% Disadvantaged at top schools?

[labrat10]

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As an economically disadvantaged applicant, I am wondering if anyone knows how many of us there are in med schools, especially top med schools (Harvard, JHU, WashU, Penn, Stanford, etc). I would assume UCSF and UWashington probably have more than other schools since they are public.

Since I assume the percentage of low-income students is low in top schools, would it be advantageous to point that out in interviews for these schools? Also, my family's tax forms recently came back and the income was much lower than what I had listed on the AMCAS primary application. Should I send a quick note about that to medical schools?

I don't want to make my low-income status stand out for me, since I do have a high GPA at a top college and many unique extracurricular activities and awards. However, if it helps me in any way, I would make sure that med schools know that my parents earn less than $10,000 a year.

 

[Morsetlis]

However, if it helps me in any way, I would make sure that med schools know that my parents earn less than $10,000 a year.

It would. The only problem is how to word it properly in a letter of update. Maybe something like, "it would be quite stressful to spend a year without schooling and financial aid. I hope the university will give special considerations to my unique situation."

 

[LizzyM]

Many of the top private schools are able to make financial aid offers to make med school affordable for low income students. That said, if you haven't yet interviewed at the schools you've listed the chances that an update letter will change things is slim given that interview season is over at most schools.

 

[labrat10]

I don't think my original question was answered. Does anyone know (Adcom members?) how many students in a medical school class are economically disadvantaged (below poverty level)?

I had interviews at JHU, Harvard, Penn and some other top 30 schools and was wondering if my chances of getting in will be improved due to my family poverty. I am still in shock that I got interviews at such top schools. My MCAT is by no means good, but I do have an amazing GPA and a lot of awards/ activities. Also, I want to see if there are other people on the same boat as I am since I don't want to be the only person in med school who is extremely impoverished. 😛

 

[naijaboi]

I don't think my original question was answered. Does anyone know (Adcom members?) how many students in a medical school class are economically disadvantaged (below poverty level)?

I had interviews at JHU, Harvard, Penn and some other top 30 schools and was wondering if my chances of getting in will be improved due to my family poverty. I am still in shock that I got interviews at such top schools. My MCAT is by no means good, but I do have an amazing GPA and a lot of awards/ activities. Also, I want to see if there are other people on the same boat as I am since I don't want to be the only person in med school who is extremely impoverished. 😛

I am extremely impoverished. You do not need to send them an update about your family's tax information. Did you write the disadvantaged essay? If you did, I am sure they will take that into account when making their decision. And yes, there are several impoverished students who get to the top schools every year. And if the top three schools gave you an interview invite, I am sure that they must have loved your application and they might have taken your family's financial situation int o account.

 

[Trexate]

Are there any people that came from impoverished backgrounds that don't want that to be considered?

My family's income growing up was Social Security Disability. I would never mention this if not required to do so. I would never want to be given special consideration because of my socioeconomic status. Maybe it's a pride thing, but does anyone else have this same mentality?

 

[LizzyM]

Are there any people that came from impoverished backgrounds that don't want that to be considered?

My family's income growing up was Social Security Disability. I would never mention this if not required to do so. I would never want to be given special consideration because of my socioeconomic status. Maybe it's a pride thing, but does anyone else have this same mentality?

You are not required to self-identify as "disadvantaged". There are some schools that are attempting to diversity the student body by seeking to encourage applicants who grew up in poverty. This is one of the reasons why fee waivers are available and why the "disadvantaged" section of the AMCAS application exists.

It is hard to say what proportion of the student body grew up in poverty is they aren't required to self-identify and so that's your answer, Labrat10.

 

[Trexate]

You are not required to self-identify as "disadvantaged". There are some schools that are attempting to diversity the student body by seeking to encourage applicants who grew up in poverty. This is one of the reasons why fee waivers are available and why the "disadvantaged" section of the AMCAS application exists.

I know you don't have to self-identify, and I understand why schools do this. I'm wondering if there are any like minded individuals on these boards that would/did not self-identify because they don't want special consideration.

 

[WhizoMD]

I know you don't have to self-identify, and I understand why schools do this. I'm wondering if there are any like minded individuals on these boards that would/did not self-identify because they don't want special consideration.

I don't really see the point in this; with the process being as competitive as it is, it seems foolish not to take every advantage that you're given.
acceptance/scholarships>>>>pride IMO.

 

[Morsetlis]

Some people value pride above other things.

 

[MilkmanAl]

...and will have a seriously miserable time when their third year of med school rolls around.

 

[Trexate]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

 

[Morsetlis]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

👍

 

[LizzyM]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

The deck has been stacked against you. Why change now? Keep in mind that less than 50% of all applicants are admitted. Don't give the adcom the whole picture out of your own pride but keep in mind that you might not be offered admission because the incomplete picture isn't enough to capture the interest of the adcom.

Remember, adcom members will take 20-30 minutes to read your application and the highest honor is to have them say, "I'd like to meet this one. Recommend interview." Without that interview invite, you are no where.

 

[Ischemic]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

pride cometh before the fall ...

 

[siliso]

The point of looking at disadvantaged status isn't that people in poverty can't hack it. It's that whatever you've achieved, it's all the more impressive if you did not come from a background that greased the wheels for you.

 

[mipp0]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

I grew up incredibly poor and I won't mention it either.

 

[harvman11]

I can definitely understand why someone wouldn't want it to be considered, but as someone who did apply as a disadvantaged student I have a different perspective.

A large portion of my life has been shaped by growing up in a poor, single-parent household. A lot of the activities I participate in reflect this upbringing, and it's a major reason for my desire to go into medicine and research. I wanted adcoms to see who I was, and then they could determine if I was a good fit for the mission of the school. Why would I intentionally hide something that could help them make this decision?

I admit that I'm a very proud person, and part of me definitely wanted to see if I was "good enough" without checking that box and writing that essay, but in the end it's been a huge part of making me who I am today and I think it's important for the adcoms to see the whole person when making their decisions.

 

[Trexate]

I can definitely understand why someone wouldn't want it to be considered, but as someone who did apply as a disadvantaged student I have a different perspective.

A large portion of my life has been shaped by growing up in a poor, single-parent household. A lot of the activities I participate in reflect this upbringing, and it's a major reason for my desire to go into medicine and research. I wanted adcoms to see who I was, and then they could determine if I was a good fit for the mission of the school. Why would I intentionally hide something that could help them make this decision?

I admit that I'm a very proud person, and part of me definitely wanted to see if I was "good enough" without checking that box and writing that essay, but in the end it's been a huge part of making me who I am today and I think it's important for the adcoms to see the whole person when making their decisions.

Whatever floats your boat. I was inquiring if there was anyone out there like me, which apparently there is. I never thought people would be so reactive to the idea of not declaring yourself 'disadvantaged' even if you were. I'm not saying you're wrong to bring it up. I was merely saying that I don't like using it to my advantage, because I don't think it should be considered unless it had a profound impact on one's interest in medicine.

mipp0, I missed you during my sabbatical from SDN.

LizzyM, I appreciate you looking out for my best interests. That being said, I've already applied and been accepted. I also managed to do it without checking the 'disadvantaged' box.

And to the others that are lecturing me on pride... don't hate because I have something that would give me a leg up on the competition and I choose not to use it.

 

[labrat10]

I don't know why people would not want to self-identify as poor if they are poor. Given that admission to ANY med school is extremely competitive, you should take advantage of anything that can possibly help you. If you had a 1st author publication, would you avoid mentioning that? Publications, minority status, disadvantaged status... they all give you an edge in this process, so mention them if they are part of your profile!

 

[randombetch]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

Whatever dude. URMs get special treatment, legacies get special treatment (in undergrad admissions), and in my opinion, considering one's socioeconomic background seems way more logical.

I've overcome many, many obstacles to get to where I am, and I'm not going to feel guilty for being recognized for it.

 

[Tutmos]

Being conservative at a liberal school in a liberal state is a disadvantage, where was I supposed to note that on the AMCAS? 😛

 

[Morsetlis]

Being conservative at a liberal school in a liberal state is a disadvantage, where was I supposed to note that on the AMCAS? 😛

Right in the part where I note that being gay in a society of 95%+ straight people is a disadvantage.

 

[Trexate]

I've overcome many, many obstacles to get to where I am, and I'm not going to feel guilty for being recognized for it.

It's fine. L2Read.

Right in the part where I note that being gay in a society of 95%+ straight people is a disadvantage.

👍
I think this is way more significant than being poor. But I thought it was 1 in 10?

 

[floridakmm]

Or they don't want to be given preferential treatment because they grew up poor...

I don't need a special set of rules in order to succeed just because my parents didn't have money.

I went to a rich college (that is my opinion) and yes it was a huge culture shock when i get there and at times still is. Could not do volunteer work the first couple of years bc of working 20-30hrs/week (no car so add 2 hours each to get there and back with public transportation and luckily i live somewhere with decent public transportation), take mcat review course, buy more than a couple practice tests, take classes in the summer, buy books for classes, study abroad (this takes some $ to get there and why make life harder by having to get a job in a new country when i have one here), etc. So from my perspective, I felt i wanted adcoms to know why i hadn't done some of the things my fellow class mates were doing and not think i just chose not to bc of laziness or whatever. If i had gone to a different school (one with less rich kids), I may feel differently. And doesn't everyones upbringing contribute to their decision to eneter medical field in some way...

On a side note, sometimes i think ppl at these top tier school are here bc they had all the opportunity to be smart and succeed and really are not that innately smart... but someone's parents have to pay my tuition

 

[royalewthcheese]

Right in the part where I note that being gay in a society of 95%+ straight people is a disadvantage.

What a great response!

👍
I think this is way more significant than being poor. But I thought it was 1 in 10?

Yeah, I think you're right... we're taking over!



This argument has me thinking. Why are people proud of not letting adcoms know as much about the applicant as possible? Do you not do the optional essays on secondaries either? uhdont geddit

 

[Trexate]

This argument has me thinking. Why are people proud of not letting adcoms know as much about the applicant as possible? Do you not do the optional essays on secondaries either? uhdont geddit

I want to be seen for what I have accomplished, not a sob story.

 

[royalewthcheese]

I want to be seen for what I have accomplished, not a sob story.

oh ok, I see where you're coming from. Congrats on getting accepted anyway👍

 

[Narmerguy]

I want to be seen for what I have accomplished, not a sob story.

What's your point? You claim you don't want to take any credit for what you've done yet you continually ram down everyone's throat on this thread that you're from a disadvantaged background and you don't intend to take credit for it. Clearly the majority of people believe you are letting your pride inhibit your options in life. Clearly you don't give a damn. So why keep

 

[Trexate]

What's your point? You claim you don't want to take any credit for what you done but you continually ram down everyone's throats on this thread that you're from a disadvantaged background and you don't intend to take credit for it. Clearly the majority of people believe you are letting your pride inhibit your options in life. Clearly you don't give a damn. So why keep

My point was originally to see if there was anyone here that felt the way I did. I see that at least one person does. The rest has been defending/explaining the way I feel against the jackals who can't fathom the idea of not playing into people's sympathies. Perhaps if they would stop ramming down my throat the idea that I should be treated differently because of how poor I was, I would stop ramming down theirs that I chose not to use something that would have given me an advantage over them in the applicant pool.



EDIT: I feel like I'm in The Outsiders. Socs vs. Greasers.

 

[dia009]

i thought being poor doesn't qualify you as "disadvantaged" unless you are latino, blk or native american?
my family is doing better now, but when we first moved to this country it was hard.

 

[Trexate]

i thought being poor doesn't qualify you as "disadvantaged" unless you are latino, blk or native american?
my family is doing better now, but when we first moved to this country it was hard.

URM != 'disadvantaged'

At least as far as I know. It would be pretty hilarious if poor caucasians were not considered disadvantaged.

Where are you from originally?

 

[Morsetlis]

Disadvantaged refers to socioeconomic status, and often the litmus test is whether or not you have one of those fee waivers that saves you $5000 on applications.

URM is ethnicity-based and is a different beast.

 

[obgyny]

I have a weird situation,

My parents divorced when I was 7, and I've been living back and forth between them until a few years ago (about half of my life was spent with my mother, the other half with my father). When I lived with my father, we always had money (middle-class). But when my 2 brothers and I lived with my mother, we lived off of my mother's social security disability and were always completely broke. So I grew up in both worlds and raised by single parents (they both didn't remarry other people until my late teens). Would this be considered "disadvantaged status?" (I'm caucasian if you were wondering). Currently, I'm living on my own and supporting myself financially with a full-time job.

Trexate, I could totally understand and respect why you didn't mention your disadvantaged status. I don't really like sharing my life's story either (and I dread talking about my family in interviews/essays), but honestly my past has really shaped the person I am today.

 

[Morsetlis]

If you think so, then check the box.

 

[siliso]

My point was originally to see if there was anyone here that felt the way I did. I see that at least one person does. The rest has been defending/explaining the way I feel against the jackals who can't fathom the idea of not playing into people's sympathies. Perhaps if they would stop ramming down my throat the idea that I should be treated differently because of how poor I was, I would stop ramming down theirs that I chose not to use something that would have given me an advantage over them in the applicant pool.

I'm not mad at you. I don't see it the same way, though, wrt getting an unfair advantage over others. The reason it's called "disadvantaged" is that there are other people who have advantages that they sure as hell are not going to choose not to use - couldn't even choose not to use if they wanted to. People who had professional parents who sent them to well-funded effective schools, had stable living situations in safe neighborhoods, groomed them in the expectations of affluent culture, already have quite a set of unearned, unfair advantages that have nothing to do with their personal merits.

 

[randombetch]

My point was originally to see if there was anyone here that felt the way I did. I see that at least one person does. The rest has been defending/explaining the way I feel against the jackals who can't fathom the idea of not playing into people's sympathies. Perhaps if they would stop ramming down my throat the idea that I should be treated differently because of how poor I was, I would stop ramming down theirs that I chose not to use something that would have given me an advantage over them in the applicant pool.



EDIT: I feel like I'm in The Outsiders. Socs vs. Greasers.

Gee, wow, you're so special. Good for you. You want special props for not using something you have to your advantage? Here's a cookie instead.

It's not that we can't fathom the idea. It's that we don't give a s***, and you're making it seem like you're a saint for not checking a "disadvantaged" box.

 

[LizzyM]

Even if you don't self-identify as "disadvantaged", information about your socioeconomic status can be inferred from your address, high school attended, parents education & employment (also optional but rarely left blank), and the details added in some letters of recommendation.

 

[Trexate]

Gee, wow, you're so special. Good for you. You want special props for not using something you have to your advantage? Here's a cookie instead.

It's not that we can't fathom the idea. It's that we don't give a s***, and you're making it seem like you're a saint for not checking a "disadvantaged" box.

O Rly? I've been found out! I guess now that the cat is out of the bag I might as well come out and say it: I'm better than you.

I don't want props, but I will take that cookie. Yet again: it's fine, L2Read.