Disadvantaged Status

[Medgen]

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I am genuinely confused about this and don't want to be duplicitous on my application. I had a meeting with my premed advisor this past week. He advised that when I apply (this upcoming cycle) that I fill this portion out. I was reviewing the AMCAS instructions, and I don't think that I qualify.

I have worked to support myself entirely through college, and for a few semesters had to work the graveyard shift several times a week. My father effectively left my family when I was in middle school, but I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a pretty good private high school on scholarship. I worked pretty hard in high school and I was also fortunate enough to get a full scholarship for my undergraduate education that covers everything except room and board. My mother works two jobs full time and has been unable to support me in college and so I have held a number of jobs- about two each semester. My mother got into a car accident and suffered a brain injury during my junior year of college and was temporarily out of work so I would go home frequently during her recovery to help out. She has since returned to work and is doing just fine (very happy about that 🙂).

However, I did not grow up in a medically underprivileged area and my mother has not ever been on any form of federal or state aid. I don't want to sound whiney on my application. Should I describe this in the space for "disadvantaged status" or find a place for it in my personal statement? Or just not describe it at all?

Thanks in advance for any advice! I really appreciate it!

 

[LizzyM]

Even if you don't "check the box" you are given the opportunity to describe your family's annual income, whether you worked during HS to support your family or for your own spending money and how you paid for college.

A separate section asks your parents' names, last school attended, highest degree earned, and occupation.

So, even without self-identifying as "disadvantaged" an adcom can see that you come from a lower-socioeconomic stratum than the applicant who has two parents who are highly paid professionals.

 

[Medgen]

Even if you don't "check the box" you are given the opportunity to describe your family's annual income, whether you worked during HS to support your family or for your own spending money and how you paid for college.

A separate section asks your parents' names, last school attended, highest degree earned, and occupation.

So, even without self-identifying as "disadvantaged" an adcom can see that you come from a lower-socioeconomic stratum than the applicant who has two parents who are highly paid professionals.

I didn't realize that that section was there. It makes more sense to input the information there and leave the "disadvantaged status" portion blank I think then. Thanks!!!!

 

[Dr SunDai]

It may not make a difference where you put it for adcoms, however I've been told by more than one school it makes a difference for financial aid. They stated for consistency you must demonstrate need on your app by selecting disadvantaged and follow up with that again when submitting financial aid documents. So, if you are seeking any need-based awards, it would be beneficial to include under disadvantaged section. Also, filling out that section doesn't mean you're whining about your situation. Best of luck to you!!!

 

[LizzyM]

It may not make a difference where you put it for adcoms, however I've been told by more than one school it makes a difference for financial aid. They stated for consistency you must demonstrate need on your app by selecting disadvantaged and follow up with that again when submitting financial aid documents. So, if you are seeking any need-based awards, it would be beneficial to include under disadvantaged section. Also, filling out that section doesn't mean you're whining about your situation. Best of luck to you!!!

This may be for some schools but not all schools. This does explain why some people who didn't seem particularly "disadvantaged" from age 0-18 had a hard luck story in that section of the application. Sad to say, some adcom members found those stories off-putting so it may be damned if you do, damned if you don't depending on where you get an offer.

 

[Medgen]

This may be for some schools but not all schools. This does explain why some people who didn't seem particularly "disadvantaged" from age 0-18 had a hard luck story in that section of the application. Sad to say, some adcom members found those stories off-putting so it may be damned if you do, damned if you don't depending on where you get an offer.

I feel as though your best bet would be to list the information in the income section and perhaps in your personal statement and/or have your recommenders touch upon it... It seems as though if you are not from a medically underserved area, then you might seem like you are trying to tell a sob story.