Hooks?

<p>I don't have a very traditional family:
-My father is in state prison until 2022.
-My mother is legally disabled.
-My father dropped out in middle school.
-My mother dropped out in high school.
-household income (my mother) ~$10,000
-My mother has three kids, all with different fathers.
-My father has three kids, all with different mothers.
I could go on for quite a while. . .</p>

<p>A friend of mine told me that first-generation anything is a major hook for applications.
I don't want to exploit my family, but will my background increase chances at a college/university?</p>

<p>First gen is a hook. Nothing else is.</p>

<p>It’s not a matter of exploiting your family. Doing well in those conditions is very impressive.</p>

<p>And this thread is very quickly going to degenerate into people arguing about what “hook” really means. Before that happens, while nobody will say “This guy is totally unqualified, BUT look at his family situation”, it will greatly increase your chances.</p>

<p>If you write about all those things… maybe.</p>

<p>First gen helps though…</p>