no AMCAS selection for parent is a bum...

[pocwana]

so what did you select as an occupation if your parent(s) doesn't(don't) work?
is it really that difficult to add a "none" option...

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[SMW]

Homemaker?

 

[pocwana]

but homemaker implies the parent actually does something like cooking or cleaning...
(and i think a homemaker might be insulted to be in a category with bum)
thanks for the suggestion 🙂

 

[SMW]

You really have a bum for a parent? (Sounds like you might be able to apply as "disadvantaged.") There's no unemployed or retired option?

 

[pocwana]

no unemployed option.
and retired would imply having worked at some point to earn retirement status, though the retired option isn't on their either. (and i'm sorry if i sound harsh. i'm not taking it out on you, SMW. i just can't believe amcas wouldn't have this option.)

 

[CANES2006]

Yeah, that part of AMCAS really annoyed me last year. Something that also annoys me about the financial aspect of medical school is how the medical schools always ask you for the income tax returns of both parents. My dad isn't dead, but for me, he is dead for the most part. He turned his back on me when I entered college because he didn't want to help in the expenses (not like he was really in my life to begin with). The medical schools never believe me when I say that my father doesn't help out in the expenses (don't know why it is so hard to fathom this...it isn't like I'm the only girl in the U.S. whose dad is an a$$hole). So, to avoid confusions, I just leave the questions asking for father's info. blank. If they ask about my father's income tax, I just say he is dead. Avoids complications.

 

[zephyr_97]

But what happens if my father is really unemployed. There is no such selection. Thanks,

Z.

 

[pocwana]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by CANES2006:
•Yeah, that part of AMCAS really annoyed me last year. Something that also annoys me about the financial aspect of medical school is how the medical schools always ask you for the income tax returns of both parents. My dad isn't dead, but for me, he is dead for the most part. He turned his back on me when I entered college because he didn't want to help in the expenses (not like he was really in my life to begin with). The medical schools never believe me when I say that my father doesn't help out in the expenses (don't know why it is so hard to fathom this...it isn't like I'm the only girl in the U.S. whose dad is an a$$hole). So, to avoid confusions, I just leave the questions asking for father's info. blank. If they ask about my father's income tax, I just say he is dead. Avoids complications.•••••I'm sorry to hear this about your dad, canes. Unfortunately, I, and I'm sure many other people, can relate to your experience. I don't want to get started on my dad, so I was just wondering if you could let us know what you eventually did with this part. Did you completely exclude him from your AMCAS application?
Thanks for your reply
--pocwana

 

[CANES2006]

In my AMCAS, I just included my mom's info. I did not include my dad for anything. Whenever they asked me for my dad's information, I left it blank. It shouldn't be a problem (I didn't face any problems until after I got accepted and they were determining financial aid). Hope this helps.

 

[biophysicbadass]

Hey,
I have a similar problem. My Dad's a bum too, but becuase he has been a mood disorder patient for many years. It all hit the fan when I went away to college, I had to work my arse off and school still wouldn't give me financial aid because my mom was working her arse off to save house from foreclosure, pay med bills, etc. Ridiculous! Although my dad worked to my advantage at the end of college when my parent's divorced and I used his income for financial aid, which was like nothing, so I got a ****load of grant money. So I was also looking for bum, or professional patient on the AMCAS app too. I settled with unemployed. I also think it is so ridiculous that we have to put parents info until we are 30 YEARS OLD! It makes me so mad, becoming a doctor is really for people whose families have money. Sorry all, just wanted to vent. So what are the implications of applying disadvantaged? I was under the impression that was for people who had grown up disadvantaged, not necessarily during college.

 

[pocwana]

hmmm
i haven't submitted yet and until now, i've just left the occupation category at "select an occupation". when i print, no dad on printed app.
out of curiosity, i selected "administrative assistant" (because it was the 1st option). when i print this, dad is on printed app.
and i had to <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> when i saw an actual title next to his name.

think i'm going to e-mail or call amcas and ask them whether his info is transmitted to the schools if he's not on the printed app. if so, think i'm gonna go with canes just leave him out suggestion.

thanks you guys!

 

[CANES2006]

If you put dad's info. on the application it will be transmitted to the schools, regardless of whether it shows up on the printed application or not. Just leave it blank, you can't go wrong. 🙂

 

[CANES2006]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by biophysicbadass:
•Hey,
I have a similar problem. My Dad's a bum too, but becuase he has been a mood disorder patient for many years. It all hit the fan when I went away to college, I had to work my arse off and school still wouldn't give me financial aid because my mom was working her arse off to save house from foreclosure, pay med bills, etc. Ridiculous! Although my dad worked to my advantage at the end of college when my parent's divorced and I used his income for financial aid, which was like nothing, so I got a ****load of grant money. So I was also looking for bum, or professional patient on the AMCAS app too. I settled with unemployed. I also think it is so ridiculous that we have to put parents info until we are 30 YEARS OLD! It makes me so mad, becoming a doctor is really for people whose families have money. Sorry all, just wanted to vent. So what are the implications of applying disadvantaged? I was under the impression that was for people who had grown up disadvantaged, not necessarily during college.•••••I can totally relate when they deny you financial aid because one parent makes a decent living. Hello!!! It is just one paycheck damn it. 😡 They forget to deduct all of the other expenses that go into sustaining a household and other family members (i.e. grandparent). My dad is a bum because he doesn't give me anything. The thing that pisses me off is that he can if he wanted to. He is a businessman and makes a hole s**tload of money "under the table" if you know what I mean. If I would put down the amount of money he has (not like I see one red penny of it anyway), I don't think I would even get loans. 😛 Whatever...things like this really make me mad. I'm sorry for the rant.

 

[pocwana]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by CANES2006:
•Whatever...things like this really make me mad. I'm sorry for the rant.•••••Hey, you have a reason to rant.
If anyone has a complaint, they can choose not to read. I know how frustrating it can be, so rant away 🙂

 

[jlw2004]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by biophysicbadass:
•Hey,
I have a similar problem. My Dad's a bum too, but becuase he has been a mood disorder patient for many years. It all hit the fan when I went away to college, I had to work my arse off and school still wouldn't give me financial aid because my mom was working her arse off to save house from foreclosure, pay med bills, etc. Ridiculous! Although my dad worked to my advantage at the end of college when my parent's divorced and I used his income for financial aid, which was like nothing, so I got a ****load of grant money. So I was also looking for bum, or professional patient on the AMCAS app too. I settled with unemployed. I also think it is so ridiculous that we have to put parents info until we are 30 YEARS OLD! It makes me so mad, becoming a doctor is really for people whose families have money. Sorry all, just wanted to vent. So what are the implications of applying disadvantaged? I was under the impression that was for people who had grown up disadvantaged, not necessarily during college.•••••Bad news -- depending on the school you may still have to submit parental data AFTER age 30, even though you're (like me) married with 2 kids. 😡 What a ridiculous system!