Based on the definition provided by AAMC, which groups do you think are underrepresented? If you didn't have the information at your fingertips, what data would you look for to make this determination?
How do you think schools should factor in low income families, if at all? Does it make a difference if you are poor now (eligible for FAP) but were not poor in childhood or if you were poor in childhood but doing okay now and not eligible for FAP?
Google "Effective Practices for Using the AAMC Socioeconomic Status Indicators in Medical School Admissions" to find a pdf that you might find to be interesting reading. In particular see pages 5-7.
Interesting. It looks like I qualify for as "yes" for most of these.
Not really sure I understand how EO works. I never list my father on anything, considering he isn't even on my birth certificate, nor an US citizen, nor in my life, nor has a degree. Yet, my mother does have an undergraduate degree. So would I still be considered EO-3?
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Personal Essay and Experiences. These might provide insight about who an applicant is, what is
meaningful to them, and the road he or she has traveled to become a medical school applicant.
The “distance travelled” by a s
ocioeconomically disadvantaged applicant is often farther than
other applicants.
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Biographic Information. Applicants list country of birth, race, and ethnicity (displayed in the
AMCAS application where permitted by law), and language proficiencies.
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Self
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declared Disadvantaged. Applicants who select this are provided space to explain why they
view themselves as disadvantaged. Reasons often cited include where they were raised,
overcoming adversity, difficult family circumstances, and poor finances.
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Child
hood Home. Applicants can indicate if they feel their home was located in a rural or
medically underserved area.
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Applicant/Family Economic Circumstances. Applicants might indicate the number in their
household, an estimate of family income, employment befo
re age 18, contribution to family
income, and if their family received federal or state financial assistance.
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Educational Finance. Applicants indicate the percentage provided by academic and need
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based
scholarships, loans, and contributions by the family
and applicant.
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AAMC FAP Indicator. “Yes” signifies an applicant from a financially disadvantaged
background.
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AAMC EO
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1 and EO
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2 SES Indicators. “Yes” for either of these signifies applicants that might
be from a socioeconomically disadvantaged backgroun
d based on parental education and
occupation. In addition, “yes” for EO
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1 indicates a first generation college graduate.
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Pell Grant Indicator. “Yes” identifies applicants with demonstrated financial need relative to
family income and assets who are also
likely to come from a low socioeconomic backgrou
