Did I screw myself with this activity description?

[jd989898]

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So on one of my 'most meaningful' activity elaborations, I basically talked about my long term involvement with a non-clinical volunteering gig. The position involves tutoring people who are behind in their education usually due to financial/personal/family circumstances. I basically emphasized how my privileged upbringing/education put me in a position to help and compelled me to give what I was able to to those who didn't have the same gifts that I was given. In retrospect I'm afraid this was a mistake. I keep reading about adcoms viewing those with disadvantaged circumstances way more favorably. Obviously I had to put my parents occupations and my living situations/income on my app so adcoms should be able to tell I had an easy childhood compared to most. IMO, anyone in my position should acknowledge their good fortune and focus their energy on using their resources to help others rather than downplay their advantages in life. Opinions?

 

[whomikejoneswhomikejones]

Bruh just apply Caribbean, you're screwed /s.

No srsly, though. It depends how you worded it. "I was very fortunate to go through an educational experience that not many got to experience growing up. Throughout my collegiate career, I decided to use these experiences and give back to those who were not as fortunate. This experience opened my eyes and showed me that educational training was not only for my personal development, but was a tool to help the community" sounds a lot better than, "Using my expertise and well valued education, I was able to bestow literacy upon others with dire circumstances". The latter sounds douchey, the former doesn't.

Think about it: you're applying to schools where you're going to get some pretty heavy duty privileged education. A lot of people where I grow up don't even get to go to community colleges after graduation. It's not because they're stupid, but they have personal circumstances that abridges their education. The adcoms know you're going to get some heavy duty education if you get in, and you should use that heavy duty education to serve others.

 

[jlh19]

Did you already submit? If so, quit overthinking it now. What's done is done. You can talk more about it later on in secondaries and possibly interviews. I don't think they'll hold it against you for growing up with parents that make money. You obviously sound like you recognize that not everyone is as fortunate and want to give back. Don't overthink things.

 

[Ulgarmoose]

Don't word it as if you were holier than those you helped and you're totally fine IMO

 

[Goro]

Look up the definition of noblesse oblige, because you're doing exactly that.

So on one of my 'most meaningful' activity elaborations, I basically talked about my long term involvement with a non-clinical volunteering gig. The position involves tutoring people who are behind in their education usually due to financial/personal/family circumstances. I basically emphasized how my privileged upbringing/education put me in a position to help and compelled me to give what I was able to to those who didn't have the same gifts that I was given. In retrospect I'm afraid this was a mistake. I keep reading about adcoms viewing those with disadvantaged circumstances way more favorably. Obviously I had to put my parents occupations and my living situations/income on my app so adcoms should be able to tell I had an easy childhood compared to most. IMO, anyone in my position should acknowledge their good fortune and focus their energy on using their resources to help others rather than downplay their advantages in life. Opinions?

 

[MrLogan13]

You submitted already, don't worry about it.