First generation and race?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have a few questions:</p>

<p>1.) What defines first generation? Does it mean neither of your parents have any degree from a college, or something like they can't have attended college at all (ie. going and dropping out still counts), or it has to be in the US or can be international, etc?</p>

<p>2.) Is there any benefit to being first gen/what is it (if there is)?</p>

<p>3.) And regarding race/ethnicity, how does that affect admissions. I understand some universities care, some don't, but those that do take it into account, what does it mean to them? I mean, do you have a better/worse shot at acceptance being a certain race? I ask because I'm native of Bangladesh (in Asia, borders India), but I really dislike self-identifying as a particular race. Not because I'm ashamed or anything, I'm proud to be Bengali, it's just that don't think it should matter. Whether it be for admissions or simply for records, I don't think race should matter beyond your own self-pride if at that (since that's more heritage than anything). But I don't care so much that I'd throw away a boost to my application if it would actually help me. So simply put, does it matter? I suppose this is me saying I'm willing to be a hypocrite if it helps me enough, but not if it will only make a slight difference.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>I'm wondering the same thing. If one parent didn't go to college does that still count as first gen?</p>

3

<p>See </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/651345-race-college-admissions-faq-discussion-3-a.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/651345-race-college-admissions-faq-discussion-3-a.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>for the second part of your question.</p>

4

<p>No, neither parent can have attended college.</p>

<p>First generation is a tip factor at some colleges. It s more of a tip if you are also low income, a minority or from and under performing school.</p>

<p>If your parents did not go to college but did well anyway and you live in a suburb with a good school, don't expect much of a tip.</p>

<p>Being Asian is an over represented minority at some colleges (top ones) and an under represented minority at others (those with a low percentage of Asians.</p>

5

<p>Well specific to my situation, my parents attended a university in another country which wouldn't make me first generation, right?</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
my parents attended a university in another country which wouldn't make me first generation, right?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, you are not a first-generation college student if an ancestor in a previous generation attended college.</p>

7

<p>My cousin is an x-ray tech and went to a trade school. Is he considered to be college educated? Would his son be considered a first generation college student?</p>