just genuine curiosity.

 

[Guero]

Unlikely, disadvantaged is about as subjective as the rest of this process once you have the other 'requirements'. One AdCom might see your situation from a standpoint of empathy, another might think you're being whiny. If it seems like it'd come off as more the latter, then I'd advise against checking that box.

Yup, it's amazing how differently people view disadvantaged. I marked disadvantaged and explained it in terms of financial, educational, and familial terms. One interviewer actually sighed after reading my explanation and replied, "Well, I have no problem with you marking yourself as disadvantaged." I was initially afraid to mark it, but felt it was legitimate and greatly affected my overall application. It's been a talking point in several of my interviews.

Has it actually helped? Well, some of my interviewers have explicitly told me that they appreciated the Horatio Alger-type story, while others mention nothing and probably didn't even notice. I doubt it affects the committee's impression overall. If you genuinely feel you've been disadvantaged in one or several ways, mark it and explain yourself. Just be prepared to defend yourself. One interviewer thought he had the wrong room because he assumed I was Hispanic. 🙄

I guess after reading all of this it brings up another question. What specific time period does it refer to? For example, lets say a child grew up in a well to do family and had their needs provided while growing up, but then move off to college and are dumped entirely to their own devices. Would you be considered disadvantaged if you struggled through college and had to forego eating on occaision just to be able to get by? Or does this only refer only children who grew up in economically disadvantaged families?

I focused mainly on my time as a minor but also mentioned my college years, which I felt were very relevant to my application. I think this will differ from person to person; but again, if you feel you were legitimately disadvantaged, I'd say mark and explain. That said, I'm sure there are people out there that are clueless and will inappropriately mark that option, belied only by their explanation.

So much of this process is pure opinion and luck with outcomes that will vary from person to person and school to school.

 

[anguisette]

So I was working on filling out my AMCAS application when I got to the question asking if I wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant. Beneath the question there was a link that says "How do I know if I should be considered disadvantaged?" So here is my question, I have never been economically or racially disadvantaged.. but one of the questions pulled up in the link said:

Underserved: Do you believe, based on your own experiences or the experiences of family and friends, that the area in which you grew up was adequately served by the available health care professionals? Were there enough physicians, nurses, hospitals, clinics, and other health care service providers?

Now I have lived in a medically underserved community for practically my entire life. Does this mean that I can declare myself a disadvantaged applicant for growing up and living in a medically underserved community? Also is there any real benefit to doing so? Or would it be more trouble than its worth?

I think you can report that you lived in a medically underserved community without marking disadvantaged.

 

[LizzyM]

I think you can report that you lived in a medically underserved community without marking disadvantaged.

I think that AMCAS marks it automatically if your county is underserved. I see little (U) and (R) all the time for underserved and rural.

 

[Guero]

I think that AMCAS marks it automatically if your county is underserved. I see little (U) and (R) all the time for underserved and rural.

Good point! I totally forgot about that detail.

 

[JFK90787]

Does anyone know if there is a 'disadvantaged' essay for residency apps? I am regretting in retrospect not using it for my AMCAS :-/

 

[HopefulSlav]

Its usually for people economically, socially or other disadvantages (parent(s) dying, raised by single parent, etc). If you have a compelling story, go for it. Also, you're going to have to spin the story in a way that actually affected your life (any family members experienced trouble with getting care? etc). Just saying theres no doctors/health clinics around but you and your family never really needed any care isn't very compelling to Adcoms and may come off as disingenuous.

What if one has a parent that was in the Navy for 30+ years (SEAL for 20) and needs help around the house? Various things, really. Nothing in particular.

 

[drdoom12]

In trying not to appear "whiny," I was wondering if my situation could feasibly be viewed as disadvantaged. I grew up in a very rural and medically underserved area. My father, a coal miner/construction worker, died when I was 8 from black lung disease. After that, I was raised pretty much solely by my mother, an LPN, until I was around 16 years old. Afterwards, she started a relationship with a very financially stable individual. Present day, my family is very financially stable, but this was not the case for a very large part of my childhood, where I spent most of my days with grandparents or other relatives while my mother worked to pay the bills.

 

[steackncheese]

Wow some of you guys are whiny as hell. Anyone can find some niche situation in their life that sucks, and spin that into a story. The AMCAS criteria for disadvantaged gave examples of food stamps, government assistance, and decreased access to education - basically, did you grow up in something like the ghetto? If so, then go ahead and talk about it. If not, stop fishing for a sob story. It makes you look PATHETIC.

 

[Guero]

In trying not to appear "whiny," I was wondering if my situation could feasibly be viewed as disadvantaged. I grew up in a very rural and medically underserved area. My father, a coal miner/construction worker, died when I was 8 from black lung disease. After that, I was raised pretty much solely by my mother, an LPN, until I was around 16 years old. Afterwards, she started a relationship with a very financially stable individual. Present day, my family is very financially stable, but this was not the case for a very large part of my childhood, where I spent most of my days with grandparents or other relatives while my mother worked to pay the bills.

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. You definitely have a unique situation. Did you and your mom ever need food stamps or any other social services? If so, if say definitely. Otherwise, I have no idea. Maybe Lizzy can comment? Good luck. I'm glad to hear things improved for you and your family.

 

[novafan3000]

How does working throughout high school/college to support one's self fit into the category? I don't think I'd qualify for FAP but my parents refused to help me throughout college and it was a very humbling experience and even now I have to give up service projects in order to pay my school bills. Is there a way I present this to adcoms for my lack of long term service project commitments?

 

[vadeem]

Don't mean to hijack, but I have a question concerning being "disadvantaged". I personally have dealt with physical problems (not necessarily disabilities , I'm still physically able to lead an essentially normal life) that have caused me mild to severe chronic pain for the past 5-6 years of my life. Like I said, I'm physically able to get things done but the pain has had a definite effect psychologically. The adversity, in my eyes, has made me a much stronger person. I'm 19 years old, so I definitely feel that I had a rough upbringing in comparison to the average medical school applicant. What advantages would I have if I claim myself to be disadvantaged? I can most definitely talk about this experience in interviews. I also live in a single-parent household, where my caregiver makes a very modest income.

 

[LizzyM]

In trying not to appear "whiny," I was wondering if my situation could feasibly be viewed as disadvantaged. I grew up in a very rural and medically underserved area. My father, a coal miner/construction worker, died when I was 8 from black lung disease. After that, I was raised pretty much solely by my mother, an LPN, until I was around 16 years old. Afterwards, she started a relationship with a very financially stable individual. Present day, my family is very financially stable, but this was not the case for a very large part of my childhood, where I spent most of my days with grandparents or other relatives while my mother worked to pay the bills.

Disadvantaged related to ages 0-18. It sounds like things were bad for you from 8-16 and maybe before the age of 8 if your dad was sick and unable to work. Did you feel behind your peers when you got to college because your school system k-12 was substandard? Did you go without basic things like needed school supplies because your family was destitute during grade school & jr high? If so, you might describe yourself as disadvantaged. If not, your parents situations can still be described in the application (living? y/n, highest educational attainment, occupation) and if you mention your dad's death in your personal statement or in a secondary, it will be "out there" without having to be part of a "disadvantaged essay".

 

[novafan3000]

How does working throughout high school/college to support one's self fit into the category? I don't think I'd qualify for FAP but my parents refused to help me financially throughout college and it was a very humbling experience and even now I have to give up service projects in order to pay my school bills. Is there a way I present this to adcoms for my lack of long term service project commitments?

 

[sonofmama]

My friend's apartment only had one room so he slept in the same bed as her mom, had to boil the tap water because it wasn't safe to drink, had to use a squat toilet, and didn't always have enough to eat. But then for high school he got a good scholarship, somehow learned English really fast, and did great ever since.

The catch is that none of the bad stuff happened in the U.S. and it isn't even that bad for that part of the world. Do you think that still counts as disadvantaged?

 

[LizzyM]

How does working throughout high school/college to support one's self fit into the category? I don't think I'd qualify for FAP but my parents refused to help me financially throughout college and it was a very humbling experience and even now I have to give up service projects in order to pay my school bills. Is there a way I present this to adcoms for my lack of long term service project commitments?

Experience section: Employment, non-military. Hours per week, start & end dates.

 

[LizzyM]

My friend's apartment only had one room so he slept in the same bed as her mom, had to boil the tap water because it wasn't safe to drink, had to use a squat toilet, and didn't always have enough to eat. But then for high school he got a good scholarship, somehow learned English really fast, and did great ever since.

The catch is that none of the bad stuff happened in the U.S. and it isn't even that bad for that part of the world. Do you think that still counts as disadvantaged?

No. Obviously was doing well enough to get a good scholarship for HS and arrived at college ready to rock it.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

No. Obviously was doing well enough to get a good scholarship for HS and arrived at college ready to rock it.

How does that make a person less disadvantaged though? I mean, if a kid had their father die and their mother become severely disabled leaving the kid caring for their 5 younger siblings while the family lived off of nothing but disability checks and whatever the student could bring home from the full time job they worked in addition to attending their inner city ghetto high school, but the student still nonetheless managed to graduate valedictorian and go onto Yale for undergrad with a full scholarship where they proceed to get a 4.0 GPA, that isn't disadvantaged? It seems odd to say that a person wasn't disadvantaged just because they came out okay even if it meant they were busting their butts their whole lives just to be at the same level of students who were slacking off until they got into college.