Hello everyone,
I’m starting to apply for internships that I plan to do over the Summer.
Although this does not involve college admissions I am hoping the forums of College Confidential is willing to help me!
Many internships I am applying to include “Women, minority, first generation college-bound, and low-income students are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.”
My issue is that I am unsure of whether or not I am first generation college student. My father did not go to college and only has high school education. My mother however, does have a bachelors degree.
This is my conflict. My mother passed away at age forty when I was six years old. In my defense, I feel that I should have that type of a “hook” (as bad as it sounds :/). I feel like the reason that first generation college students “is a thing” is because the parent(s) that attended college are considered more educated and can therefore “parent better”. I am not wording this exactly how I want to word it, but I hope you guys see my perspective. And by no means do I mean to offend anybody.
But because my mom passed away when I was so young, she never really influenced my life. My dad (with no college education) is the parent who has raised me my entire life. So technically since my dad raised me, do I count as first generation college student?
Thanks in advance!
Sorry your mother went to college, got her degree, and so your second-gen.
Near-same occurance for me with a few changes.
However, since its an internship, not sure anyone will check so nudge nudge lol
If it was college apps, yea not a good idea.
Its an internship, if you feel like its worth saying your first-gen, then say what you want. Keep in mind it might not really affect your college apps that much (if your doing it for the college apps in the first place)
@master1006
Thanks for the reply, master1006. I’m still not sure whether I should put a check in the box yet. And with the college thing, I agree with you. Perhaps I will include it in my essay? My story of overcoming our 70% income cut and the change in have lack of transportation etc.
I might do some additional research to check if colleges would accept me as first gen. There are also many scholarships for first gen. college students… Maybe it will not count because my mother went to college in Korea? 
haha just kidding.
I’m sorry to hear you lost your mom as a small child. Yes, I think you absolutely would be considered a first gen college student. There are many different definitions, but the one I follow is whether or not your parents went to a 4-year college full time. Even a parent who earned their degree over many years while you were growing up is still a different experience than going off to college to be a full time student, living in a dorm etc. The benefits of having a parent who went to college is that they can shepherd you through the process and your late mom is not there to do that for you. There is so much cultural capital that one gains from that experience. Even in the FAFSA requirements of listing your parents college education, if any, I don’t think it matters because I don’t think you include information about non-living parents/guardians in that section. Good luck to you in all your endeavors!
Er, I definitely think you wouldn’t be considered a first-gen student. There was a similar question here a few days ago. I’m sorry about your mom, but she had a bachelor’s degree; she graduated from college. You are, therefore, not a first-generation student (even if her degree was earned abroad). It really just seems like you’re trying to fabricate a ‘hook’ - just be honest.
If a college application asks for the level of education only for your living parent, it will appear that you are a first-gen. But I think in most cases it does ask for both. If you are applying for a scholarship specifically for first-gen (as the only criteria, or that being the only criteria you would fit), I don’t think you should apply/claim that you are.
And yeah, as a first-gen college student myself, it is kind of offensive to see this question repeated over and over again on these forums in attempts to just claim another hook, and the fact that you’re considering applying for scholarships meant to go to students with no background or history of education in their family is kind of insulting. This thread is almost exactly yours - http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17952907/#Comment_17952907
If your mom entered into college and had her bachelor degree then you are not considered as first generation college student.
You are not considered a first-gen student. Rules are rules.
Not being first gen does not discount all the difficult circumstances you had to overcome, and your essays and circumstances will be equally meaningful even if you aren’t first-gen. I am sorry that your mother passed away so early.
Even then, being a first gen and using that as a hook will not significantly increase your chances at college as you’re technically not “missing out” on anything.
really, this is from 6 months ago, no need to revive it. If it comes up again from the OP or some new person with a situation…
@BrownParent sorry about that. Just saw the one post from today.