First Generation Question on CommonApp

Applying to College
1

Hi everyone!

I’m filling out the CommonApp family section, but I’m not sure how to phrase it correctly in terms of my parent’s education. My mom basically dropped out of a small cinema school in Buenos Aires that shut down 2 years ago, and my dad completed a 3-year degree also at a small cinema school in Buenos Aires. Neither of the schools show up in the college search. (Though, to be fair, not a single Argentinian university does)

For my mom, I put “Some trade school/community college” with no degree. However, for my dad I put “Completed trade school/community college” with a degree type of “Other” (since it’s neither an AA nor a BA). Would this make some schools classify me as not first-gen? Would this be inaccurate? Is it more reasonable to set it as an AA?

Thanks.

2

A quick google search turned up that the definition " a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree ."

Given that neither of your parents completed a 4 year bachelor program you would be a first gen student.

3

Yes, but I can’t put a full explanation on CommonApp. Does a degree type of “Other” get the point across, even if the education level is set as “Completed trade school/community college”?

4

If he completed trade school/community college it still leaves you as a first gen student. Not sure why you would feel further explanation is necessary.

List it as you’re saying trade school/CC, Other.

5

I would answer the questions asked and it sounds like you did so.

I would not force an answer that isn’t true.

Each school evaluates first gen differently.

You could always write a brief description in the additional info if it makes you feel better describing what you stated above.

6

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