<p>My mother got her degree from China, though nobody here in the States recognizes it.</p>
<p>My father got a degree from Cornell, but he abandoned the family about 10 years ago.</p>
<p>So, how does this work for me?</p>
<p>Are you asking if you are a legacy? Yah, you are. I doubt you are the only one who doesn’t talk to his/her father. And proudly list your mother’s degree on the application, she earned it. I think admission cares more about you than her :)</p>
<p>If your mother has raised you I don’t know whether you should add your father (did he pay alimony&will he contribute to college, or did he fall off the earth as far as your family’s concerned?)
For Cornell, bringing up your father’s degree would make you legacy thouhg, a very advantageous position to have.
As for your mother, it depends if she got a 4 year degree or not. In addition, email colleges to ask whether the fact you’re first-generation American and the first person in your family who goes to college in the US makes you “first gen” for admission purposes, or if your mother having a degree (IF she has a 4 year degree from a Chinese university, not a 2 year degree or a diploma or certificate) is considered similar to having a parent with an American 4 year degree thus “not first gen” for admission purpose. I suspect the job your mother’s currently holding will also play into it - if she works in a convenience store, it won’t be looked at in the same way as if she’s vice president of a company…</p>
<p>Yeah, my mother is working a lame desk job.</p>
<p>My father disappeared from the country for his own personal stuff. He left behind a huge debt.</p>
<p>It’s a legacy that I’m not proud of.</p>
<p>You are not a first generation college student from any viewpoint. It’s not just the parent with whom you live or what country the degree is from.</p>