<p>Are low incomers at a disadvantage in college admissions (simply because they are low income, <60,000) when applying to HYPSM?</p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>No? why would they be? admission is need blind. if anything, low income status is somewhat of a hook? overcoming adversity…
or am i high?</p>
<p>It’s a hook. HYPSM are need-blind.</p>
<p>It’s crack; everyone sells it.</p>
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No, not directly. Not only are the schools need-blind, they may see a story of overcoming or living with hardship as a positive.</p>
<p>Yes, indirectly. The system set up has it so the vast majority of low-income people receive sub-par educations, living in environments (both at home and in the neighborhood) that are not conducive to study. Further, the lack of parental resources may not only stand in the way of educational improvement, but may also cause minors to abandon school in order to work and support their families. Those of us who are poor and still receive a good education are in a minority.</p>
<p>Poor students usually cannot afford the transportation costs and fees associated with a lot of extracurricular activities (not to mention the time), nor are tutors, prep courses, or summer programs readily available or affordable. So while a poor student with the same stats as a rich student may be viewed as equally good (or perhaps a bit better for their hardships), reaching that point is far harder.</p>
<p>If you are academically competitive and low income, there is no reason you shouldn’t apply. There are application fee waivers (and they’re life-savers).</p>
<p>Definitely, not because it is that much harder to apply than rich kids, but because to get at the same level, you have to work harder. Trust me, there are so many little nuances of being poor that many rich people would never recognize (or imagine) that can severely hinder your ability to perform well in the end.</p>
<p>For some obvious examples of mine: poor vs. rich
Biking 7 miles vs. driving 7 miles
getting a job to support family = no homework time vs. not getting a job
2 chances @ SAT vs. > 2 chances to fall back on
some days without eating vs. everyday with eating
never being picky vs. you can afford to be picky
getting it right the first time vs. plenty of chances
when bike wheel gets stolen = walk 7 miles vs. get a new bike wheel or don’t even have to worry because you drive
waking up before 5 vs. getting up at 6:40
happy to get 6 hours of sleep vs. wailing/complaining about getting only 6 hours
Worrying about all ^ that stuff vs. not have to worry
…
you see my point? 
:(</p>
<p>So you’re not at a disadvantage directly in the admission cycle per se, but to get on par with being a potential candidate, it is so much harder.</p>
<p>So I would say, two candidates with the exact same scores and grades:</p>
<p>low income person > high income person</p>
<p>In which finally in this case irony is good: low>high 
Someone at a disadvantage might have an advantage over an advantaged person due to income barriers and performing just as well.</p>
<p>Low income kids who are distinguished are not at a disadvantage. You should look up Questbridge – a program that funnels high achieving low income kids into top schools. Many of the schools you listed are participants and HIGHLY FAVOR top Questbridge applicants.</p>
<p>The problem is that many kids from low income situations usually suffer poor schools as well. In general (and I’m sure you agree), the education level for the average lower income kid is less than for higher income kids. that being said, top schools also know that diamonds in the rough definitely exist and look long and hard, spend lots of extra money and manhours – trying to find those kids.</p>
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<p>This is spot on.</p>
<p>But if the question is whether - all other things being equal - Harvard will discriminate against low-income applicants because they’d be freebies, the answer is “No, probably the opposite.” For centuries, Harvard missed claiming as alumni their fair share of highly-talented lower-income students. Over the last generation, they’ve determined to correct that.</p>
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<p>This is pretty much what I would have said. </p>
<p>Though “low-income” is itself a problematic indicator of educational advantage/disadvantage. For example, my family’s income was roughly at the Federal Income Poverty Line when I was in high school. But my father is well-educated and education was a high priority in our household. My parents would have sooner starved than let me work 50 hours a week or something if it would have interfered my education. Of course, I did have to work, but my point is that no two “low-income families” are alike in their children’s prospects for education. Furthermore, I lived in Massachusetts, where public schools are ubiquitously strong and private schools have the cash to give out full-boat scholarships (mine did to me). Can’t say the same for Mississippi (apologies to you guys).</p>
<p>I agree with BillyMc and Dwight Eisenhower!</p>
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<p>Yes, but how exactly do they go about it? When a student has never had opportunities to win the Nobel Prize (in a manner of speaking), how do colleges discover the diamonds in the rough?</p>
<p>If you work very hard at getting very high GPA as well as SATs’ scores you will stand just as good a chance as any of your high achieving peers. Whether you have time to involve in other activities to shore up your resume is dependent upon your ability to take them on while fulfilling your daily responsibility to self & family.
Yes, it is hard to be poor and ambitious at the same time. But it also makes you a better prepared person for anything life will throw your way. It atually is a blessing to have less you know?</p>
<p>rsaxena: I don’t know exactly what H does but one of its peer schools has an “ambassador” program where current undergrads spend time on their vacations to visit schools that traditionally don’t send applicants. The pgm I’m thinking about is highly competitive and to be chosen as one of these “ambassadors” is a big deal --150 chosen from many hundreds of applicants. The pgm pays for some expenses.</p>
<p>Also, the use of Questbridge is a very direct solution too.</p>
<p>I don’t think Questbridge does a very good job marketing itself. I hadn’t heard about it until it was too late, and still don’t know very much about it. I imagine other low income students haven’t ever heard of it.</p>
<p>I’m not buying it people. I think that given a choice between solid candidates with comparable number of ECs, test results, etc HYPS will choose the student with average to above average financial resources. Go to the receptions for new admits and see who shows up - lots of legacies from fairly (or absurdly) successful families, plenty of kids from private schools. HYPS are trying to create a more balanced freshman class but I don’t believe there isn’t a preference for students that can pay their way, or at least more of their way, than a lower income applicant.</p>
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The former have legacy on their side, the latter come from “feeder” schools.</p>
<p>Hardly a fair comparison between an unhooked wealthy student and an unhooked poor student with the same stats and comparable activities/essays/recommendations.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I lived in Massachusetts, where public schools are ubiquitously strong and private schools have the cash to give out full-boat scholarships (mine did to me). Can’t say the same for Mississippi (apologies to you guys). </p>
<p>you would be surprised in Mississippi…have you ever been there?..African Americans can get into just about any, if not all, private high schools for a complete free ride…the problem is that when the students are with their African American friends who do not go to the private schools, they are chastised and ostracized by their own race…therefore many, not all, choose the other route.</p>
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<p>You are certainly allowed to make up things to fit your preconceived ideas but that doesn’t mean they’re worth anything to anyone else.</p>
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<p>My Mississippi comparison dealt more with the quality of public schools than the other thing I mentioned. My fault for being unclear.</p>