Disadvantaged status on AADSAS- your opinion please

[Prehealth92]

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I know that this topic has been posted a lot in the past, but I wanted your personal opinion about my circumstance. I will apply in June 2015.

I've faced a few personal difficulties but not really any financial difficulties (I'm on financial aid like >50% of other students). I am a first generation college student. My parents made around $30 grand for a family of 4 as I grew up, which I know is not below the poverty line. But, my mom died of cancer when I was 12, and I dropped out of school for half a year when I was 13. I was in another country at the time, and my dad couldn't pay the tuition. I came back to America at 13 and lived with various college/grad students until I graduated high school because my dad was abusive. But, no one knows about the abuse, and I'm not going to put it on AADSAS. So, would you recommend that I put myself as disadvantaged, or should I just skip this section?

Thanks in advance to the anonymous individuals who give advice just to help someone out. 🙂

 

[Hopeandpray]

My advice for what it's worth don't label yourself as disadvantage instead use some of what you've been through in life in your personal statement to show how you were able to rise above a difficult childhood and stayed focus on your goals. Good luck to you

 

[irishmom]

I was advised by both my advisor and multiple dental schools to NOT use the disadvantaged section. And believe me, I was disadvantaged. Baby at 17, married my daughters abusive father, divorced at 20. Lots of bad stuff in the 3 years we were together. Welfare recipient until met my current husband. Remarried at 23. Hygiene school at 25. Hyginist at 27. Went from 0 to 100 in 10 years.

 

[DATtestTho]

I ended up filling in that section simply stating that after my parents divorce (right before college) I was gradually cut off more and more from my father so I needed to get work and loans to stay in school, thus motivating me even more.

At every interview I was asked about my parents divorce effecting me. But lol, really its up to you.

 

[LizLemongrab]

I think your complicated living situation deserves to be at least alluded to in your personal statement or is worth a disadvantaged student essay. 23k is the poverty guideline for a family of 4 so you're actually pretty darn close to it, more so if in an area with a higher than average cost of living.

I wrote about overcoming my circumstances with persistence and ingenuity and how I have been helping others like myself when I became free. I am also willing to share my disadvantaged student essay and help you compose yours if you are interested.

 

[Faux]

What country is your family from?

 

[superluminal]

I was advised by both my advisor and multiple dental schools to NOT use the disadvantaged section. And believe me, I was disadvantaged. Baby at 17, married my daughters abusive father, divorced at 20. Lots of bad stuff in the 3 years we were together. Welfare recipient until met my current husband. Remarried at 23. Hygiene school at 25. Hyginist at 27. Went from 0 to 100 in 10 years.

Why were you advised not to use your disadvantaged status? Just wondering? Congrats on hanging in there by the way 🙂

 

[irishmom]

My advisor (who is the head of the medical admissions at my undergrad's medical school) said not to make yourself seem disadvantaged in the eyes of the committees. She said that everyone, no matter their backgroud has had some disadvantages in their life and to tell someone you are disadvantaged puts you at a lower level than others. So I followed her advice, and I still got in. I touched upon my life in general in my personal statement. How I kind of rose for the ashes so to speak.

 

[Faux]

I was advised by both my advisor and multiple dental schools to NOT use the disadvantaged section. And believe me, I was disadvantaged. Baby at 17, married my daughters abusive father, divorced at 20. Lots of bad stuff in the 3 years we were together. Welfare recipient until met my current husband. Remarried at 23. Hygiene school at 25. Hyginist at 27. Went from 0 to 100 in 10 years.

The section is there for a reason. OP's mom died when he was barely older than 10 years old. Also had an abusive dad that was out of the picture completely and moved from home to home during high school years. Thats a staple if I ever seen one for a disadvantage essay that might in turn catch him some scholarship money, or lower loan rates. He was a kid when all of this happened, completely out of his control.

Check the box, write the essay.

 

[Prehealth92]

I think your complicated living situation deserves to be at least alluded to in your personal statement or is worth a disadvantaged student essay. 23k is the poverty guideline for a family of 4 so you're actually pretty darn close to it, more so if in an area with a higher than average cost of living.

I wrote about overcoming my circumstances with persistence and ingenuity and how I have been helping others like myself when I became free. I am also willing to share my disadvantaged student essay and help you compose yours if you are interested.

Thank you. I would appreciate all the help I can get for the disadvantaged essay. I will pm you.

 

[Prehealth92]

What country is your family from?

They're from South Korea.

 

[jb305305]

Can I send the application and later write the essay for that part?

 

[LizLemongrab]

I wouldn't advise that. Schools generally want to see the whole packet. I still have time to assist you or others with their DE/PS as my classes haven't really started yet.

 

[techsh]

I think your complicated living situation deserves to be at least alluded to in your personal statement or is worth a disadvantaged student essay. 23k is the poverty guideline for a family of 4 so you're actually pretty darn close to it, more so if in an area with a higher than average cost of living.

I wrote about overcoming my circumstances with persistence and ingenuity and how I have been helping others like myself when I became free. I am also willing to share my disadvantaged student essay and help you compose yours if you are interested.

Hi, I know this thread is like 10 years old, but I am applying to dental school this cycle and have to write in the disadvantaged section as well. May I be able to read your disadvantaged student essay? This would help me tremendously. Thank you again.