educationaly disadvantaged

[lilnoelle]

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It really depends. For example, I came from a disadvantaged background (working class parents, neither went to college), but my school district had a program that bused "disadvantaged" students to good public schools. Then I was awarded a scholarship to attend a prestigious boarding school for high school. So although my parents are working class people, I haven't had any educational disadvantage since the 6th grade. In fact, I probably had more advantage that some kids whose parents went to college and made more money.

I think educational disadvantage is based on your personal educational experienecs and not necessarily the SES of your family.

This type of program would definitely help, however, at least where I grew up, programs like that didn't exist. And many poor rural schools don't have a career counselor, so students aren't told about scholarships, grants, or assistance programs for those who are disadvantaged.

 

[LizzyM]

On the AMCAS application don't they ask about your parent's (parents') education?

Yes, highest education attained and last school attended as well as current job (by category such as physician, judge or lawyer, sales worker, other business not listed, etc). That tells a lot about an applicant.

 

[tncekm]

Note, I didn't check the economically disadvantaged box on the application, though I found out quite a bit later I could have.

I can "technically" check that box too. But, still, I look at that box and am torn. lol. I know it could help, but I personally don't honestly consider myself disadvantaged. But then again, I guess its all about who is looking at the situation, right?

And, if I did check the box then I'd probably have to give a little sob-story in my interview, and risk sounding like a dick because I can't really talk about my home-life without being a bit critical of my parents' (mostly Dad a.k.a. Mr. Ego) decisions.

For me, checking the disadvantaged box is like setting myself up for an endless series of loaded questions and then battling my own feelings about what constitutes "disadvantaged". Yes, the parents are constantly on the verge of the umpteenth BK and I'm giving out my credit card so my little bro can sign up for college classes while mom's having a nervous breakdown and dad's screaming about being a royal loser and then asking my mom how much money he has in his life-insurance policy, but it just feels normal to me 😀