First generation students

[Argentina2017]

Hi!

I am form Argentina, and nobody from my family has ever studied in an american university. So my question is, would I be considered as a first generation student? Or is that just for US citizens?

Thanks!

[gibby]

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/741641-what-does-first-generation-college-student-mean-p1.html

Different colleges/programs use different definitions of first gen. Some consider you first gen if neither of your parents ever attended college, others consider you first gen if neither of your parents earned a college degree. None of them consider siblings, only parents.

First gen can sometimes be a tip factor for college admissions.

For college admissions, they don’t actually ask directly, rather they ask for each parent: college attended (if any), degree earned and what year. From that information, THEY determine if you fit into their definition of first gen.

That said, I believe “First generation” is a college admissions term that refers to US Citizens who are the first in their family to attend college. Like URM status, it’s meant to increase diversity among US Citizens, so the term does not apply to international students. If you are from Argentina, you are applying to college as an international applicant: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/international-applicants

[T26E4]

You seem to be misu derstanding why any US college would want to know “1st gen” status. It is not about any of your parents having attended a US college – think about it. 98% of humans on this planet probably not had a parent with a US degree. It’s whether you grew up in a household with education – any college, including Argentina. If so, you are NOT 1st gen

[Argentina2017]

Thanks