<p>So my mom is Japanese and she has the Japanese equivalent to an Associate's degree. My father is American, but he joined the Navy after graduating and got a degree from the University of Phoenix's online program. I never considered myself a first generation student.
I talked to my college and career center specialist today, and I told her this information, and she told me I would be considered a first generation college student (I'm currently a sophomore) because my mom has a foreign degree and my dad did not go the traditional route for college. Is this true? How much would this affect me in college applications? Thanks!</p>
<p>It is a bit early for you to be sweating these small details. I strongly suggest you focus on your schoolwork and just learning about different colleges on breaks. You don’t have to worry about it, the colleges will do it for you. There is no question that asks if you are first gen. All you will do is truthfully answer the info about your mother and father’s college work. They will decide how they want to treat it. I don’t think you should plan on it making any difference for you. Sure some colleges have a stronger mission to admit first gen students, but it isn’t going to put you into a level of college you aren’t qualified for. So focus on your qualifications instead of loopholes and you will be in a stronger position either way.</p>
<p>^ Excellent response. I totally agree.</p>
<p>Strictly speaking, yes, you are a 1st generation college student (which, at the universities where it matters, means “neither parent has a 4-year degree”) but most universities don’t take that into account and some do to a greater extent than others (ie., UCs do, CSUs don’t; Hamilton does, whereas Colgate doesn’t consider it important or very important…)
This is a small detail, though.</p>
<p>It depends what type of degree your dad got from University of Phoenix. If he got an AA then you’re a first generation. If he got a bachelor’s your not.</p>