Should I fill out disadvantaged?

[sdac]

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Hi all,

I know there are a lot of disadvantaged posts, but I couldn’t find one that could particularly answer my question. My childhood I grew up in a relatively affluent area and I went to a high school that offered me AP classes. As such, education wise I was not at a disadvantage.

However, economically I would consider my situation disadvantaged. My family income growing up (0-18) was approximately 20k-30k annually (varies because parents are self employed via owning their own nail salon) for a household of 6. Both my parents did not go to college (EO1 for both, if that matters). I’ve been on Medicaid my entire life and have been approved for the AAMC FAP. If it means anything, I have also received Pell grants and my entire college career I have worked every year to pay for college.

My question is whether I qualify for disadvantaged or not. My parents moved here to our current town at the age of 45 (I was 6 at the same) after saving for decades and taking a large mortgage. Thus, their hard work enabled me the opportunity to live in an affluent area and attend an average public school, but our income compared to the median in the town (approximately 100k per household) was extremely low and it showed when we were scrambling for funds to pay for food, bills, mortgage, etc.

I would appreciate it if you all would let me know what you think. I haven’t found a thread regarding being below the federal poverty line, but living in an affluent area. Thanks in advance!

 

[xDNA]

There is not hard rules to whether or not you're disadvantaged. If you feel you are disadvantaged, then fill it out. Each institution will determine if they agree with whether or not you are disadvantaged. This is my understanding.

 

[Crayola227]

Generally being at the poverty level where you are on needs based entitlement programs like Medicaid and food stamps, and getting FAP, makes it reasonable to consider.

 

[sdac]

Thank you for your responses!

I am just primarily concerned that if I check the box off, the admission committee will look up my town and see that the median income in my area is high and that my high school is not considered poor education, which would not truly reflect my family’s financial situation. I just don’t want committees to think I’m being dishonest.

 

[xDNA]

Someone's financial situation is not the sole determining factor as to whether or not that person is disadvantaged. FWIW, I grew up disadvantaged, but currently I live in the richest county in the United States. For reasons other than finances this county is still considered underserved by AAMC standards. Just be honest. Don't overthink it thats the key. If you truly feel you were disadvantaged then put it, if you feel despite your financial struggles you were well equipped to be where you are today then don't put disadvantaged. Either way its not gonna be the sole deciding factor to whether or not you gain acceptance into medical school.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Are you checking the box for being a first generation student? You should based on what you've described.

 

[sdac]

Yes I will at least put myself as first generation college student.

 

[ontiquicuo]

Did you enter college level with your peers, or were you behind?

 

[sdac]

I did not enter college behind as I mentioned that I grew up in an affluent town with an average public school. Educationally wise, I was as prepared as my peers. I just wanted to know if regardless of my academic opportunity if I should be labeled as disadvantaged from an income perspective and from my use of need based entitlement programs

 

[jhmmd]

Hi all,

I know there are a lot of disadvantaged posts, but I couldn’t find one that could particularly answer my question. My childhood I grew up in a relatively affluent area and I went to a high school that offered me AP classes. As such, education wise I was not at a disadvantage.

However, economically I would consider my situation disadvantaged. My family income growing up (0-18) was approximately 20k-30k annually (varies because parents are self employed via owning their own nail salon) for a household of 6. Both my parents did not go to college (EO1 for both, if that matters). I’ve been on Medicaid my entire life and have been approved for the AAMC FAP. If it means anything, I have also received Pell grants and my entire college career I have worked every year to pay for college.

My question is whether I qualify for disadvantaged or not. My parents moved here to our current town at the age of 45 (I was 6 at the same) after saving for decades and taking a large mortgage. Thus, their hard work enabled me the opportunity to live in an affluent area and attend an average public school, but our income compared to the median in the town (approximately 100k per household) was extremely low and it showed when we were scrambling for funds to pay for food, bills, mortgage, etc.

I would appreciate it if you all would let me know what you think. I haven’t found a thread regarding being below the federal poverty line, but living in an affluent area. Thanks in advance!

Usually this is enough to qualify as disadvantaged for socioeconomic purposes

 

[Crayola227]

Did you enter college level with your peers, or were you behind?

This isn't the only measure.

Somewhere I wrote a post about maintaining high grades while being chronically hungry.

Just because you can keep up with peers doesn't mean you didn't experience significantly low SES that should still be considered in assessing what you have done up to the point of application.

 

[LizzyM]

Just and FYI: if your parents were educated abroad, AMCAS won't show an EO score so you won't be tagged EO-1. Nonetheless, you can list your parents professions, highest educational attainment, etc as well as whether you received gov't benefits (Medicaid, free school lunch, etc), average annual household income, whether you worked prior to age 18 and if you contributed to household expenses, etc. That paints a certain picture. If you feel that you need additional space to provide a short paragraph about the disadvantage you experienced as a low income kid in a high income neighborhood, go ahead. You might want to focus on the sacrifices your parents made to be able to live in an excellent school district and the gratitude you feel for their efforts on your behalf.

 

[Kyler Mwwrray]

Did you feel your upbringing put you at a disadvantage compared to other peers that were in a better situation? Did you miss out on educational opportunities or extRacurriculars throughout K-12? Do you feel that you struggled in life because of what you’ve mentioned? If yes, then I think you could consider yourself disadvantaged.

 

[proudofmykids]

Did you feel your upbringing put you at a disadvantage compared to other peers that were in a better situation? Did you miss out on educational opportunities or extRacurriculars throughout K-12? Do you feel that you struggled in life because of what you’ve mentioned? If yes, then I think you could consider yourself disadvantaged.

Or, also include ways in which your disadvantages, despite your apparent success held you back from lack of funds for experiences, or lack of time due to working diminishing your education successes or extra curricula activities.

 

[EducatedGuesser]

Former Director of admissions here. You could easily write something like, "I've never considered myself disadvantaged in the traditional sense, but..." Then write your story as you have lived it. The readers of your essay will determine how they choose to respond to it. They will not bring judgment to your truth.