Do colleges really take into consideration first-generation students?
Absolutely. The most selective schools now all love to brag about how many of their admitted class is first generation. I applaud the concept but sometimes wonder how it plays out. For example, the one kid from D’s HS that was admitted to Stanford was technically first generation, even though his family was one of the richest families in the school. This kid had been raised with every advantage money can by. But no one in his family had gotten a 4 year degree before, and I’m certain Stanford counted him in touting the fact that 16% of its class is first generation. http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/march/new-admits-finaid-032715.html By contrast you could have someone from an immigrant family who is much poorer and realistically much more disadvantaged, but doesn’t count as first generation because one of the parents or grandparents completed some type of college somewhere. Sorry for the rant but yes, first generation is a definite hook.
How much of a hook exactly? Do you know?
Some colleges do more than others. But yes, it is a institutional priority at top schools. Just because there are a few exceptions where it doesn’t find underserved ppl doesn’t mean it doesn’t mostly hit the target.
Most schools don’t consider first gen. Most highly competitive schools do as part of their holistic evaluation. It’s not a hook but a tip factor. Look up the Common Data Set, section C7 for your schools to see.
Where’s common dats set again?
Google this “XXX university common data set” and up will come the listings. You want to look at section C with info about incoming freshmen and applicant data. C7 lists the admissions criteria.
Honestly, it’s not much of a boost – don’t spend too much time sniffing out colleges that will grant this. A +0.1 GPA nudge is more important than first gen status.
Thanks