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How much does applying as a economically disadvantage applicant help? If I apply as a low income background applicant, how much does this help me with acceptance?
economically disadvantage
- Thread starter marymatthews
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It probably only helps to alleviate some of the AADSAS application cost if you qualify. I would not count on it helping you gain an acceptance.
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being economically disadvantaged helps with getting acceptance for med school
why not dental?
why not dental?
I believe it depends on how you are going to use it. If you use it as an excuse for getting below average GPA and DAT, then I do not think it will help you much. However, if you use it as a strength, then it should help you with the essays and interviews.
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You mean you parent(s) were low income or you had to work full time job while attending college?
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I guess i am a little confused why it should make a difference? We have all recieved our bachelors, hopefully we are away from mom and dad and own our own. As that stands, i think we are all economically disadvantaged. graduating with 200 + grand in debt, that sounds like economically disadvantaged to me!
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I agree that most college students, IMO, are looking upwards towards the poverty line.
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I know a lot of people who think like the two posters above-- and I disagree. I find it more impressive of someone who came from an economic disadvantaged background to do well in college and graduate with their bachelors. Its about individuals who grew up poor and in more likely than not a crappy public school system. These individuals who succeeded despite having limited resources are far more impressive than students who had parents making a decent living. I went to nice suburban public school and knew I was going to college... I didn't have to worry about helping my parents make ends meat, or worrying about violence in the classroom, etc. Its not about the support you receive from your parents now, or over the last 4 years in college. Its about the support you received the first 18 years of your life... trust me, I personally know people on both sides of the "economically disadvantaged" designation and it makes a difference.
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It is very impressive for someone to come from many years of limited resources and still obtain a degree, however the OP was asking if this can help them with gaining an acceptance into dental school. I guess it depends on an individual's situation and here we have very little to go on.
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i agree with you 100% wizardsradio, as far as a bachelors degree is concerned. I think that for graduate school people should be considered equal, even, whatever. We all worked hard in our undergrad, but i assume i am like most who had to take out loans to cover my undergrad, and i will take out loans to cover my dental schooling, and i cant get any help with that because my dad makes X amount. And i am ok with that, but i dont see why someone else should have an advantage of someone else just becuase they are "economically disadvanteged".
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My guess is that they these people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to go back to their hometowns after they graduate dental school and make a positive contribution in an area that needs it most... This is encouraged and fostered by giving these individuals an "advantage". Its sort of like the NHSC scholarship or loan repayment... the hope is that these people stay in underserved areas after their service commitment. These individuals are also rewarded for their time and services. Its sort of an investment, sometimes it pays off and other times it does not.
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That does make sense.
So should one who was raised in a middle-class home have less of a chance of getting in? Because that is also what is being asked...
I was fortunate enough to be raised in a stable-income home, yet I had a job every semester of college... and will have 0% financial contribution throughout dental school.
..It seems unfair to think that my parents being middle-class should be a negative component to my application.
Although I commend those who did strive to achieve higher education without the financial contributions of their family.
I was fortunate enough to be raised in a stable-income home, yet I had a job every semester of college... and will have 0% financial contribution throughout dental school.
..It seems unfair to think that my parents being middle-class should be a negative component to my application.
Although I commend those who did strive to achieve higher education without the financial contributions of their family.
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I would not say you coming from a middle-class home would lower your chance... but then again I am assuming you mean having to work through school has maybe sacrificed your academic performance. Because if you have worked throughout school and maintained a competitive GPA then that would be viewed as very positive and would increase your chance of being accepted. I would say a majority of accepted students are not from disadvantaged backgrounds so there are plenty of seats to compete for. StirrinIt hasn't said this or nobody on this particular thread has, but nobody is "stealing your seat"... Everyone who is accepted was so for a reason (even if they have a 15 DAT and 2.0 gpa).
-By the way I grew up in a very stable income home as well and have not received any support from parents. I was married at 18 and now have 2 kids with one on the way. So yes I am taking out a lot of loans since my parents' income disqualifies me from being considered "disadvantaged".
Not necessarily a negative, but here's my understanding of the comparison. If you and another candidate are similar, the candidate coming from a disadvantaged background is more impressive because they've had to go through more hardships. That is, if you've come from a middle-class family and have been provided for, then your stats had best be better than someone who did not have those things.
They obviously don't ask for your parent's financial information on the application, but your experiences will show. Someone who's gone through hardship will have stronger experiences to talk about in their statement, for example. If you had to work to support yourself in college, then that is an example of hardship that you could talk about.
