<p>My primary question simplified:
How beneficial is the fact that you will be the first individual in your family to graduate from highschool?</p>
<p>I am hoping to apply to various top private and state colleges and was wondering how large of a role would the question stated above play if it matters at all ( unsure ).</p>
<p>Other factors to consider:</p>
<p>I am Chinese, and my family is very poor, most likely in the lowest income bracket. My parents were the first generation in my family to be able to move to the U.S. and I will be the 1st generation to be actually born in the U.S.</p>
<p>By the time I apply I will most likely have:
3.7 weighted GPA
11 APs ( nearly all 5s )
35 ACT
2320 SAT
Decent-to-strong ECs</p>
<p>Given that you will be a first-generation college student and a low-income, you may benefit from that at places that try to balance socioeconomic and educational diversity in their classes. You have very strong test scores and a strong GPA. At most top schools, you are not an underrepresented minority, but you will have that SES diversity there.</p>
<p>It’s impossible to tell, though, since each school weights it differently and most schools are not very forthcoming with how much it matters. But you should be quite successful in admissions. Just remember to apply to some schools that can guarantee you, or near-guarantee you, big MERIT aid.</p>
<p>Being first generation helps. However, most top universities/LACs are need-blind, so they will not really know that you are poor (unless of course you make it obvious by discussing it in your essay(s), or taking multiple part-time jobs, etc.). </p>
<p>You have an impressive academic record for your income bracket, and family background.</p>
<p>Thank you juillet and sat100 for your helpful comments!</p>
<p>Also to clarify, I am curious whether or not I will recieve “brownie points” from the Adcoms for having a good academic background (depends on the perspective) in regards to my difficult environment.</p>
<p>Also, when you said that many top colleges are “need-blind,” then do you think it is worth it to mention it in my essays?</p>
<p>Don’t really know the answer to that question. I was considered low-income too, since my parents made a little below average US wage. I personally didn’t think the officers would give me credit for it. If I had a part-time job, or two then I could see the low-income being beneficial, but I didn’t so I didn’t mention it.</p>