Alrighty, so my dad did get a Master’s in 'Murica and my mum Mastered in Pakistan, so, just to clarify, I am NOT the first in my family to go to college.
I was wondering if first generation Americans are given any special attention? Like, leniency?
This is purely out of my curiosity; I wouldn’t mention it on an app – I really want to get in to a good school on my own merit (glaring at you, application padders! -_-).
Thanks very much! (And don’t get hurricaned okay? Yep)
Unless the famlily circumstances are particularly difficult I wold not expect being first generation would be a huge advantage.
@happy1 My own experiences have been the opposite, and in fact, being a first generation college attendee, is legitimate hook. In a competive environment, it does provide a little latitude. See also:http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/tips-for-first-generation-college-applicants/
It’s generally a hook, but you still have to meet their academic and other expectations. “Leniency” is an odd word choice.
Of course you wouldn’t mention it on an app. Right? Your parents have degrees, you are not first gen.
@boolaHI - The article you referred and the experience you referenced to are both of being a first generation college attendee. That can be a hook. However, the OP is not referring to that situation. The OP’s parent’s both earned Master’s degrees outside of the US so he/she will not be the first in the family to attend college. The “first generation” referred to by the OP is being a member of first generation to be born in the US, which is an entirely different situation.
Actually, in the 2nd paragraph, the OP frames the question specifically toward first generation Americans.
Dunno why OP didn’t simply just state “First Gen Immigrant” in the thread’s title.
^^OP is asking for general knowledge. She was quite specific that she is not first generation.
I’ve noticed in the Common Data Sets that each school assigns a different level of importance to first generation. Some show it as “Very Important” while many only say that it is “Considered.”
No, OP is not asking about first gen COLLEGE students. OP is asking about first gen IMMIGRANT students.
As stated above the first gen status used in the Common Data Set relates to first gen in college. There is no official data capture of admission info on first gen immigrant. IMO some colleges may add that context to the evaluation of your transcript and others will not. So not a hook, possibly an item of interest to help in evaluating your record. No way to know which colleges will consider that.