<p>Personally I did not think this mattered until I saw some people posting on a 'chance me' thread that it gives you a boost.
Me, my siblings and mother are the first ones in my ancestrial family to be born in america.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. For some it could make a difference, usually in the predominantly white private schools, for others it will not.</p>
<p>First gen in college admissions refers to being the ‘first generation in your family to attend college’, not to being the first generation in the US. And attending college means anywhere, in or out of the US.</p>
<p>Exactly. I’m a first generation American myself and it’s unlikely to give you a boost unless there’s a directly related experience that helps make your essay unique (unless your ethnicity is part of a very small group in the US). The first person in your family that is going to college - that’s a decent nudge if you’re borderline and can also help with financial aid.</p>