Disadvantaged Status

[FutureDoctor19]

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I am not sure whether to check disadvantaged on my amcas. I am a white female raised by a single mother, graduated from an inner city school, worked in high school to hep support my family...let me know if it would even help at all since i am not URM

 

[FutureDoctor19]

help

 

[bjolly]

sounds to me like you would qualify.

 

[stressedout]

hi,

if you feel that that you were educationally, financially, or socially disadvantaged during your formative years (0-18) than you would qualify. If you went to a "not so good" high school or if your family was living with little income, etc...
sounds like you probably do.
and, you should still mention it regardless of whether or not you are a URM.

 

[PrincessCKNY]

When they mention disadvantaged, they mean something like being on welfare. If you're still not sure, you're better off saying no. If you claim disadvantaged and you're not, you will get seriously reemed by the schools you're applying to. I think AMCAS has a "tips" link or an instruction book link...it should give you a better idea of what they're looking for.

 

[MeowMix]

I also was raised by a single mother, worked from age 11, worked my way through college, supported my sisters, etc.. I did not claim disadvantaged. I asked a bunch of people I know who grew up in worse circumstances, and none of them said they would consider themselves "disadvantaged" (none of them are pre-meds). Remember that many med school faculty grew up in circumstances that were not particularly favorable, yet probably don't consider themselves disadvantaged.

The AMCAS guidelines are vague, but if you look for example at UCSF's secondary, you will see that they want a lot of detail about your "disadvantaged" claim. I think that you are better off discussing hardships briefly in your personal statement, and not claiming disadvantaged unless you experienced great hardship.

 

[stressedout]

i honestly don't think that you should avoid applying as disadvantaged. if you feel that you had difficulties in gaining access to education shouldn't schools be aware of the difficulties you faced?

excluding the UC's and a couple of other schools, most other schools do not have a separate disadvantaged committee... these schools will just take the info you have provided (regardless of how extreme your "disadvantaged" status is) and consider it in your entire application.

just my 2 cents

 

[steve007]

Originally posted by MeowMix
I also was raised by a single mother, worked from age 11, worked my way through college, supported my sisters, etc.. I did not claim disadvantaged. I asked a bunch of people I know who grew up in worse circumstances, and none of them said they would consider themselves "disadvantaged" (none of them are pre-meds). Remember that many med school faculty grew up in circumstances that were not particularly favorable, yet probably don't consider themselves disadvantaged.

The AMCAS guidelines are vague, but if you look for example at UCSF's secondary, you will see that they want a lot of detail about your "disadvantaged" claim. I think that you are better off discussing hardships briefly in your personal statement, and not claiming disadvantaged unless you experienced great hardship.

just b/c you and your friends didn't claim disadvantaged doesn't mean this person shouldn't. if you had to work to support your family and recieved govt assistance and stuff than i'm sure you qualify. what's with the bravado?

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by MeowMix
I also was raised by a single mother, worked from age 11, worked my way through college, supported my sisters, etc.. I did not claim disadvantaged. I asked a bunch of people I know who grew up in worse circumstances, and none of them said they would consider themselves "disadvantaged" (none of them are pre-meds). Remember that many med school faculty grew up in circumstances that were not particularly favorable, yet probably don't consider themselves disadvantaged.

The AMCAS guidelines are vague, but if you look for example at UCSF's secondary, you will see that they want a lot of detail about your "disadvantaged" claim. I think that you are better off discussing hardships briefly in your personal statement, and not claiming disadvantaged unless you experienced great hardship.

If what you say is true, then I think most people would consider you disadvantaged as you could easily make a claim that your situation affected your academic performance. The fact is, AMCAS specifically says to claim disadvantaged status IF YOU FEEL YOU WERE DISADVANTAGED. Of course, each medical school will make their own determination based on the information you provide, but they certainly won't hold it against you if they decide you weren't disadvantaged. By definition, the criteria for disadvantaged status are highly subjective, and nobody with any degree of intelligence will try to hold your own opinion against you, especially with respect to such a sensitive topic.

 

[SpiritiualDuck]

Which schools have a different committee for disadvantage status? I didn't know that.

 

[stressedout]

all of the UC's (UCLA,SD,SF,Davis,Irvine) except SD I think have disadvantaged commitees. And, I heard U of Michigan does too.
Not sure if there are others.

 

[missMD]

AMCAS has a number and an email address. Contact them and ask them for a thorough description of disadvantage status. While your doing this you could also go to your schools health professions office (if you have one) and ask them the same question.