Could use some input

[deleted508066]

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I decided very late in my undergraduate years that I wanted to go to med school. Currently my gpa is a high 3.2, and I have a year left of undergraduate. I'm thinking about applying for a 1-2 year master's program that is for educationally or economically disadvantaged students to help them apply for med school, and I can't decide if I fall into this category or not.

When it comes to school, I definitely feel like I am at a disadvantage, but I'm not sure if it can be classified as either educational or economic. I'm female, but not a minority. My father and step-father both achieved associates degrees, but they are the only college graduates in my immediate family. I've received no financial, emotional, educational, etc. support or guidance of any kind from my family (I remember begging my mother to help pay for my SAT, that sort of thing happened a lot). I've worked two jobs all through college, and have been paying for college out of pocket and with what loans I can get. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, but have finally gotten it under control the last year or two. I went to a good high school that offered a couple AP classes, but I never really had any guidance for preparing for college. I'm also from a rural town.

Thanks for your help, guys. Any input is appreciated.

 

[dahassa]

Sounds to me like you fall into this category. A lot of the time, it comes down to either an essay (describing what obstacles you faced) and/or having to submit some documentation as proof (tax returns/W2 forms). For the essay part, it sounds like you had a tough time with finances and could easy write a good essay about your economic struggles.

 

[rueby25]

I decided very late in my undergraduate years that I wanted to go to med school. Currently my gpa is a high 3.2, and I have a year left of undergraduate. I'm thinking about applying for a 1-2 year master's program that is for educationally or economically disadvantaged students to help them apply for med school, and I can't decide if I fall into this category or not.

When it comes to school, I definitely feel like I am at a disadvantage, but I'm not sure if it can be classified as either educational or economic. I'm female, but not a minority. My father and step-father both achieved associates degrees, but they are the only college graduates in my immediate family. I've received no financial, emotional, educational, etc. support or guidance of any kind from my family (I remember begging my mother to help pay for my SAT, that sort of thing happened a lot). I've worked two jobs all through college, and have been paying for college out of pocket and with what loans I can get. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, but have finally gotten it under control the last year or two. I went to a good high school that offered a couple AP classes, but I never really had any guidance for preparing for college. I'm also from a rural town.

Thanks for your help, guys. Any input is appreciated.

It sounds like:
1) you should ask the university offering the program if you qualify
2) you know the answer to your question already

 

[deleted508066]

Sounds to me like you fall into this category. A lot of the time, it comes down to either an essay (describing what obstacles you faced) and/or having to submit some documentation as proof (tax returns/W2 forms). For the essay part, it sounds like you had a tough time with finances and could easy write a good essay about your economic struggles.

Thank you, this is very encouraging.

It sounds like:
1) you should ask the university offering the program if you qualify
2) you know the answer to your question already

You're probably right about asking. I guess I was just looking to see if I could get some sort of idea about whether I would look like an idiot or not for thinking I qualify.

Not sure what you're implying by number 2 though

 

[rueby25]

Not sure what you're implying by number 2 though

I was alluding to the fact that the way you've frames things (justifying everything that's happened to you) that you feel that you fall into this category. The only people that really matter for this program are 1) the people who decide if you qualify and 2) you, since it's your conscience you'd have to struggle with if you felt you were let into the program on false pretenses.

I know validation is helpful for the ego, but what do any of us know? Good luck with the program! FWIW, it sounds like you're an ideal candidate.

 

[deleted508066]

Well, I was trying to give an accurate image of my situation without discrediting how I feel. I don't think I have false pretenses, I'm just unsure where the line is drawn. My counselor recommended the program to me, and I'm just trying to figure out if it's a right fit for me. I've emailed one of the people in charge, but they didn't give me much more information than what I already gathered from their web site. I'm just looking for as much advise as possible, not an ego boost. I just want a chance to turn things around.