Is my upbringing a weakness in my application?

[littleblue888]

For context, I lived in CA until I was 6, where I then moved to China. I lived in China until I graduated high school. I am a US citizen, and I speak both English and Mandarin at a native level. I did not attend a public Chinese school, it was an international school that followed an American curriculum. I am currently a GA resident as I moved here for college. The rest of my family are still in CA (other than my parents, who stayed in China).

Would my upbringing be considered a weakness in my application? Since I didn't graduate from an American HS and spent the majority of my childhood in another country, could schools interpret this as me having no ties to any particular community in the US?

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[Mr.Smile12]

Why do you think it's a weakness that you attended an international American school?

 

[littleblue888]

Why do you think it's a weakness that you attended an international American school?

I was told that because I practically haven't lived in the US (other than in CA during my very early childhood and in GA for my 4 years in college), I don't have strong ties to any community in the US, and that this could put me at a disadvantage. I don't know if this is accurate, though, but they seemed very adamant about this, especially about me having zero ties to CA even though most of my family lives there, I visited very often throughout my time in China, and I intend to return there for my career. I've been hearing mixed opinions about this.

 

[Goro]

You were told wrong

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Your metrics don't suggest that attending an international American school put you at a disadvantage. Whoever told you it was a disadvantage is trying to undermine your confidence. Hint: diversity essay.

 

[SpicyHotSauce]

Hey! Firstly, I'd appreciate it if you don't quote this.

I had a similar upbringing to you! I was born in the Midwest, and moved to an Asian country (not East Asia) when I was in elementary School. I came back to the US for undergrad and medical school, I am about to wrap up my first year of medical school!

So to answer your question, no. It will not hurt you. In fact, I believe it is considered a positive, everyone in medical school so far (students and professors) are always interested in knowing more about my background and upbringing. You could use your upbringing in your unique/diversity essays (mine certainly included it, and I also talked about my other interests too).

In one of my interviews, my interviewer had my AMCAS application in his hands. The very first thing he looked at and said "I see you completed high school in [insert country], please tell me more about it." I think the first 15 minutes of the interview was just discussing this, and he even asked me to compare the health systems in the US and the country I grew up in, and one thing that the US healthcare system can learn from. So be prepared to talk about it during applications too!

I should also mention that, politically, this country I grew up is often negatively seen in US media and the average American will think that anyone from this country is our "enemy".

 

[holdthemayo]

I was told that because I practically haven't lived in the US (other than in CA during my very early childhood and in GA for my 4 years in college), I don't have strong ties to any community in the US, and that this could put me at a disadvantage. I don't know if this is accurate, though, but they seemed very adamant about this, especially about me having zero ties to CA even though most of my family lives there, I visited very often throughout my time in China, and I intend to return there for my career. I've been hearing mixed opinions about this.

I'm confused how having a more interesting upbringing and being bilingual could be seen as a negative. Provided you check the other boxes, this only makes you more attractive as an applicant. Whoever told you otherwise has no idea what they are talking about.