I don’t think there are any advantages to being poor. Parents who are middle income are more likely to be able to afford to send their kids to college than low income parents. Students from middle income families are far less likely to have to work to contribute to family finances or babysit younger siblings while parents work than low income students. They have more time to study and explore ECs, and they’re much more likely to have the resources needed to create successful college applications. Even when a kid from a low income family gets into an elite school, they face a lot of challenges. I’d much rather raise my kids in a middle income household and send them to a state school than have them live in a low income household for a tiny chance at attending an Ivy.
@3SHTA - Here’s a timely article in this week’s Wesleyan paper regarding First Gen, Low-Income (FGLI) resources:
Going forward, Colvin and Ruiz are implementing a new year-long program series entitled FTF Next Steps for FGLI students. The aim is to provide FGLI students with extra support, connections, and tools. The program seeks to foster a greater sense of community through a series of events, each addressing a specific topic. The FTF Next Steps programs for Fall 2021 will take place throughout the semester and will include topics such as Academic Life at Wes, Navigating Classism, FGLI and Family, Building Your Academic Path, and Navigating the End of Term. More information pertaining to FTF Next Steps and its events can be found on the Resource Center’s Facebook account.
The Wesleyan Argus | First Things First Summer Orientation Engages FGLI Students
“The pandemic shined a light on health care disparities. That could motivate somebody who says, ‘I want to make a difference in the world. What’s a pathway for doing this?’”
The path to medical school also got a bit easier, thanks to several changes. One was the widespread shift by schools to interview applicants remotely to avoid the risk of spreading the coronavirus through travel and in-person meetings. Choksi believes that change increased the number of people who applied and how many schools they applied to, because each application didn’t require travel costs and time off from school or work.
Costs also dropped for some because the criteria expanded for people to qualify for fee assistance for the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) and fee waivers for medical school applications. (Some of those changes were in the works before the pandemic and happened to kick in then.)
“We [UMSOM] had an increase in the number of applicants qualifying for [the Fee Assistance Program],” said Quezada, referring to the AAMC’s program that includes reduced MCAT fees, as well as waivers for medical school application fees.
Did you post your reply on the wrong thread? This one is for undergrads. @circuitrider
eta: I see this thread has changed course from UG to medschool admissions.
The UCs definitely take disadvantaged backgrounds into account, here’s one of their criteria:
“Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.”
The UC app deadline has passed but there’s a question on overcoming hardships that I hope you selected as one of your short answers. I know you mentioned private universities in your OP, but not sure it will help since both your parents went to college, as others have mentioned.