<p>I'm a first generation American, and both of my parents never graduated college. Is this going to help me in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Depends on where you apply. Some (very few) colleges may grant a slight preference to 1st gen students. However, that “nod” is not the equivalent of the traditional “hooks” (athlete recruit, legacy, development, celebrity, faculty kid, URM)</p>
<p>@T26E4: I’m not certain that you’re universally correct. I’d suggest that “first generation American and college graduate” – especially if utilized compellingly in essays and recommendations – might well be a more substantial “hook” at several “elite” national research universities and equally selective LACs than, for example, a legacy whose alumni parent has been virtually disinterested (time, talent, and treasury) in his alma mater since graduation.</p>
<p>This is only one individual’s opinion, but most “legacies” don’t provide substantial “hooks;” although – obviously – the FEW whose parent has deeply and meaningfully participated in the university’s advancement for decades (alumni leadership, institutional governance, academic and recruiting assistance, significant and continuous donations, volunteer service, fund raising, and so forth) will very likely have a much greater “hook” advantage. </p>
<p>Although you might get some help, I think the 1st generation thing is really directed at kids who are multi-generational American and no one has ever gone to college - kids from generations of coal miners in Appalachia or farmers in the Ozarks where families have experienced generations of poverty. Since it’s holistic, they can apply it any way they want - there’s no set formula.</p>
<p>TopTier: when I used the term “most”, I mean in the context of all US colleges (and most colleges don’t read essays too).</p>
<p>Certainly, a person who achieves from a background as a first gen student may catch readers’ attention. Top schools have the luxury of grabbing a few of these when they appear. Note the very successful Questbridge route (I’m 100% a fan of this pgm). But even then, these so-called “top” schools aren’t awe-inspiring in recruiting lower income students: <a href=“Top Colleges That Enroll Rich, Middle Class and Poor - The New York Times”>Top Colleges That Enroll Rich, Middle Class and Poor - The New York Times;
<p>My alma mater has stated categorically that each legacy applicant who doesn’t advance through the first round of reads, will get an additional read from a senior admissions person – just in case. I doubt schools extend this courtesy to each 1st gen applicant. But I agree with you that in the list I proffered up (athlete recruit, legacy, development, celebrity, faculty kid, URM) , legacy likely has the least pull. But I also think that the awe-inspiring 1st gen applicants are quickly recognized and snatched up – but the avg high performing 1st gen kids don’t get much boost. Again, this is only my opinion – and when we’re talking about admit rates in the single digits, inferring broad trends may be impossible.</p>
<p>It’s not a major part of any part of my app, I’m going to try to subtly bring it up in my supplemental essays possibly. The only part that will 100% be clear is the fact that My parents didn’t graduate college, as the common app literally asks this. </p>
<p>@TE26E4: I understand the differences suggested by “all” U. S. colleges (near 3,000 currently, I’ve recently read). However, it seems to me that most of that LARGE group is essentially admissions non-competitive; they accept almost everyone (and that’s good, students can receive worthwhile educations that will reasonably enhance their futures). Therefore “hooks” are irrelevant for many/most – you pick the number – of those approximately 3,000 colleges and universities. Whereas, at the other end of the collegiate spectrum (as we know), institutions deny 85+ percent of candidates, including so many that have excellent qualifications, are entirely deserving, would thrive at the school, and would forever be a credit to the institution. Of course, that is the subset where “hooks” are germane, sometimes decisively so. </p>