Hello CC! I’ve been a lurker here for a while, but I’ve had a question on my mind for a while, and was wondering if anyone could help. Really condensed version of stats first since not much time:
Grade: 11
IB Diploma- (HL) Chem, English, Econ (SL) Physics, Math, French, Current prediction without bonus marks is 38/42 (conversions are quite accurate at my school)
ECs- Local/provincial level, nothing outstanding/misc officer positions, writing competitions
Volunteering: 230 hours, personally significant
SAT: 2220 [M720, W750, CR750]
SATII: Math 800, Lit 800
I’ve read here that often students from a less fortunate background are viewed in a better light as they most likely didn’t have many opportunities growing up. That was true for me up until a few years ago, when my parents saved up enough money to buy a house and my father started his own business which is now doing quite well. I was an immigrant that lived in a bad (well…bad for my country) part of town. I had no extracurricular activities, books, vacations, etc. However, now my parents’ financial situation has changed (think from <30k to 100k+) and I go to a really good magnet school. (I don’t have tutors, prep courses or anythn
I know that admissions officers usually take an applicant’s circumstances into consideration in reviewing their applications, but considering that I’m in a magnet school as of now, would I just be viewed in the same way as everyone else in my school? Right now, I technically have the same opportunities that they do even though I obtained these opportunities way later…
I’m worried that if I mentioned this in an essay for example I would just be seen as whiny, but then again my upbringing has been different enough from that of my peers that I think this warrants /some/ kind of a mention…
The question is how to broach the topic in the first place. Has anyone been in a similar situation?
Well, technically you still have time to develop your opportunities into “ivy-level” interests in the 4 year span of high school.
I think you should definitely mention your upbringing though if you feel like it is significant enough to shape who you are today. For example: If you were a beggar on the street (extreme I know) and you went days without food, you should mention how that shaped your resilience and determination (shown through your strong academics, etc…)
You can’t just say: Oh my family was poor. You have to say, my family was poor and under these circumstances I grew as a person in XXX ways and I have evidence showing my growth through XXX activities, XXX grades/test scores, my situation sparked my passion for this so I want to become this in the future (just some rough ideas hope you get what I mean, it has to be about how YOU matured out of that difficult situation rather than just describe it and have no significance attached to it)
When did it change? If it changed when you were 12 will that be relevant to who you are at 18? Maybe yes, maybe no. You would have to show how this is relevant. If it changed at 15, then yes mention it but in a positive way as in ^ ^.
Thanks rdeng and Saphire! I think I would maybe mention it in an essay, but yeah thinking about it maybe it’s not such a good idea since I wasn’t literally homeless lol
And yeah, my family situation changed in the 9th grade, so I have had three years…well I’m not sure if my interests are “ivy-level”, but I have been working hard to develop them!
I personally think the best way to approach your situation is via your essays – note how radically different your lifestyles were before and after the change, and how you firsthand went through the situation to feel genuinely empathetic towards those who are in your prior state of socioeconomic circumstances.
Emphasize your “bridging” abilities and make sure to be involved in a few social activism clubs and community service organizations.
@sardinesalad I was giving an example. You don’t have to be homeless in order for your situation to be difficult. I’m just saying if your experiences have any affect on who you are today, then you should write about them.
Any difficult personal event can be highlighted in an essay to showcase the positive and/or learning effect it had on you. Most universities emphasize on essays that differentiate applicants from each other, and such personal events set you apart. I have seen students write excellent essays on getting a low grade in a simple assignment, and how that changed their lives. So your personal circumstances would make for very interesting reading, if presented correctly.
Are your life experiences different from those of your peers? I would bet they are - as an immigrant, as someone who has watched your family go from rags-to-riches (okay, cliche, but you get the idea), as someone who has had to figure out the system on your own. No reason not to incorporate this into your personal essays. “Ivy level” ECs are nice, but for those who also are learning to navigate a new universe, the energy/access/resources that would take are often not available. Admissions staff know that if you share it. Good luck!
