<p>I was wondering how much of a factor this would play in my application:
From 7th - 9th grade I was a part time employee for my parents dry cleaners. Wasn't paid of course, I had to support the family. We were pretty poor, still are I guess. After they sold the store a bunch of other issues came up and that put us in a deeper hole. I'm not looking for pity, but I'm just curious. Please PM me for more details, I feel a little uncomfortable explaining it out publicly.</p>
<p>They only look at the fact that you're poor....</p>
<p>They will cut you a break (especially if you're URM), but they don't necessarily care about your job.....just that you got through it and feel you've accomplished enough to deserve a Princeton education.</p>
<p>i agree, i come from a disadvantaged background as well, they definitely take that into consideration but i doubt there is a pity card. dont dwell on your past, but be optimistic fir your future..</p>
<p>I disagree, I think there IS a pity card....</p>
<p>Hypothetically speaking, say a poor hispanic female has parents who never went to college and who threw her out on the street when they found out she was a lesbian. Thereafter, she moves in with her suicidal gay uncle and starts working at McDonald's, etc.</p>
<p>I doubt such an incredibly disadvantaged candidate exists, but if she does, she will probably get in---especially if she shows interest in african american studies and provided she's taken a college prep coarse load.</p>
<p>I think that something that'd be perfect for an essay, but you have to be really careful about it. Obviously you do want readers to be sympathetic, but they don't want to see too much negativity. I mean, essays about your past have real potential to tell them a lot about you. So if you can work that, and essentially focus not on the hardships but on your overcoming them and have a positive ending, I think it's something they should consider.</p>
<p>Admissions is need-blind, meaning when they look at your application, your financial status is on the same level as every other applicant. So coming from a poor family won't help you in terms of admissions at all, unless, obviously, you let them know about your situation in an essay. Be careful with that essay though if you choose to write it (or chose to write it... what grade are you in, by the way?). Heed zantedeschia's advice.</p>