Should I apply as disadvantaged?

[brainsRcool]

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Questions answered

 

[Catalystik]

So I'm in a unique situation, and I need some advice. I was accepted to a program early, so I already know where I am going to medical school, but I have to fill out an application through the aamc, in order to matriculate.

I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, and I just got to the childhood and disadvantaged section. I qualify to apply as disadvantaged, I'm the first female in my family to go to college and definitely the first to even consider graduate school. I've paid my own way through college (merit scholarships for about 90-95% and then financial aide for the rest, and I worked in the dorms for a place to live.) Then I made good connections to get me into the medical school so I could save money from applications/interviews. I don't know if I should even bother applying as disadvantaged though, because I don't need it to help me get into medical school, and don't want to take away from another applicant who may need this assistance. A few of my friends think I should apply as disadvantaged, because they say it would help with financial aide for medical school? In the past year my Dad has had things work out for him, so he is making more money, but that still does not affect me, because I do my own taxes etc. and don't receive anything from him. However, I've read that unless I get a formal emancipation I would still have to apply under him, but I'm 21 (will be 22 in medical school) and file as an independent (all credit cards, lease agreements, power bills, etc. are in my name). The only thing I have that I don't pay for is health insurance from my mother's work.

The last thing I want to do is have my school see me as "trying to pull a fast one" but I also don't want to miss out on a chance at financial aide that I desperately need. Just some extra background: I haven't applied for waivers/assistance before, because a community foundation paid for my MCAT. I feel uncomfortable for applying for aide most of the time, but know I can't swing the full cost of medical school and have already been applying for merit scholarships. Any advice on this application/financial aide would be much appreciated! Thank you so much.

Disadvantaged status refers to your family situation when you were younger than 18 years old. Do a Search for the search-term "Disadvantaged" posted by LizzyM. She has many posts about when it is or isn't appropriate to use this designation.

 

[LizzyM]

Three things:
The correct spelling is Financial Aid. Aide is a helper while Aid is help.
Checking the disadvantaged box is completely separate from financial aid decisions.
There is little incentive to schools to admit applicants who check the box but it does help to identify students who may have struggled in college because they came from poorly performing k-12 programs with little in the way of enrichment (access to after school activities, summer programs, etc). Some schools may see these applicants as adding to the diversity of its student body.

 

[Goro]

You're not disadvantaged.

So I'm in a unique situation, and I need some advice. I was accepted to a program early, so I already know where I am going to medical school, but I have to fill out an application through the aamc, in order to matriculate.

I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, and I just got to the childhood and disadvantaged section. I qualify to apply as disadvantaged, I'm the first female in my family to go to college and definitely the first to even consider graduate school. I've paid my own way through college (merit scholarships for about 90-95% and then financial aide for the rest, and I worked in the dorms for a place to live.) Then I made good connections to get me into the medical school so I could save money from applications/interviews. I don't know if I should even bother applying as disadvantaged though, because I don't need it to help me get into medical school, and don't want to take away from another applicant who may need this assistance. A few of my friends think I should apply as disadvantaged, because they say it would help with financial aide for medical school? In the past year my Dad has had things work out for him, so he is making more money, but that still does not affect me, because I do my own taxes etc. and don't receive anything from him. However, I've read that unless I get a formal emancipation I would still have to apply under him, but I'm 21 (will be 22 in medical school) and file as an independent (all credit cards, lease agreements, power bills, etc. are in my name). The only thing I have that I don't pay for is health insurance from my mother's work.

The last thing I want to do is have my school see me as "trying to pull a fast one" but I also don't want to miss out on a chance at financial aide that I desperately need. Just some extra background: I haven't applied for waivers/assistance before, because a community foundation paid for my MCAT. I feel uncomfortable for applying for aide most of the time, but know I can't swing the full cost of medical school and have already been applying for merit scholarships. Any advice on this application/financial aide would be much appreciated! Thank you so much.

 

[brainsRcool]

Thank you so much! I didn't even realize there was a difference between Aide and Aid, so I appreciate the learning opportunity =).
I spoke to my advisor this morning, and he said that I don't have to flag as disadvantaged if I've already entered my information for the high school I went to, and my parents average income for the first 20 years of my life. He said they already considered those things when I was accepted last year and if I'm only applying to them, it's a waste of time to go through the aamc process to tell them what they already know. This application is just a formality. I just wasn't sure if I needed to prove those things on my application for financial aid, but knowing that it's separate gives me peace of mind! He also assured me that because of my service to the university and my previous financial aid, he doubts that I'll be expected to pay in full, and sent me links to more scholarship opportunities, so I'm feeling a lot better! You all rock <3

 

[DokterMom]

Yes, apply as "disadvantaged" but in your statement, say something to the effect of "It's hard to consider myself disadvantaged when I've been so fortunate to receive... from so many generous benefactors. Because of this assistance I've been able to ..."