Disadvantaged Status Question

[OF09]

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My question is: How much is too much for the disadvantaged status essay? I wrote mine, and I think it could make them think that I must be mentally damaged because so much has happened. I also don't want to face any prejudice from someone who just doesn't like parts of my past. I dulled a lot of it down "accidental death", etc. Nothing is ME doing anything bad (I have pretty much always been super well behaved), but a lot is about my parents and challenges that I have overcome.

I was considering cutting out some of the events/facts but nearly all of them how influenced my activities in college and what type of dentistry that I want to be (but I leave the last two to be assumed), what do you think?

Some examples are:
My ___ was gay and we were the only two black people in the small town we lived in, we faced a lot of prejudice. (As a result, I've been nationally involved in an organization that helps children of LGBTQ parents and pledge to treat all patients without discrimination.)

My ___ was heavily addicted to drugs since a very young age. I witnessed a lot of the drug seeking behaviours growing up, and that led to that person's death. I was also born a "crack baby" and in the foster care system (As a result, I will never touch drugs/alcohol/etc.)
etc. etc.

I don't want people worrying that I will become a drug addict, etc. If spilling my life story doesn't help/hurts my application I would rather leave it off.

I have a 23 DAT, 3.9+ GPA, max of double listed extracurricular leadership positions/etc., 5+ educational programs, etc... as in I've been really active during my college years. Opinions? I'm actually really normal, and totally accepting of all parts of my past and how my family members live (some in severe poverty) although I do have an unusual amount of compassion and dedication to helping the underserved (particularly those that remind me of my family). Thoughts? Thank you SO much!! I have been debating this and now that I'm about to send in my application I am still undecided.

 

[slm266]

Who cares, you're getting in whichever school youd like.

 

[Banana of doom]

Sorry to hear all you been through. try to keep as much as you can, but because you have had been through so much. It could start to be on the lengthy side. I would try to condense what you already have. if you still feel its too long you can cut some.

I don't think they would think of you to be a potential drug abuser. Because your parents/Family abused drugs doesn't mean that you will. I think that would be a motivation to never do such things.

 

[OF09]

Sorry to hear all you been through. try to keep as much as you can, but because you have had been through so much. It could start to be on the lengthy side. I would try to condense what you already have. if you still feel its too long you can cut some.

I don't think they would think of you to be a potential drug abuser. Because your parents/Family abused drugs doesn't mean that you will. I think that would be a motivation to never do such things.

Ha, no sympathy here-- I'm EXTREMELY blessed to be here and much better off than most of the people I knew who had "average" childhoods.

I address about 7 substantial topics in seperate short paragraphs with a very short conclusion to explain how events have motivated me. I do use -all 4500- characters. Using all provided characters is a theme throughout my application (its really hard to condense things that I've REALLY put a lot of effort down into 175 characters...etc) I figure that, if anything, they will skip through my PS/DS/professional experience, but acknowledge that -unlike a lot of people- nothing is fluff.

Have you heard of admission officers/interviewers being frustrated with long applications?

 

[DrReo]

Everyone over comes certain challenges. Some larger than others.

Use these as discussion points in the interview.

The latter sounds like a plee for sympathy. It's, of course, unfortunate, but if anyone asks- tell them in person- rather than the application.

 

[kwaa]

Who cares, you're getting in whichever school youd like.

yeah, seriously. good job with your academics through such a troubled life. makes me feel like a loser since my life was drama-free and my grades aren't as perfect as yours haha.

 

[cutecheese]

i wouldnt' cut out too much from your application. as u said, your past experiences have only motivated/influenced your decisions and aims in dentistry. i think sob stories are only bad if they are thrown in there just to be there. while u dont have to reveal too much in the essay, i think you should elaborate in interviews b/c it seems like you'll definitely get one 🙂 g-luck!

 

[Chemboy23]

I've been through a lot too...I think it's a weakness when we put this on our applications though...I mean do you really need someone to feel sorry for you? Your stats are stellar, I have a 3.25/3.25 and take the DAT on Aug 10th, but I opted out of trying the sympathy route. In all honesty, everyone has had to overcome obstacles and faced discrimination at some point and time in their lives...suck it up and move on. You'll get in, don't worry 😀

 

[flyingforever]

My question is: How much is too much for the disadvantaged status essay? I wrote mine, and I think it could make them think that I must be mentally damaged because so much has happened. I also don't want to face any prejudice from someone who just doesn't like parts of my past. I dulled a lot of it down "accidental death", etc. Nothing is ME doing anything bad (I have pretty much always been super well behaved), but a lot is about my parents and challenges that I have overcome.

I was considering cutting out some of the events/facts but nearly all of them how influenced my activities in college and what type of dentistry that I want to be (but I leave the last two to be assumed), what do you think?

Some examples are:
My ___ was gay and we were the only two black people in the small town we lived in, we faced a lot of prejudice. (As a result, I've been nationally involved in an organization that helps children of LGBTQ parents and pledge to treat all patients without discrimination.)

My ___ was heavily addicted to drugs since a very young age. I witnessed a lot of the drug seeking behaviours growing up, and that led to that person's death. I was also born a "crack baby" and in the foster care system (As a result, I will never touch drugs/alcohol/etc.)
etc. etc.

I don't want people worrying that I will become a drug addict, etc. If spilling my life story doesn't help/hurts my application I would rather leave it off.

I have a 23 DAT, 3.9+ GPA, max of double listed extracurricular leadership positions/etc., 5+ educational programs, etc... as in I've been really active during my college years. Opinions? I'm actually really normal, and totally accepting of all parts of my past and how my family members live (some in severe poverty) although I do have an unusual amount of compassion and dedication to helping the underserved (particularly those that remind me of my family). Thoughts? Thank you SO much!! I have been debating this and now that I'm about to send in my application I am still undecided.

Truly, you are inspiration for newer generation. By the way, I am a cancer survivor, I wish all the best. All the blessings 🙂

 

[OF09]

Truly, you are inspiration for newer generation. By the way, I am a cancer survivor, I wish all the best. All the blessings

I have volunteered with several people who have fought cancer and it is so tough on every family. I am inspired by cancer survivors 🙂. I believe that will affect how you practice, no? I heard a statistic that only 20% of doctors check for oral cancer (which kills ~12,000? ppl each year) during 6 month exams.... I bet that you will be one of the 20% that checks to help with early detection and prevention.

___
Chemboy:
I feel like what I have experienced (granted, you see a tiny, edited snippit above) will ensure that I continue to be compassionate even when I make a ton of money and won't be "rewarded" by putting things on my CV (I'm sure you aren't one, but there are quite a few people who only do things to help themselves get into grad school...). I don't feel as though I need pity... but I do think that my background will definitely influence how compassionate I am when I am a dentist- which may matter.

but I also don't want any biases because of certain things I'm disclosing. Still, they put the slot in for 4500, it's pretty much a second personal statement. I don't know why they would put that in if they didn't care/believe that it influenced the dental student in some way. Maybe talk to an admissions officer and see what their opinion is for your situation? Good Luck on your DAT!

 

[Chemboy23]

I was not meaning that in a negative way towards you...I don't know exactly what you've been through and I am really a compassionate person. I know (boy do I know) the determination it takes to overcome things and get as far as you and I have. In all honesty, it's what separates us from the "rest of the pack." What I'm trying to say is that I don't think it would be good to go on and on about how much we've been through. I have actually grown up in a crackhouse, father's been in jail my entire life, little brother selling drugs at the age of 13, little sister killed in a car crash, etc...And it did shape me to want better for my life, as I hope this is what it's done for you and that's a pretty safe assumption to make considering you've got to this point. It just urkes me to no end when people use race, minority things, and other fudge factors to give them an advantage over others. It's not fair to future patients, it's not fair to other predent students, and it's not fair to YOU. Your stats alone are enough to get you into Harvard if you want, what in the world could you possibly be worried about? I would kill to have those numbers. But, I commend you for getting this far, I do enjoy listening to life stories (especially like ours'). Just be careful and they will ask in your interview, they do this because everyone would say they grew up eating out of trash cans and living under bridges if it would assure them a spot in the next d school class. They want to look at you and believe me, they can tell when someone is bs..ing them. Sorry if I came off offensive, I just enjoy working hard (as we both have done) to get places in life. Best of luck to you too, you'll get in so DON'T worry!