*Does this count as disadvantaged status?*

[lickerwhicker]

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[cactusman]

Disadvantaged means you were not as academically prepared for college due to circumstances before college. This does not sound like it put you at an academic disadvantage even though it prevented you from doing some HS extracurriculars.

 

[sullen-burger]

AMCAS disadvantaged status means economically disadvantaged, medically underserved area, or immediate family (defined by AMCAS).

Disadvantaged Status

Ultimately though, your perceived status is up to you. You decide if you check the box "disadvantaged" on your application, or not. Maybe your circumstance doesn't neatly fall into one of the three categories. Either way, if you select yes, then you are prompted to write an essay for the purpose of describing your situation (AMCAS).

After that, each school looks at your status in a different way, as each school has its own policy on how to take your essay answer into account (google).

Maybe they would count something in your favor that isn't listed in AMCAS (speculation).

That's absolutely awesome that you took care of your family member. Maybe if it was important to you, you can share that as part of your story in future essays, regardless of your perceived status.


Everyone needs good grades and MCAT scores though, so focus yourself there (common sense).



(Sources: google, amcas, speculation, common sense)

 

[Stagg737]

Imo most med schools would not consider you to be disadvantaged, and many may even take your app less seriously if this was your reason for claiming a disadvantaged status.

This does however sound like a great opportunity to emphasize some strong personality points like responsibility, commitment, and empathy towards others in your personal statement or secondary essays. It's one of those things that can tell a lot about you, just don't try and take advantage of more than you should.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

If you got bad grade, missed a lot of school, and were generally unprepared for college a situation like this might be disadvantaged. The way you describe it it's not. However, it could be the start of a compelling PS.

 

[Saifa]

AMCAS disadvantaged status means economically disadvantaged, medically underserved area, or immediate family (defined by AMCAS).

I haven't understood this, immediate family what?

 

[cactusman]

I haven't understood this, immediate family what?

A US News article about disadvantaged says "If you have a situation involving your immediate family that affected your educational opportunities or social circumstances, you can self-designate as disadvantaged." Probably intentionally broad.

 

[lickerwhicker]

thank you so much everyone! i have a way better understanding now of what they mean by "disadvantaged status" haha 🙂

 

[P0ke]

I haven't understood this, immediate family what?

Maybe it means you had to take care of a sick family member. Like being the sole caregiver for a mother with Alzheimer's. That would certainly take up a lot of time, and you probably couldn't study as much as other people.

 

[Saifa]

Maybe it means you had to take care of a sick family member. Like being the sole caregiver for a mother with Alzheimer's. That would certainly take up a lot of time, and you probably couldn't study as much as other people.

I had assumed, they could be slightly less vague though. Might as well substitute "economically disadvantaged" with "money."

 

[Dox4lyfe]

AMCAS disadvantaged status means economically disadvantaged, medically underserved area, or immediate family (defined by AMCAS).

Disadvantaged Status

Ultimately though, your perceived status is up to you. You decide if you check the box "disadvantaged" on your application, or not. Maybe your circumstance doesn't neatly fall into one of the three categories. Either way, if you select yes, then you are prompted to write an essay for the purpose of describing your situation (AMCAS).

After that, each school looks at your status in a different way, as each school has its own policy on how to take your essay answer into account (google).

Maybe they would count something in your favor that isn't listed in AMCAS (speculation).

That's absolutely awesome that you took care of your family member. Maybe if it was important to you, you can share that as part of your story in future essays, regardless of your perceived status.


Everyone needs good grades and MCAT scores though, so focus yourself there (common sense).



(Sources: google, amcas, speculation, common sense)

What does "economically disadvantaged" mean and how can med schools verify this?

 

[LizzyM]

What does "economically disadvantaged" mean and how can med schools verify this?

They take your word for it. Sometimes a LOR from an advisor or committee will corroborate the story.

One that stood out for me was an applicant whose mother had not finished HS and who worked as a chambermaid in a motel. Father unknown. Applicant worked in HS to afford basic clothing and school supplies for self and sibling.

I've also seen a few who had parents with professional degrees but who were mentally or physically disabled and unemployable; the family therefore lived far below the standard of living one might expect for someone whose parent is a doctor or lawyer.

on the flip side: applicant whose father was a physician in a well-compensated specialty and who lived in a posh neighborhood. Applicant took a gap year living in an expensive city and claimed she was disadvantaged because her father had paid for her college education and living expenses in her gap year were high that she was going to need help paying for medical school. That did not go over well with the adcom. Don't mistake the disadvantaged section with a request for need based financial aid.