Hey College Confidential, I’m applying to CSU schools right now and the application is asking about my parents education levels. I really don’t know what to put. My Dad went to Medical School in Colombia, and I have no idea whether that counts as a college degree when doing applications. My Upward Bound program is telling me to put his education level as High School Diploma, but I’m not too sure. Many consider college in other countries as not qualifying for 1st Generation, but others say it does qualify. My Dad’s Medical Degree doesn’t count for anything here in the United States and he knows little about the College Admissions process, which is why I feel like I should consider myself as a first generation student, because he can’t help me much in school or college admissions (language barrier). He also doesn’t make much money, since his degree doesn’t work in the US. On the other hand, he is still educated, and a kid coming from an educated background doesn’t really apply to a first generation student. If a kid had parents who both went to Cambridge, would he still be considered first generation? I’m so stuck ugghh.
I know a number of doctors practicing in the US who got their medical degree overseas.
How much your medical school graduate father earns is irrelevant. There are anthropology majors who earn little money. That doesn’t make their kids 1st gen.
You’re definitely NOT a 1st gen college student.
You’re not even half understanding how the “first generation” designation is used by colleges.
They are curious as to whether or not an applicant grew up in a background where the parents/family had access to or participated in only very limited education. i.e. were you left to fend for yourself b/c no books existed in your house, no one ever could help you with algebra homework and very few of your peers ever go to college. This in NO WAY, describes you or your siblings.
So stop grasping after this – there are millions of ACTUAL disadvantaged students. You’re not one. Be thankful.
You don’t have to decide if you are first gen. You only have to put down your parent’s education background, the schools will decide. If your dad went to med school I assume he also went to college. So just put that.
They do ask where, so they will get the idea if your parents were not really familiar with the procecc.
Upward Bound is not helping you and is actually doing you a disservice by telling you that your Father is only a high school graduate. I assume it takes more than a high school education to become a physician anywhere.
The counselors at Upward Bound should know better that you need to be honest on all paperwork.
Reread what @T26E4 has written. The schools want to see that despite having a non-educated background, that a first generation student was able to succeed with limited academic resources.
No, you are definitely NOT a first generation student.
PS: IDK about the CSU app but the common app also asks what your parents’ occupation is. It’s telling if your dad went to med school but currently drives a taxi, or whatever. Just be honest and if you feel a need to explain that he can’t use his credentials here and doesn’t even speak English or whatever, there’s a spot to mention it. Ask the Upward Bound folks about that option.