Do I qualify as first-generation?

Applying to College
1

<p>My biological parents never went to college, and never got married. When I was about 4 or 5, my dad left my family. My mom remarried my stepdad (college degree) when I was around seven, but he has no legal custody over me. </p>

<p>Do I qualify as first-generation?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Probably not. At least, I wouldn’t classify you that way, because you grew up in a household where one of the adults did go to college. But don’t worry about it for a single second.</p>

<p>For one thing, many colleges do not care whether an applicant is “first generation.”</p>

<p>Among those that do give some admissions preference to applicants who are the first generation of their family to go to college, they all determine on their own just what “first generation” means.</p>

<p>It’s not as if there’s a box on the Common App that says, “Check this box if you’re ‘first generation.’” What happens is that the Common App asks you for all kinds of biographical information about your parents: name, address and occupation; living with you or living apart from you or dead; highest level of education completed, and name of college (if any) and name of graduate or professional schools (if any). Colleges receive this information, and then they make of it whatever they choose to make of it.</p>

<p>So fill out the Common App. Apply to a variety of target and safety schools, and reach schools if you choose to reach. Don’t depend on any admissions advantage based on your parents’ education, and then just be pleasantly surprised if one of your reaches comes through for you. At least, that’s my advice.</p>

3

<p>Who raised you/household?</p>

<p>While your mom may not have a degree…the man who helped raise you did.
I think it’s a fine line…</p>

4

<p>Alright thanks. My reaches are the ivies, and if I’m accepted to any, I know it’ll be by a hair. Hopefully my background gives me a benefit - maybe not though.</p>

5

<p>fogfog - my stepdad drives a truck and is rarely home. My mom raised me on his income, in his home. I wouldn’t expect colleges to differentiate between this though.</p>