Am I first-generation?

Applying to College
1

<p>Would I be considered first generation or anything of the like?</p>

<p>My father has attended some college, but never a degree. </p>

<p>My mother attended some college after high school, but just got her associate's degree a few years ago. </p>

<p>My brother got his bachelor's 6 months ago (age 27). Oldest brother never attended. </p>

<p>My father is in the NY labor union, and my mother has been out of work on disability for about half my life. </p>

<p>Will this information help or hinder my application process, and would I be considered first-generation?</p>

2

<p>First, in most cases first gen is just a tip factor. Second, it will depend on the college. You will put the extent of your parents (and possibly siblings) education on the common application and the colleges will decide if you are a first gen college student. IMO you probably will be in most cases.</p>

3

<p>See post #5 here (or use the Search function, as this is asked frequently):</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1521983-first-gen-student-not-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1521983-first-gen-student-not-help.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Siblings don’t matter as they are the same gen as you; it’s first gen, not first person.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both.</p>

<p>If it makes a difference, I am considering NYU, Boston U, and possibly some Ivy Leagues</p>

5

<p>Most places consider first-generation students to be students whose parents do not have a four-year college degree. So you would still be considered first-generation, generally speaking.</p>

<p>However, for colleges that have specific scholarships they usually have guidelines outlining who they consider to be first-generation. I would say at the majority of them, your mother’s associate’s degree and your brother’s college won’t affect that at all. You’re still in the first generation to go to get a BA.</p>