Did you guys fill out "Disadvantaged Status" on AADSAS application?

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sunvalley

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Members don't see this ad :)
It asks you yes or no if you think you are a disadvantaged student. I put no but I still filled out all the fields below.
 
Disadvantaged = Unemployed
You have to be REALLY poor. As in, the family made 20k a year with 5 kids.
 
@vendredi & iwannabadentist...

🙁 Come on people, really?! As if somehow disadvantaged = black. Not all black people are disadvantaged and not all disadvantaged people are black. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears as anyone who would make (or find humor in) such an inference clearly has a certain set of "ideas."
 
DivaDent said:
@vendredi & iwannabadentist...

🙁 Come on people, really?! As if somehow disadvantaged = black. Not all black people are disadvantaged and not all disadvantaged people are black. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears as anyone who would make (or find humor in) such an inference clearly has a certain set of "ideas."
Click to expand...

I agree. Those were some racist comments...👎
 
For those who put "no" for "Do you wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant by any of your designated dental schools..." and still put info below that:

It says there in English: If yes, please answer the following questions:...
Committees will doubt your RC score (or will reinforce their discontent of your already poor RC score)... Just saying
 
doc3232 said:
I agree. Those were some racist comments...👎
Click to expand...

I wasn't born yesterday. I know a white guilt induced word when I see one. "disadvantaged" and "unique life experiences" smell badly of white guilt.
 
I'm trying to understand why you would assume that in this case disadvantaged is referring to race. "Disadvantaged" and "unique life experiences" could be first-generation college student, physically disabled, low-income, foster child, etc. I think you're reading more into it. Disadvantages and unique life experiences don't only occur in the lives of black people. So should a white student from a low-income family not check the disadvantaged selection b/c the question is supposed to incite "white guilt" as you call it?
 
so if you got significant amount of financial aid during college, unemployed, live in a house w/ a total of 6 individuals, would that be disadvantaged? also, is it to your advantage to say that you're disadvantaged?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I think the individual schools will decide if you are disadvantaged or not no matter what you put in that section. Just my opinion.
 
I qualified for the Pell grant but I don't feel that it makes me at a worst situation than others. I'm leaving the section blank even with low income.
 
I'm not sure if I should fill out this section or not. I get pell grants and a bunch of other grants, but it is because I got married and my wife had a child our freshman year. Im the first one in my family to go to college, but I would feel kind of silly filling out most of these sections because my parents made a combined $100,000+ most my life and I group up in a nice area. So I basically have only been "disadvantaged" for the past 2 years of my life. I actually feel better off than most college students because my wife and I get enough combined grants to pay for all of our school plus living expenses with only taking out like $4,000 in subsidized loans each year. What do you guys think?
 
Ignore the comments on race. If you believe you are disadvantaged as far as finances are concerned, put it down. You have a chance to explain yourself when you apply for school loans or government loans. They have the final say as to who is considered disadvantaged or not.
 
Is disadvantaged only a matter of finances? Does anyone know of someone that marked off disadvantaged due to a physical disability?

I'm a disabled student, but I'm conflicted on whether or not I want to disclose that on the app. I don't really need them wondering whether I'll be able to survive school because I have an illness.
 
miedvied said:
Is disadvantaged only a matter of finances? Does anyone know of someone that marked off disadvantaged due to a physical disability?

I'm a disabled student, but I'm conflicted on whether or not I want to disclose that on the app. I don't really need them wondering whether I'll be able to survive school because I have an illness.
Click to expand...

It really depends on the disability. If it won't affect your ability to be a great dentist then mention it.


I think this is a decent definition of disadvantaged: Having trouble putting food on the table.
If you are getting lots of financial aid then I wouldn't claim to be disadvantaged.
 
miedvied said:
Is disadvantaged only a matter of finances? Does anyone know of someone that marked off disadvantaged due to a physical disability?

I'm a disabled student, but I'm conflicted on whether or not I want to disclose that on the app. I don't really need them wondering whether I'll be able to survive school because I have an illness.
Click to expand...

Do you have learning disabilities? You should always point out your strengths in the application and put more weight on what you can do. And if you have LD you should not put that on the application. Send me a private message if you want.
 
wizardsradio said:
I'm not sure if I should fill out this section or not. I get pell grants and a bunch of other grants, but it is because I got married and my wife had a child our freshman year. Im the first one in my family to go to college, but I would feel kind of silly filling out most of these sections because my parents made a combined $100,000+ most my life and I group up in a nice area. So I basically have only been "disadvantaged" for the past 2 years of my life. I actually feel better off than most college students because my wife and I get enough combined grants to pay for all of our school plus living expenses with only taking out like $4,000 in subsidized loans each year. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Unlike you my parents combined income was around 30k every year after taxes. Yes we are pretty damn broke. haha.
 
wizardsradio said:
I'm not sure if I should fill out this section or not. I get pell grants and a bunch of other grants, but it is because I got married and my wife had a child our freshman year. Im the first one in my family to go to college, but I would feel kind of silly filling out most of these sections because my parents made a combined $100,000+ most my life and I group up in a nice area. So I basically have only been "disadvantaged" for the past 2 years of my life. I actually feel better off than most college students because my wife and I get enough combined grants to pay for all of our school plus living expenses with only taking out like $4,000 in subsidized loans each year. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...


the application also tells you to fill out the disadvantaged stuff applying to up until age 18. so i don't think so.
 
also, the section where you're able to explain your disadvantaged status is as many characters as you're allowed for your personal statement! are they expecting some kind of saga/well crafted essay for this part too?
 
I am a Korean and have been here for 6 years. I have a green card (permanent resident). I have pretty good scores for all DAT sections besides RC (17).

Should I put myself as disadvantaged? Will it help me with my low RC score or expose my low RC even more?
 
Jongho Yoon said:
I am a Korean and have been here for 6 years. I have a green card (permanent resident). I have pretty good scores for all DAT sections besides RC (17).

Should I put myself as disadvantaged? Will it help me with my low RC score or expose my low RC even more?
Click to expand...

Were/Are you poor or do you have a disability that keeps you behind everyone else?
 
so just to clarify, if your family only has low income then you can put disadvantaged even though your area isnt underrepresented, etc?
 
I really don't understand this part at all. I'm an immigrant and my parents have low income. and through out my undergrad i always got finacial aid (pell grant)

does any one know anything about this? and also if you put disadvantaged, does that affect you positively or the other way around ..
 
miedvied said:
Is disadvantaged only a matter of finances? Does anyone know of someone that marked off disadvantaged due to a physical disability?

I'm a disabled student, but I'm conflicted on whether or not I want to disclose that on the app. I don't really need them wondering whether I'll be able to survive school because I have an illness.
Click to expand...


curious to what your disability is?
 
i searched specifically for this question because I have NO idea what to put for that section or to even put anything at all.

I was born in another country but moved here over 13 years ago. my family of 7 had it hard at first and sure our first couple of years in america were tough but now my parents are doing great and i dont presently consider myself disadvantaged....where does that leave me?? 😕
 
Did you suffer growing up? If No, then you should probably skip this section.
I think they also ask about whether or not you grew up in a community, where health-care was an issue or whether or not you had an entire army of siblings living with you, when your parents only made like 20K/yr. So, if none of this applies to you, then why fill out some bogus information?
 
nze82 said:
Well I think your disability is lack of proper attitude.
Click to expand...

Actually yuppers' attitude is right on the money. Personal health issues are not fodder for public discussion, and I thank him for his understanding that - his patients will appreciate it in the future.
 
hey guys, if English is my second language can i put that down.
 
This is a matter of perception, yea there are generic situations that are almost universally considered to be labeled "disadvantaged", but different experiences are felt differently by diff people. I think they want to hear what you feel is being disadvantaged and if have a good explanation of why you think you are disadvantaged.
 
I answered the first question that was required, but left the rest blank. I don't think it's necessary if I was privelaged and lived in an area where the drop out rates were really low. So there is no point to fill it out.
 
.
 
Last edited:
supermax said:
Am I consider "disadvantage"

I am south Asian, my dad works at gas station. He makes 25,000 an year. I belong to family of 7. We all renting one townhouse for last eight years. I don't have health insurance since I came to United States, its been eight years now. I am going to school through Stafford loan, grants and couple scholarships.
Click to expand...

If you have to ask, you're not.
 
Ooooh! How about me?! My great grandparents were imigrants and english was their second language!
 
How about my situation?

I suffered through years of plastic surgery until the doctor fixed my nose just right...

Oh and after I crashed my dad's Lambourghini, I was hospitalized in a private clinic for 1 year... Plus Im BROWN, as I come from an Eastern Italy lineage...?

Any advice would be appreciated?
 
dentisttobeDMD said:
so if you got significant amount of financial aid during college, unemployed, live in a house w/ a total of 6 individuals, would that be disadvantaged? also, is it to your advantage to say that you're disadvantaged?
Click to expand...

Poverty and disadvantage is like.. if your family qualified for government aid such as TANF, Medi-cal, etc. Like half the student population is on financial aide for college.. not really disadvantaged. A large number of full-time students are unemployed.. hence the financial aide... lol.. not exactly classified as disadvantaged.
 
lazybummy said:
😳😳😳😳 And i was really trying to help. My bad 😛
Click to expand...

hahaha, ya, a lot of people hurt themselves by claiming to be disadvantaged when they really aren't.
 
How about my situation.
1st. My whole family including myself (4 ppl) has to work at the nail shop (we do not own the nail shop) in the past 6 years and our income is between 27k to 30k/yr. It is that much because my sister and I both worked to help out.
2nd. I came over America without knowing any English. I started to learn how to speak and write English for 6 and half years.
I feel I am disadvantaged. But I don't know what others think?
 
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