Need some advice: AMCAS disadvantaged status or no?

[JBOB]

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I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit in the past, but I'm still pretty unsure if I should check the box/write the essay or not and I would really appreciate some input from anyone familiar with the subject. Anyways... here's my reasoning for potentially applying as disadvantaged:

-My family has been below poverty line for my entire life (family of 8 with average income of 25K), although we never applied for federal assistance.
-Never had health insurance
-We lived in trailer parks across the country and moved too often for me to attend any school before 9th grade, so I was home schooled and primarily taught myself.
-Started working at 13, although I was not required to give my earnings to my parents/siblings
-Didn't receive any familial support during college due to lack of funds

Reasons not to apply disadvantaged:

-Scholarships/federal loans payed for all of college, so even though I did have to work throughout college to pay for food, books, ect, I never had to worry about paying for tuition.
-When I finally did go to public school in 9th grade it was by no means a bad school.

I don't want to sound like I'm trying to gain any sympathy on my application because I come from a relatively poor family, but on the other hand I do feel like I've overcome some obstacles... So I'm just not sure.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[TipToad]

Yes, you are disadvantaged.

 

[Sandstorm]

Yes, you are disadvantaged.

Agree

 

[LizzyM]

List it. It doesn't add a big boost but it does provide information that could make you an attractive candidate based on "life experience" that is rare among med school applicants.

 

[JBOB]

Thanks for your quick replies! I really appreciate it. I think I'll go ahead and write the short essay in that case.

 

[Sandstorm]

Thanks for your quick replies! I really appreciate it. I think I'll go ahead and write the short essay in that case.

The only way it negatively affects your app is if you were essentially looking for sympathy for something adcoms might see as whining/blowing things out of proportion.

I.e. I had one of my students ask me if they should put that they couldnt afford mcat prep courses under that category.

Your situation definitely does not fall under the ridiculous category, so it will not harm you..definitely worth giving it a shot to see if it helps at all.

Word of advice: keep it factual. Don't come off as though you're complaining or whining, just say hey this is what I went through... If that makes sense?