How to answer Disadvantaged question

[notfanning]

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I've heard conflicting advice on the manner in which I should answer the AMCAS "disadvantaged" question. I'm fairly certain I qualify, after discussing with my pre-med advisor, but I've received conflicting advice on the way in which I should approach the short essay. Is it better to answer in a fact-forward and detached manner, or emphasize how I worked to overcome the obstacles I've faced?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Goro]

What does the prompt ask for?

Overcoming obstacles is usually a separate prompt.

 

[notfanning]

What does the prompt ask for?

Overcoming obstacles is usually a separate prompt.

Ah, I was not aware that there is a separate prompt for overcoming obstacles, thank you. The exact wording is "Please use the space to explain why you believe you should be considered a disadvantaged applicant by your designated medical schools."

 

[Goro]

Ah, I was not aware that there is a separate prompt for overcoming obstacles, thank you. The exact wording is "Please use the space to explain why you believe you should be considered a disadvantaged applicant by your designated medical schools."

The prompt asks nothing about "how I worked to overcome the obstacles I've faced", and is quite self-explanatory.

In all seriousness, have you taken the MCAT yet?

 

[notfanning]

The prompt asks nothing about "how I worked to overcome the obstacles I've faced", and is quite self-explanatory.

In all seriousness, have you taken the MCAT yet?

Yes, took it last Friday. Why?

 

[notfanning]

The prompt asks nothing about "how I worked to overcome the obstacles I've faced", and is quite self-explanatory.

In all seriousness, have you taken the MCAT yet?

I’ve also heard different advice between my advisor, a professor, and a few of my school’s alums in terms of answering the question. Some say to be clinical and only relay information, while others have said I should be sure to include emotion and state how it’s affected me. So I wanted to get another opinion here.

 

[Med Ed]

I’ve also heard different advice between my advisor, a professor, and a few of my school’s alums in terms of answering the question. Some say to be clinical and only relay information, while others have said I should be sure to include emotion and state how it’s affected me. So I wanted to get another opinion here.

When all else fails, follow the directions.

 

[Goro]

Yes, took it last Friday. Why?

My very some answer didn't penetrate. That makes me worry about your reading comprehension. Seriously.

 

[notfanning]

My very some answer didn't penetrate. That makes me worry about your reading comprehension. Seriously.

I understood very well that you were trying to insult my reading comprehension skills by suggesting the Disadvantaged question was simple and I wouldn’t do well on the MCAT because I don’t agree. CARS has always been my strongest section 🙂

 

[candbgirl]

I doubt someone is going to come along and tell you what to say. It’s your application and only you can answer the questions.

 

[notfanning]

I doubt someone is going to come along and tell you what to say. It’s your application and only you can answer the questions.

I was looking more for advice on what manner others have approached/been told to approach the question by others than asking exactly what to say, but thanks.

 

[candbgirl]

I was looking more for advice on what manner others have approached/been told to approach the question by others than asking exactly what to say, but thanks.

The prompt is clear. Why do you believe you should be considered disadvantaged. You just have to trust your gut and answer the prompt. There is no right or wrong answer. This is about you.