Homeless or Not?

[CuriosityKillsMe]

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When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?

 

[M&L]

I wouldn’t call it homeless to be honest

 

[Rachapkis]

When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?

Rather than characterizing this situation as "homeless", I would simply describe it (as you have done here), and let the readers draw their own conclusions.

 

[candbgirl]

When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?

I think it depends on why you did that.

 

[xffan624]

I wouldn’t call it homeless to be honest

The federal government would disagree.

This is definitely a significant experience for you, OP. Most of your "homeless" patients would report similar experiences and it's important to have a broader perspective of it that you have. I would think ADCOMs would recognize your situation as homeless as well or at the very least, housing insecure.

 

[Goro]

When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?


Yes, it's homelessness and I've had students who have lived through it. Homeless does not necessarily mean you lack a literal roof over your head.

 

[gomernation]

When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?

You didn't have permanent housing so yes, you were experiencing homelessness

 

[CricB4Tube]

I had a similar background, although I did occasionally sleep outside when I didn't have a couch to surf on.
I called it homeless in my application because I simply didn't have a home. This isn't a contest of comparing yourself to other applicants in who has a more disadvantaged life; it's you telling your story and talking about the obstacles you've had to overcome.
Even when I finally bought a car to live in in high school, it still sucked. Being expected to keep up with your classmates when you spend all day trying to think of ways to get food, warmth, or a shower is miserable, especially when said classmates and teachers constantly give you crap for your appearance.
When you explain it, you shouldn't concern yourself with what some people might technically call it. Anyone who hasn't walked in your shoes doesn't have a right to belittle or judge your situation.

 

[mentalhealthnut]

When you hear the word homeless, the immediate image I have in my head, or at least what I assume others think, is panhandling, going through the garbage, living in the subway, or living in whatever version of skid row you have for your city/state. For a period of time during and after graduation , I was by the strictest definition of the word - homeless. I couched surfed and lived in my car. Would it be wrong for me to categorize this "lifestyle" as homeless? or will it be seen as exploitation?

Hi there, I work at a homeless shelter. Homeless simply means that you don't have a place to stay in which you either pay rent or offer some sort of payment for living there. Having a home means that you are there for long periods of time.

If you're staying in a hotel, you are homeless. If you are couch surfing, you are homeless. If you live at a homeless shelter or some sort of community center, you are homeless. If you live in your car, you are homeless.

 

[drducky.]

Hi there, I work at a homeless shelter. Homeless simply means that you don't have a place to stay in which you either pay rent or offer some sort of payment for living there. Having a home means that you are there for long periods of time.

If you're staying in a hotel, you are homeless. If you are couch surfing, you are homeless. If you live at a homeless shelter or some sort of community center, you are homeless. If you live in your car, you are homeless.

Can’t wait for rich applicants to live in a 5 star hotel for a year straight and say they’re homeless.

 

[LittleBrother]

Hahaha. I didn't consider myself homeless until I was interviewed for the local newspaper at a homeless veteran event. I got a nice sleeping bag at that event and realized I had been sleeping rather cold for the last couple months... then I thought "oh this isn't normal..."

I would say if you did not have a place to stay because you reasonably could not afford one, and this was for a substantial period of time (that is, this was not a transient displacement but the honest characterization of your housing), then yes I would consider that homeless. I just think you need to be judicious about it. Like, what are the circumstances? How did you end up without stable housing? You would have to justify these on your AMCAS.

 

[darkeon]

Most studies done on homelessness would define it in such a manner that you most certainly qualify as, so yes.

 

[LittleBrother]

On a technical note:

What is your purpose for bringing this up? Do you intend to identify as a "disadvantaged student" per AMCAS?