<p>How do colleges view this? It seems counterintuitive since first generation students usually have, on average, a lower income than other students. Thanks for your help. High income as in $200,000+</p>
<p>I would imagine that colleges simply looking for statistics in diversity would still factor in first generation in their admissions decision. But if it were me, I would not care whatsoever. All being first generation in your case shows is that your parents succeeded despite difficult odds. You probably had every advantage (no offense, I’m pretty much in the same boat).</p>
<p>bumpp…</p>
<p>I think the point of giving first generation students a boost is to give them the chance to move up the social ladder–a chance they may not otherwise have. That’s just not present in your case.</p>
<p>If your parents are making >$200k and aren’t the king and queen of some African country, they should probably write a book.</p>
<p>It’s lucky for you that they don’t ask you to list income on the application!</p>
<p>For colleges, first generation counts toward a percentage just like race does. They want to say we have this many first generation students and this many African American students. They may or may not care - only the elite colleges really care. The most beneficial part of this is that you are full pay (even if you don’t think you can be, and only at need-aware schools or during need-aware processes like some ED and the waitlist). First generation is most powerful when it is combined with low-income/URM. Alone, especially when paired with an upper or upper-middle income, it doesn’t mean much.</p>
<p>So…</p>
<p>I’m a first-generation college student, but my parents own a business and make $100,000+ before taxes on average, but it fluctuates…a lot of the times under $100,000. </p>
<p>Does that mean my first-generation status is pretty much…worthless?</p>
<p>I mean you have to consider that while my friends’ parents are all professors/engineers, they help their kids with homework a lot and essays and the whole college process, but I’m kinda on my own. Shouldn’t count for something?</p>
<p>Most schools don’t care if you are first generation. For the top schools, it is a negligible tip at best - even for low-income/first generation students. I mean, you have to consider while you may not have had homework help, you were probably not working 40 hours a week to pay your family’s bills (and thankfully, neither was I). So should it count for something? Maybe. Does it? Not really.</p>
<p>I believe that most schools DO care that you are first generation, as they like to report that figure. It may only give you a slight edge. OTOH, having the money to be a full pay student can be a slight edge, too. Can your parents afford the tuitions or will you apply for financial aid?</p>
<p>I seriously doubt that any schools not in the top, say, 100 care if you are first generation. On the other hand, they WILL care that you are full pay.</p>
<p>If you’re applying to UC’s, first gen (i.e. both parents not graduated from college) matters in the eval, definitley for in-state. Not sure if this is considered for OOS.</p>
<p>So what you guys are saying is that being 1st Gen. College Student at a top 25 college will really not do you any good?</p>
<p>And no, there is no way we can afford $50,000+ for me to go to college…
I will be applying for need-based aid and outside scholarships.</p>
<p>I just want proof that 1st Gen. won’t help you…even though they ask for it. I know its nothing like being hispanic or a URM…but it should help you. In a way, many 1st Gen. students do work harder I think, just because our parents are unable to provide us with school/college help and such.</p>
<p>It does help, it’s just minimal - and it only really matters if its paired with something else. What does it matter if your parents didn’t go to college if they are at the same income level of those who did - could you ask for money for a tutor or SAT test prep, or whatever else comes with having parents who went to college (I can’t think of many things because the process was so different when my mom was my age, if she had gone to college I don’t think it would be much help)?</p>
<p>Here’s an interesting article about colleges that care about first generation college students:</p>
<p>[News:</a> Unexpected First Generation Path - Inside Higher Ed](<a href=“http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/07/24/firstgen]News:”>http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/07/24/firstgen)</p>
<p>what about for the top schools</p>
<p>Being a first generation college student will help in some colleges especially state schools like the UC system, being first generation will help with some scholarships, especially if there is a financial need. </p>
<p>At the top colleges, it will be what you make it out to be. The fact that you are a first generation student in itself may have a small possibly negligible effect. On the other hand, if you can describe the challenges of being a first generation student or how your parents have been successful in spite of the lack of education and how this has motivated you etc., it could have a tremendous impact. Also, being a first generation is not a hook, so if you do not have good grades, scores, EC’s, top colleges are not going to consider it. If you have all of these and can show how this shaped you, you will be very competitive at top institutions. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>^^^completely agree^^^</p>