<p>When applying using the common app, how would you express that your family is low-income or below poverty line? Or should you at all?</p>
<p>I am assuming that Harvard, and most elite colleges, are looking for wealth diversity, or am I wrong?</p>
<p>Harvard seems to be in earnest about wanting more low-income students. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=510012%5B/url%5D">http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=510012</a> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.harvardindependent.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=9870%5B/url%5D">http://www.harvardindependent.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=9870</a> </p>
<p>Of course, some would-be applicants don't believe it, and there are plenty of wealthy people applying too. </p>
<p>I don't have any specific suggestions about which aspects of the Harvard application (which is the Common Application with the Harvard Supplement) are the best places for bringing up your family's economic background, but you should definitely mention it, to establish the context for your activities. "How you use your time is important" is what I heard in the most recent public meeting I attended at which a Harvard admission representative spoke. If your family is specifically "below poverty line," as that is defined in the country where you live, you should DEFINITELY mention that somewhere appropriate in your application, as that is indeed an unusual characteristic among Harvard applicants. </p>
<p>Good luck in your applications.</p>
<p>Beyond writing it in the essays, you can get a fee waiver for the application which sends that message too.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information tokenadult!</p>
<p>Christopher, about writing it in the essays... eh, I'm not sure I'd do that, that might be trying to bring too much attention to it. I don't want to make it seem as if I am trying to show it off.</p>
<p>Should I consider emailing or calling Harvard with the question? Like "What would be the best way to express my economic situation, if I should at all?"</p>
<p>You don't have to go out of your way to express it.
The admissions officers can figure that out through; your zip code, high school that you attend (if you're attending a mainly low-income one, info that you have to put on your app about what your parents' jobs and education, special programs that you may be in (Upward Bound, for instance is for low income and first generation college students), if you're in a private school, whether you're there on scholarship, whether you use a fee waiver for your app (which you should be doing if you're low income).</p>
<p>No reason to e-mail Harvard about this. Only write your essay about it if it's really the topic you wish to focus on. If there's something else that you'd prefer writing about, write about that. You don't have to center your application around your poverty.</p>
<p>Well the only problem is that I do not think my zip code or high school would particularly show much signs of low-income. Though I will get a fee-waiver, do you think that might be enough?</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely don't want to write an essay on it or make it the focus of my application, but I would like in some way to make it known, and I think some common ways of them knowing might not be apparent for me (like zip code and high school) so I feel in some way I should make it explicit. Maybe I should join Upward Bound???</p>
<p>Maybe your counselor could mention it?</p>
<p>A fee waiver is enough. You also can ask your counselor to mention it.
In addition, more than likely your parents' jobs and education will indicate your income level.</p>
<p>I am low income like below 24,000 for 2 people. Before this year my mom and I were on welfare. However, I go to a NYC magnet school so does this take away from being low income/ how much wright does being low income even carry? any answers will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>No one knows how much weight being low income or any other factor carries. Harvard is trying to attract more low income students to expand the economic diversity of its student body. Most low income people who have the academic preparation to get into a place like Harvard will have gone to either a prep school or some kind of magnet public or public school that has selective admissions because the regular public schools in low income neighborhoods wouldn't have the teachers and coursework that would allow students to get the scores and have the other academic preparation required for a place like Harvard</p>
<p>So, if you're interested in Harvard, apply. Use the various tips you'll find on this site. Make sure you have match schools and safeties that you know you can afford and would enjoy attending because no matter what their income level is or how high their grades are, 9 of 10 Harvard applicants will not get in.</p>
<p>Sorry for bumping an old thread.</p>
<p>I’m in a somewhat similar situation. I’m very low income (10k for a two parent household) and we get by without insurance and heating. I attend an average public school.</p>
<p>I can see myself discussing my low income in an essay, and talking about how it’s impacted my future goals. However, I’m not sure whether I should do this. I’d feel like I’m trying to show off my income level.</p>
<p>Well… for that kind of low income level, you should qualify for a federal meal assistance at your public school. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t write it in your essay, but I’d write it in the “Additional Information” section of your Common Application. That’s always the place to write in your extenuating circumstances. It could be anything really. When I applied to Yale, I wrote about how I could only do ECs in my school/neighborhood area because nobody could drive me around, and I had to take the bus everyday. Nothing too special, but it better highlighted my circumstances. </p>
<p>Just write honestly about it in the “Additional Information” section, don’t be fancy or dramatic. Just tell them directly about your situation. Applying for a fee waiver is also a clear indication. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the response. It was helpful :)</p>