<p>My mother got laid off today. She was the only breadwinner of the family, so now both of my parents are unemployed. And so far I have submitted my UC and USC apps. Question is, will changing my mother's occupation status in my application raise my admission chances since now I come from a disadvantaged background (Not just for UCs and USC but other need-blind universities/college as well)? And should I change it? Pros and Cons?</p>
<p>Personal Info- CC transfer, Asian/Chinese, GPA 3.5</p>
<p>If they are need blind then they are blind to your ‘disadvantaged’ status. I don’t think that your mother’s employment status will make one bit of difference for need blind admissions. Unless of course this is some weird UC thing. You might ask in the UC transfer forum.</p>
<p>It could make a very big difference for FA purposes though. I would make sure that you fill out FA forms appropriately. Make sure they don’t offer you a FA package based on your mom’s former income.</p>
<p>Bump? Need more opinion.</p>
<p>Would you guys consider this an advantage in college admissions?</p>
<p>Also none of my essays were about coming from a disadvantage background.</p>
<p>And lastly, I read that a wealthy/well-off background might actually hurt you in the admission process. Since my mom was a VP of a Bank prior to her termination.</p>
<p>You aren’t from a disadvantaged background. You are just another middle-class kid whose parent is out of work. Make sure to let the financial aid offices know about the change in your situation.</p>
<p>My mom got laid off as I was filling out college apps in my senior year. She was a single mom and when it happened, we went from “broke” to “panicking.” To make ends meet, she took out her 401K. Not the wisest decision looking back. Because her $24,000 income went up to $64,000 in the eyes of the FA department. I couldn’t afford to go to a single school on my list because none of them offered me any aid other than a $8,000 merit scholarship. So, I applied and went to UMASS.</p>
<p>On top of that, when her income was $20,000 the next year around FAFSA time, the college didn’t exactly believe me and demanded documents of assets, etc. The FA process was so messy that I didn’t get any aid my second year, either. (But UMASS claimed to have misplaced several of my documents.)</p>
<p>So, in short, make sure that your family knows the consequences of doing what they need to do to make ends meet. And if they have to take out their 401K, make sure they set some aside for your tuition. . . .</p>