First Generation to College

Applying to College
1

Okay, what exactly is a ‘first generation student’? I understand that if your siblings went to college, then you’re still eligible for the “benefits” of this label. But what exactly even are the benefits?

My mom doesn’t have a high school diploma, and my dad only attended college for about a year, and didn’t get any kind of diploma/degree. From what I understand, the principal idea behind this label is that the student had to overcome the adversity of growing up in a household without higher education, which I would say does apply to me. I did have to endure quite a bit of the hardships that accompany having parents that seem to not really care about college education and don’t know about the process of applying themselves. Would I be eligible to apply as a ‘first gen’ student? Is this even a big deal? Thanks.

2

I think you qualify. I don’t know how much of a hook it is but I’ve encountered special info for 1st gens on a couple of college’s admissions sites. Some schools give special scholarships to 1st gens. This page at VA Tech explains 1st generation and gives a good timeline of what you need to do during the application process:

http://www.admiss.vt.edu/first-generation-students/

and a video:

http://cnre.vt.edu/media/video/2014/cnre-diversity-and-inclusion-2014.html

Google “First generation -school name-” and see if there are special pages for the schools you are considering.

If you have colleges you are considering, look at each school’s “Common Data Set.” You find it by googling, for instance, “VA Tech Common Data Set.” There will be a list of what they consider for entry ( ex. 1st gen, interview, race, essay…) and what they don’t consider. (I haven’t looked lately but I don’t think that particular school considers interviews or essays).

Common Data Set will also give you a clue about which classes they expect you have taken and what the GPA and SAT spread is among admitted students.

Be sure and do the cost of attendance calculators for schools you’d like to attend and have at least one you can afford without borrowing too much. You can only borrow $5500 freshman year without parents as cosigners. Have the conversation NOW (well not at 2 a.m.) with your parents to see what they can contribute. Even if they think they can’t give you anything they can probably give you what they spend on food and clothing. Good luck!

3

By the end of my senior year I’ll have completed around 12 AP’s and 3 classes at an actual campus during a school year (I ran out of math classes to take at school :(( ). I have a 35 ACT (retaking in June) and won a national award for language study, although my GPA is a bit lacking at 3.85 unw and 4.3 weighted. I have almost no idea what schools I would fit into though, but I’m looking to build my resume during the summer with an internship. I guess I would say I’m looking at the ‘most selective’ range.

I noticed that the definition appears to change between schools… Harvard, for example would consider me a first generation student. How much does this actually help with my application though? I understand that grades come first and foremost in the decision, but I think a few nice credentials like this could add up!

Thanks for your info! :slight_smile:

4

Someone with a 4.0 and a 2400 on the SAT has less than 5% chance of getting into Harvard. You need to identify schools you have a real chance of getting into. First generation is not that unique. CDS would show that most east coast schools accept more people from the SAT’s not the ACT. I would take both.

Here’s CDS links to the ivys.

http://www.princeton.edu/provost/institutional-research/common-data-set/

5

@OspreyCV22

Yes, I realize that the chances are very slim. As far as top colleges go though, only the very most select would be able to meet my financial need as I see it. I have taken the SAT which I earned a 2250 on. I will be retaking it in the fall. I have an 800 on SAT Physics and SAT Math 2.

I would like to think I have a rather interesting background, although its rather tough to convey in one CC post, but would probably need its own essay. These small things I believe can add up when it comes to holistic admissions; simply not trying for these best of the best schools isn’t something that I would see as a good idea. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Either way, thanks for the info you gave about first-gen to college. I didn’t know that it was a credential I had until very recently, and for most of my life I’ve been competing and comparing myself to people without it. I feel a little better about my apps next year! :slight_smile:

EDIT: I also never new about this ‘common data set,’ so thanks for sharing this tool with me. :slight_smile:

6

I couldn’t open some of the ivy links right now due to not having updated adobe lately. MIT opened and they do take ACT in your range. They consider 1st gen as much as work experience and volunteer experience.

You are a new poster. You need to stalk this forum going back a few years and read the sob stories of all the high performing students who get in top schools but can’t afford them If you need financial aid you need to identify the schools that give it. I do know Harvard will “meet need” but some ivies don’t. Again that is shown on the CDS.

There are a bunch of schools that will give you free tuition for your ACT score but they aren’t ivy. It’s a trade off if you need money.

I found out about the CDS from this forum. Love it.

7

There are plenty of less-selective, non-super elite schools that are able to not only meet need but also offer generous merit scholarships–which the top schools often do not. If you have an interesting story + strong stats, you’re actually better off applying to some “lower tier” (but still top 100!) schools that are known for merit aid/being generous. Don’t waste too much application money on the super elites (ie: don’t apply to 10-15 super elites and nothing else)–try for the ones you feel are the best match to your personality/are known to meet full need, but then round out your schools with a lot of generous match/safety schools. It’s schools who are generous with merit aid + financial aid who are most likely to offer you a competitive package, especially if you sell them on your more storied upbringing. Good luck!

8

My backup school is Ohio State University. It’s close to home and will be the cheapest compared to anything else. Although I would be a tad disappointed to have to settle, I have already recognized it as a school I will definitely be applying to.

9

Why are you retaking a 35 ACT? is there some issue with the sub scores? At 35 (or with a 2250,) instead look at your scores relevant to the possible major- eg, for STEM, your M or the math-sci numbers.

And don’t just consider OSU as settling. There are many examples where the state school is amazing for that kid, with these strengths and interests. You need to look at the courses, programs, and other opportunities to really evaluate colleges. And, the professor backgrounds, interests, and continued research activity.

First gen depends on how a particular college defines it. Some say parents/no college and others say parents/no completion. And some will flex a bit, if you are a super great candidate.

For the competitives, “super candidate” is much more than your stats. The holistic schools want to see the right sorts and variety of engagement, responsibilities and impact. That, in turn, says a lot about your vision, energy, follow through, and more. How your 3.85 impacts depends on which classes you got less than A in.

This isn’t so much about your family backstory, hardships. It’s more about what you personally have taken on and accomplished, despite. All the pieces need to be there. Dig into the college websites, find their “what we look for” (and the students they use as brag examples,) see if you match those qualities. This is much more than matching your stats.

You also want to run the NPC (Net Price Calculator) for schools, to get an idea of your cost and what finaid they may offer. And do consider colleges that offer merit aid. Best wishes.

10

Apply to Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. It is outstanding for all the sciences as well as engineering. Remains something of a hidden gem, and gives excellent financial aid.

11

@NROTCgrad the thing is, I don’t think I want to stay close to home! I feel like I’d much rather explore a new environment far from my parents during college.

12

Dont take the ACT again. Don’t be a grade grubber. No one likes grade grubber a or test drones and taking it again would only work against you. Elite colleges want student who want more than just numbers (i.e. Stanford’s short answer response asking about “intellectual vitality”)

13

@CaliCash I did better than I thought I would on my first try and had already signed up for the next one before even getting my first score back. I don’t see why I shouldn’t take it again if I already paid?

14

No refund? Maybe you can open up a spot for another tester?

15

@CaliCash No… And I’m not planning on spending extensive time trying to get a great ACT score. I’m just gonna take it again, and if something magical happens, then I guess it does! :slight_smile:

16

Also, I made a rudimentary “What Are My Chances” thread mostly about my hooks. Input appreciated! :smiley:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1774608-college-hooks-essays.html#latest

17

You would fall under the definition of a First Generation student. You would have to look at each college’s individual Common Data Set to see if the school even cares about that status. They may consider it or they may just brush it off like it’s nothing.

Ohio State and CWRU – especially for a STEM student – are nothing to sniff at. I know a lot of kids like to go far because they want that experience of being away and becoming independent. However, just realize that a lot of the time, it is more financially feasible and academically advantageous to stay closer to home.

Your ACT/SAT and SAT subject tests are phenomenal. What would you like to do/major in?

18

@TheDidactic I’m looking for a STEM major of some sort. I have been leaning towards medical. :slight_smile:

19

Add URM and it becomes 100%.

20

Re: an above comment, all the Ivies “meet full need,” based on their own formulas. You can also Google for a list of other schools which do.

For the Ivies and Stanford, plus the highly competitive others, first and foremost, you have to understand what they look for. That is not, say, the CDS, which says whether your GPA or LoRs are “Very Important” (of course they are.)

This is about the personal attributes they look for, what makes them know you will take on challenges, contribute to a vibrant campus community, have impact on others, get along. What makes a kid stand out is the quality of their choices and thinking, through the high school years, how they chose to commit their energies and that they made a difference- some of this at their schools, some in their communities, and also in pursuing their own goals. It’s also how you present yourself in the app. How will you show that by writing about your parents lack of degree or a medical challenge or telling them your extended family is provincial? Think about it.

In the chance thread, you still don’t note what your activities actually are. If you want STEM, have you done math-sci and academic things? If you want a medical future, what have you done for others? You said you may get an internship- can be good- but what? The language win adds a nice note

Btw, colleges won’t diss you for taking the ACT a second time. Depending on your sub scores, you may want to try to improve a category, sure. But the 35 is good. In general, it can be good to show persistence. The problem we cite on CC is overdoing it- the proverbial kid who thinks only a 2400 is magic and goes after it multiple times. That can be a thinking and judgment problem.

No, URM is not 100%.