Disadvantaged Status

[Shazzam]

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I want to be honest when I submit my application, and I want to take your opinions on my situation. I personally feel disadvantaged but I could just be an idiot.

7 years ago my dad lost everything, went into 200k worth of debt, and we moved to the middle of no where. Since then, we've declared bankrupcty, almost had our home forclosed on twice which ended up in a short sale. Also, my parents are constantly arguing, my dad is very abusive on an emotional standpoint (nothing physical), my mother has thought constantly of leaving but can't due to finances. I've also had to take care of my brother and sister in regards to their school work (often teaching them their lessons) while worrying about college. This has also affected me academically, I've recieved a C in Chem due to a horrible Final exam score during one of the worst months of my life while recieving A's in PHY 1 & 2 and an A- in CHM 2 while we weren't worrying about getting kicked out of our home.

As a result, I've often taken online courses when I had the chance especially so when I went to ASU and I'm wondering if this has any negative effects on my application as they are online courses (non were science classes).

What do you guys think of this situation in a nutshell? Would this qualify as disadvtanged?

 

[dentalWorks]

I want to be honest when I submit my application, and I want to take your opinions on my situation. I personally feel disadvantaged but I could just be an idiot.

7 years ago my dad lost everything, went into 200k worth of debt, and we moved to the middle of no where. Since then, we've declared bankrupcty, almost had our home forclosed on twice which ended up in a short sale. Also, my parents are constantly arguing, my dad is very abusive on an emotional standpoint (nothing physical), my mother has thought constantly of leaving but can't due to finances. I've also had to take care of my brother and sister in regards to their school work (often teaching them their lessons) while worrying about college. This has also affected me academically, I've recieved a C in Chem due to a horrible Final exam score during one of the worst months of my life while recieving A's in PHY 1 & 2 and an A- in CHM 2 while we weren't worrying about getting kicked out of our home.

As a result, I've often taken online courses when I had the chance especially so when I went to ASU and I'm wondering if this has any negative effects on my application as they are online courses (non were science classes).

What do you guys think of this situation in a nutshell? Would this qualify as disadvtanged?

IMO, no.
People need to be careful about how they use this disadvantage status. Are you sure you want dental schools to know that you have a dysfunctional family.... what if somethings more dramatic happens WHILE your in dental school? what then? are you gonna drop out? take 1 year leave of absence? fail? .... these are the kinds of things adcoms want to avoid.

I believe, when you have 2000-4000+ people applying for 100 spots, the people who demonstrate the most potential to successfully pass the curriculum are the ones whom (most of the time) get in.

Everything I said here is just my personal opinion, its not based on any facts.

 

[slm266]

What's your GPA?

 

[Lane138]

IMO, no.
People need to be careful about how they use this disadvantage status. Are you sure you want dental schools to know that you have a dysfunctional family.... what if somethings more dramatic happens WHILE your in dental school? what then? are you gonna drop out? take 1 year leave of absence? fail? .... these are the kinds of things adcoms want to avoid.

I believe, when you have 2000-4000+ people applying for 100 spots, the people who demonstrate the most potential to successfully pass the curriculum are the ones whom (most of the time) get in.

Everything I said here is just my personal opinion, its not based on any facts.

The fact that you had to deal with all that, and still do well in scholl and harbor dreams of becoming a dentist in my opinion is a good attribute. Maybe you can mention it slightly but don't make it into a sob/depressing story.

 

[Shazzam]

What's your GPA?

3.61 cGPA


Thanks for the responses.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

The fact that you had to deal with all that, and still do well in scholl and harbor dreams of becoming a dentist in my opinion is a good attribute. Maybe you can mention it slightly but don't make it into a sob/depressing story.

Just to play Devil's advocate..it could also mean:

1. His/her situation wasn't THAT significant
2. His/her undergrad was very easy

 

[seattlesun]

Yes, I believe your situation has put you at a disadvantage. Write about it and show your strengths and how this has made you a stronger person, but as Lane138 said try to stay positive.

 

[LetsGo2DSchool]

There is a difference between being disadvantaged and painting the situation to fit your picture.

You did overcome hardships and you deserve to be commended for it.

However, disadvantaged status was intended for the "typical disadvantaged" applicant... the one who grew up in the projects in the inner city two notches above living in a cardboard box, and whose family didn't own a home or a car, and shopped for clothes at the thrift store, and relied on food stamps and other public subsidies to survive, and who could only attend the crappy ghetto inner city public school system.

It's not meant for a middle class family that was doing fine up until a few years ago when financial turmoil forced the family into bankruptcy and other hardships. This is called bad/unfortunate luck and not being disadvantaged.

I think it's risky to use your situation as being disadvantaged as schools may view you as trying to "hustle" your way in with a sob story.

 

[phandaman]

There is a difference between being disadvantaged and painting the situation to fit your picture.

You did overcome hardships and you deserve to be commended for it.

However, disadvantaged status was intended for the "typical disadvantaged" applicant... the one who grew up in the projects in the inner city two notches above living in a cardboard box, and whose family didn't own a home or a car, and shopped for clothes at the thrift store, and relied on food stamps and other public subsidies to survive, and who could only attend the crappy ghetto inner city public school system.

It's not meant for a middle class family that was doing fine up until a few years ago when financial turmoil forced the family into bankruptcy and other hardships. This is called bad/unfortunate luck and not being disadvantaged.

I think it's risky to use your situation as being disadvantaged as schools may view you as trying to "hustle" your way in with a sob story.

+1

Even after having immigrated to the US years back and having to live in shared rooms with my single parent while being on the move for years, I still would not considered myself as being disadvantaged.

 

[mestrada9447]

 

[aliciaworking]

"I am not only the first person in my family to go to college but also the first to go to middle or high school. My mother was raised in El Salvador and ..."

Wow; what a story!
I'd say that you are definitely disadvantaged; but if you are putting the story into writing in the app, you'd need to focus on only the important part that will help you with the app:
Financial disadvantage; educational (including your mom's lack of); work during high school or college (incl. taking care of family members financial needs).
Try not to emphasize your "stress and anxiety" unless it is to emphasize how much accomplishments you've achieved despite of that. And I don't think you need to go into this much detail about HOW your mom lost her restaurant money (just mention that the hurricane took away all that she had), nor do you need to go into detail about her hoarding - that's a contributing part of the Financial disadvantage: that you can't save your rent money, and you (may) have to take care of her needs.
Just my own opinion.
Good luck!

 

[tmirchel]

I have a similar story to the OP and I was told I was not disadvantaged. Only diff is my dad died. Like others have said you have to be raised like crap in crappy places to say you are disadvantaged.

 

[aliciaworking]

And I'd assume that since mestrada9447 was raise by her mom under financial difficulty, she has the disadvantaged status?

I have a similar story to the OP and I was told I was not disadvantaged. Only diff is my dad died. Like others have said you have to be raised like crap in crappy places to say you are disadvantaged.

 

[tmirchel]

She has a little more then my social status changed... like the OP does.

 

[LetsGo2DSchool]

Very impressive story by mestrada. This would qualify as being disadvantaged.

 

[mestrada9447]

Thanks everybody for responses!

I edited the essay so to avoid confusion for forum readers. My original post should now reflect what will actually be submitted to AADSAS.

Also, Sorry to OP for hijacking your forum!