@LizzyM ,
@Goro . Sorry to bother, but do you either of you guys have any input on this. I've seen so many posts by lizzyM saying it should be how it affected
you. So I took this as if someone grew up in a similar "disadvantaged" situation, but if the result is different, then variation in box checking may exist.
In terms of my own context, I grew up with food stamps up into elementary school of which I was still in the lower income bracket ~35-40k in 4 person family, had my sister making a 5 person family, but the economy got better and my family started making around ~50k a year. Went to high school on free lunch program, mother had a stroke halfway through HS affecting work hours, lowering income again as she works a job very much requiring her hands and dexterity. Moved to a different state of where I'm in college now under my mother as a single parent, receiving the FAP, pell grant and food stamps once again as a college student. I'll be honest, I went to a really great public magnet (free, but had to take a test to get in) school and my parents were the stereotypical must get good grades parents so I did pretty well in HS, and in college too I guess. I took some jobs to help out and all that business, but I feel like I had a fair life always. I'm not sure if my perspective is warped because I didn't give a damn if I couldn't get an xbox when there were people living on the streets - should I just forget about the disadvantaged box?
I'm so sorry for the long rant, but do you have any tips on how to illustrate this if I'm not going to check the disadvantaged box... my personal statement is very much focused on something else I'm passionate about, not exactly about my SES background.