Are there advantages for first generation college students?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Does being a first generation college student have a significant effect on admissions decisions?</p>

<p>I'm applying for Columbia RD, and my SATs are definitely not what they should be for Columbia (2040/2400 - CR 650, M 640, W 750), but I'm top 1% in my school (number 5 out of approximately 1,000 kids). Will being first generation help my admissions decision?</p>

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<p>I am a first generation student with a 2160 SAT equivalent (I took the ACT) and I was deferred. But we’ll see how that works out for me. Summarily, I would say it is definitely an advantage, considering only 17% of the class of 2013 was first generation. So that puts you in the minority, which as far as college admissions is concerned, is a good place to be. :slight_smile: Best of luck to you!</p>

1 Like
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<p>Thank you! :)</p>

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<p>I’m sure being first-generation played a part in my acceptance :)</p>

<p>Though I did have the stats (2280, top 3%, etc.). But there are many more qualified than me.</p>

<p>I think being first-gen allows you to be put in a different light. EC’s you accomplish can be much more impressive if first-gen.</p>

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<p>Hey NWdivisionCHAMPS, would you mind posting your stats or giving me a link where your stats are already posted? I just want to see where I stand compared to you. Thanks! :slight_smile:
And congrats on your acceptance!!! :D</p>

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<p>Objective:</p>

<pre><code>* SAT I (breakdown): 2280 SUPERSCORED (690 CR, 800 M, 790 WR)

  • ACT: 33
  • SAT II: 800 math 2c, 770 chemistry, 720 biology-m
  • Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
  • Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 15/506 (top 3%)
  • AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 in stats
  • IB (place score in parenthesis): 5 in chem, 5 in spanish
  • Senior Year Course Load: Full-IB course and AP Calculus BC
  • Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Lots of Math Nationals awards!!
    </code></pre>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<pre><code>* Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Math team president that placed 4th in the nation! National honor society president, couple vice-president jobs, community service, basketball coach

  • Job/Work Experience: 20 hours a week during summer + a little during school year
  • Volunteer/Community service: basketball coach, camp counselor, environmental activism
  • Summer Activities: Math Mu Alpha Theta Nationals, Job, etc.
  • Essays: TERRIBLE! At least in my opinion. I wrote about how a television show managed to change my perception on life. I felt this would be the cause of my rejection.
  • Teacher Recommendation: Fantastic. Had an 850 word fabulous rec from my math coach. Junior Year English teacher wrote me a great one as well.
  • Counselor Rec: Pretty dang good. I read it quite a while after and it was a lot better than I expected
  • Additional Rec: N/A
  • Interview: Went awesome! She emailed me after saying good job =]
    </code></pre>

<p>Other</p>

<pre><code>* Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, but got barely any

  • Intended Major: Applied math!!!
  • State (if domestic applicant): Washington
  • School Type: Average public IB School
  • Ethnicity: ASIAN!
  • Gender: Male
  • Income Bracket: around 100k
  • Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): 1st generation college student
    </code></pre>

<p>Reflection</p>

<pre><code>* Strengths: Hmm… nothing about me really stood out. Good SAT? 2280 superscored. Solid GPA and rank at top 3%. Presented myself as having an insane passion in math, which I guess was bad cause it was stereotypical asian but good because I want to be a math major. I think me being from WA and a 1st generation college student was helpful. That and I had God on my side

  • Weaknesses: Oh lord, my essay was horrendous. I cannot believe they accepted me despite it, really. Umm I also had 2 typos on my application
  • Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I DON’t KNOW!!! I LOVE GOD!! Haha, this was a happy moment
  • Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Applied UW honors, UCLA, Berkeley, gonna have to retract all those.
    </code></pre>

<p>General Comments: This was unexpected, and I’m sure there were so many more qualified people than me. But believe me this is not the end and I’m sure you will get in somewhere great!!! Hopefully everyone who got deferred gets in. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I am a first generation Asian(Indian) male, as well. I come from a family with a low income. How am I looking for Columbia RD admission?
SAT: 2070
ACT: 33 (this is what they will consider primarily)
Rank: valedictorian out of 400 kids.
GPA: 97%
EC: school clubs, lots of research, founded a reading and writing workshop for autistic children, lots of tutoring, independent research and research with doctor.
Awards: Rensellear Medal Award, AP Scholar w/ distinction, NYS Scholarship of Excellence, High Honor Roll.
Chances for first gen student?
Apologizes to Cloudyafternoons, not trying to hijack thread!:)</p>

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<p>i’m a first generation hispanic… i was deferred :(</p>

<p>here are my stats from the decision thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063724544-post195.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063724544-post195.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Lola995, looking good! Hopefully you get awesome teacher recs and write a great essay because those two are crucial! Good luck.</p>

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<p>Haha, don’t worry lola995! Good luck for Columbia RD! :D</p>