<p>I know that Ivies and highly selective schools are sometimes more lenient with the applications of underprivileged students (low test scores, lower grades, etc.). How can I make sure that the college knows I’m underprivileged, therefore explaining that my family doesn’t have money to pay for tutoring (especially for tests) and for fancy vacations, etc?</p>
<p>Write your essay about it. Admissions committees love essays about overcoming adversity, and not having money is a pretty big adversity.</p>
<p>Use application waivers, apply through Questbridge, show that you have attended programs for low income students or received need based FA to attend programs. </p>
<p>Do note that many families don’t have money for tutoring and fancy vacations, and that families with the same resources may have very different values. It’s usually much more straightforward to demonstrate your financial situation via programs like the ones listed above that have income limits than to discuss your circumstances subjectively.</p>
<p>Having no money for tutoring is not underprivileged, there are a lot of cheaper versions out there for free. Lots of kids have to learn on their own, no tutoring period. Becareful, it may sound whiney if you write in your essays.</p>
<p>Unless you have a really compelling story (like you were homeless, parents were destitute) I would avoid trying to portray yourself as underprivileged. No money for tutoring or vacations isn’t going to cut it and is not going to come across well in my opinion. If you are a first generation student colleges will know because you put in your parents info on the common app.</p>
<p>Each guid counselor will fill out a “school profile” which includes demographics of your school and the % of kids on free/reduced lunch – this is the main indicator of income level of students. That’ll indicate the relative offerings of your school. That being said, are you the singularly top achieving student right now? </p>
<p>If not, then don’t expect much slack from the most selective colleges. And don’t play the “pity” card. I was from an immigrant family, no outside tutoring, attended the top school of a large urban school district. I just cranked b/c I genuinely was a hungry, self motivated learner. Didn’t make any excuses. I got in to all schools applied. Good luck to you though</p>
<p>For my daughter, I think our financial situation was conveyed by the reccomendation letter by the GC to say she was on financial aid at the private school. Otherwise she didn’t mention it, except to explain what she did in the summers to earn money for special summer activities. I don’t think she thought of herself as underprivleged although we had some current unfortunate financial situation. If there are special circumstances, you can take a minutes to talk about it in one of the short essay opportunities like ‘Is there anything else we should know?’</p>
<p>As with other’s thoughts above, not having tutoring and vacations is pretty typical for many applicants, so that doesn’t really qualify. Yes there are kids who get that but it doesn’t make for special circumstance differentiation.</p>
<p>I don’t particularly think top schools wants kids with lower test scores/grades, unless its very clear that a distinct disadvantage set them back. Lack of money is not one of those disadvantages. Besides, the majority of students don’t have tutoring/test prep, regardless of their financial situation.</p>
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<p>I disagree with this blanket statement. It depends on the degree, and the OP doesn’t state this so it’s impossible to say how much of a disadvantage finances play in their college admissions. But for some students it is a real disadvantage that affects their academics, ECs, and many other parts of their lives.</p>
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It is the biggest disadvantage to have in this world. Of course, most people in America who say it mean they don’t have enough to buy things they want. But if you’re someone who doesn’t have enough for everything they need, then yes, there is no bigger disadvantage than poverty.</p>