<p>I'm relatively confused between the two, LOL. I need a definitive term to be able to mention on my college essay. Anyhow, my parents were immigrants and I was born in their native country. I came here when I was roughly under 2 years old, so practically a baby.</p>
<p>On here, “first-gen” commonly refers to being the first person in your family to go to college. However, it can have varying degrees. You may still be considered “first-gen” in some cases if the highest degree they attained is an associate’s or they acquired their degree just recently.</p>
<p>You could also be considered the first-gen to grow up in America. But popcharlie has it right, usually it’s used for describing college attendance.</p>
<p>There are first generation college students, and there are first generation US students. Different colleges and universities can have different definitions for each of these categories.</p>
<p>USUALLY first gen. college means that neither parent attended any college/university anywhere. SOMETIMES it means that neither parent completed a full degree anywhere.</p>
<p>USUALLY first gen. US means the parents immigrated, and the child was born here. SOMETIMES it means that the child is an immigrant.</p>
<p>You really do have to ask.</p>
<p>Here’s an old thread on this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/421179-am-i-first-generation-american-second-generation-american.html?highlight=first+generation[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/421179-am-i-first-generation-american-second-generation-american.html?highlight=first+generation</a>
I think if you’re asking if you are a “first-generation American,” then in my opinion, the answer is no, because you weren’t “generated” in America. You are also an immigrant–if you are a US citizen, you still had to be naturalized.</p>