<p>You are first generation.The alternative would be the scholarship/application/whatever only applies to kids who were born abroad and immigrated to the US with their parents. I don't think that would be the case here.</p>
<p>I'd go with 1st generation since you can claim it per sources-Wikipedia- and let the school decide you're not. They will probably have your and your parents' birthplaces on your application and can determine if you fit their criteria. If you don't try they most likely won't offer any special considerations even if you are elegible, the worst they can do is deny your claim. A can't hurt, may help situation. And the immigration issue doesn't even mean a person is necessarily disadvantaged. I am reminded that because my H is from India, with a different home primary language, we had forms to fill out for kindergarten- son was already reading and writing and H's command of English was better than most teachers'.</p>
<p>Mombot, it helps to be able to read Japanese. Issei comes from the Japanese for "first generation," and nisei means second generation. This has been my usage throughout my life in English, probably influenced by this well known example of terminology describing Japanese-Americans: the first generation to leave the ancestral country and settle and live in (and possibly become permanent residents or naturalized citizens of) the new country are called "first-generation Americans" (or first-generation Britons or whatever), while their children are called "second-generation" persons in the new country. </p>
<p>The Wikipedia article is helpful in exposing that many authors are inconsistent with other authors in how they use these terms in English, perhaps in part because different immigrant communities have different ancestral-language terms for the same fact that set the count in inconsistent ways. </p>
<p>P.S. My wife, who was born in another country and who became first a United States permanent resident and then a naturalized citizen of the United States as an adult, is a first-generation American. But all of our children have ancestry through me of more American generations than we can count :) so the count stops there in my family.</p>
<p>The usage I have seen throughout is you are second-generation American. This "generation" business refers to immigrants. When your parent immigrated to US, they constitued the 1st generation here. Their new-borned (if borned in US) will constitue the 2nd generation, which you are.</p>
<p>If your Irish grand parents came here in the 1930's gave birth in US to your parents, and you are borned of your parent in the US, then you no longer have any immigrant affiliation because an entire generation has passed that was borned in the US (your parents). Then you are an American native (not Native American which has whole different meaning).</p>
<p>Agree with posts #20 and #21. You are a first generation American.</p>
<p>Your parents are immigrants or, if they take the citizenship oath, are naturalized citizens.
They would represent the last generation in the old country; you are the first in this country.</p>
<p>Agree completely. Your parents are immigrants. You are a first generation American.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My parents immigrated to that States after finishing their undergrad education. Within a few years, I came out of my momma (in a hospital in CA).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Without a serious doubt you are a second-generation American, which was the thrust of your question.</p>
<p>What happens if the parents didn't become naturalized citizens?</p>
<p>From Merriam-Webster:</p>
<p>first-gen·er·a·tion</p>
<p>adjective
Definition:</p>
<ol>
<li>with immigrant parents: relating to or being the children of parents who have left one country to settle in another</li>
</ol>
<p>This must be a concept that is morphing over the years. My parents who would be close to 100 now if they lived, considered 1st generation as parents who immigrated to the states and made their home there and 2nd generation those children born to their 1st generation immigrant parents. Many immigrants arrived in the U.S. at age 12 or 16! They aren't first generation? Also a first generation marries a 12th generation and the child is first generation, I don't think so. Japanese immigrant terms do not correspond with American immigrant terms. Answer this question, were the pilgrims first generation immigrants? First generation immigrants have the perspective of two worlds: the one they come from and the one where they are now living. Their second generation children are more able to assimilate. Native Americans immigrated thousands of years ago so they were at one time first generation. The human race is a race of immigrants.</p>
<p>I've always considered myself first generation -- the first generation in my family to have been born in this country. My parents were immigrants.</p>
<p>To settle this, at the end of the day, in relation to college applications, it depends on the school.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's input!</p>
<p>/end thread haha</p>
<p>all right, so here's a conundrum (no real reason, just curious):</p>
<p>when my family moved to the u.s. from europe, i was 11 years old and my sister was eight. we grew up here, are fully assimilated, and have no discernible accent (unless "totally unremarkable mid-atlantic" counts as an accent); we feel more at home here than we do in the country of our citizenship. assuming that we at some point become naturalized citizens, what exactly are we?</p>
<p>Citizens of the 21st century!</p>
<p>ha, good answer. :)</p>
<p>So, basically, are you first generation if you immigrated WITH your parents to a new country (born in one country, but grew up in another)?</p>
<p>
[quote]
So, basically, are you first generation if you immigrated WITH your parents to a new country (born in one country, but grew up in another)?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As the OP correctly pointed out, colleges can define their terms how they like, so it's best to ask the college if this question comes up on an application form. And the Wikipedia article already cited in this thread by another participant points out that English usage is (somewhat) inconsistent on this point. But to answer your question, yes, if you started out as an inhabitant of another country, but came here to stay, you are a first-generation American. That's how I speak and write English, and I am descended from MANY generations of native speakers of English, going all the way back to Old English. </p>
<p>By the way, I count how many generations I am a Minnesotan in the same way: a remote ancestor of mine and his children left another state to settle here when this was still Michigan Territory, and I count both of those generations as first-generation Minnesotan in my family. </p>
<p>Good luck in your applications. Ask your college of choice if you are in doubt about how to answer a question on the college's application form.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I recall from earlier posts of yours that your parents are diplomats (NOT intending immigrants), but anyway, regardless of that and based on what you said, if you settle here in the United States, you are then a first-generation American.</p>
<p>my parents are diplomats; i intend to settle down here. they're applying for green cards and may stay, too, but it's less certain.</p>
<p>mim has it exactly; post 31. I have always interpreted first generation as you have referenced it, as meaning first generation born in America. Not as first generation to visit, not as first generation to be naturalized, and not as first generation here when Columbus landed. Your parents are considered immigrants and presumably naturalized citizens. On that premise they are Americans; but are naturalized citizens not first generation born in the U.S.</p>