<p>My oldest had a 3.5 gpa and a 26 on his ACT, but not much discussion is necessary when he is only applying to one college where he is auto-admit. I forced him to apply to a second in-state college just in case the Earth opened up and swallowed #1, but it was a wasted $50.</p>
<p>My D, a senior this year, is a little more academic with a 33 ACT so required a little more research and applied more broadly, though there is a high likelihood she will attend the same school as her older brother. In her case, the auto-admit comes with auto-merit money.</p>
<p>EDIT TO ADD: First-gen usually refers to a kid whose parents never enrolled in any college classes (first to attend, not first to graduate).</p>