How much does being a first generation college student affect entry?

<p>Hi, I was just wondering if being a first generation college student would have a profound effect upon entrance or not? On Collegeboard, being a first generation college student is as considered as GPA and SAT, and I was hoping that being a first generation college student would take the edge off my 3.80 GPA. Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>I cannot honestly see why being a first year or not would in any way help or hurt your admissions. The only non-first years that have an advantage are those who have legacy ( UVA is their parents alma mater).</p>

<p>But that is my opinion.</p>

<p>Colleges look favorably upon this. UVA says it is very important (in line with course rigor and GPA).
[Common</a> Data Set: Institutional Assessment and Studies, University of Virginia](<a href=“http://www.web.virginia.edu/iaas/datacatalog/cds/admission.shtm]Common”>http://www.web.virginia.edu/iaas/datacatalog/cds/admission.shtm)</p>

<p>@bigshot3008, I think you may have misunderstood my question</p>

<p>@hazelorb, would you happen to have any examples on how much it helped? maybe some wonderstories such as someone getting in with a 3.7 gpa or something?</p>

<p>I’m a first gen kid with a bad gpa 3.8, and passable sat scores, 1480 and I was wondering if anyone got in with similar specs and first gen?</p>

<p>lol Sorry.</p>

<p>You can look at the thread from Accepted students 2015 that was created at the end of March ( that many not be 100% accurate).</p>

<p>Here are some stats:
[Notes</a> from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: Admission statistics for the Class of 2015](<a href=“http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2011/03/admission-statistics-for-class-of-2015.html]Notes”>Notes from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: Admission statistics for the Class of 2015)</p>

<p>GPA is a hard thing to measure because it can vary greatly form school to school. They do look at class rank percentile.</p>

<p>1480/1600 right?
The admissions blog said they care more about each section ( M + CR most likely ) than the total.</p>

<p>There is no cut-off GPA or SAT, so it is a good idea to apply. GPA and SAT are not all they look at.</p>

<p>But the best ways to find “wonder stories” would probably go through the admission results thread for 2015 I am sure at least a few people were accepted with similar stat to you.</p>

<p>Hope this helped!</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply, I took a look at the forums and had no real luck with kids who are first generation, I was just wondering if it would be a hook of some sort because my stats aren’t great. 3.8 GPA, 1480/2080 sat, tons of EC, and hardest courses possible at my school. 1. I’m pretty sure most kids who apply to UVA have much better credentials so I’m not gonna bother just asking for chances, 2. I’m trying not to turn this into a “Chances” thread :P</p>

<p>Well like you first said College Board lists it as important.</p>

<p>At this point there is nothing you can do if you are unhappy with your GPA. If you are unhappy with your SAT you can retake it.</p>

<p>Course rigor is extremely important, leadership in EC is important. Make sure you write killer essays and submit your application in on time.</p>

<p>As I said if two applicants had similar stats I cannot honestly see the admissions committee using 1st generation status as a tie breaker. But, again that is my personal opinion and I am in no way an admissions expert. </p>

<p>Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck!</p>

<p>@ Bigshot</p>

<p>Apart from those who applied as first generation, those who were African American, Hispanic, and Native American also received a statistical advantage. As well as legacy of course.</p>

<p>Sorry I can’t find any more data on it. But just be positive (that you can get in) and realistic (that you have backups… rolling schools are the best for this).</p>

<p>Thanks UVAorBUST for the info, and would you happen to know said source of information? While I can’t do anything really to change my resume at this point, it would be nice to know whether to worry more or less in this situation :P. @Hazelorb, at this point I can’t retake SAT’s because I need to take subject tests. At this point its all about hoping for the best.</p>

<p>braves, UVA, as well as the vast majority of other schools, do not release information specific to one area (such as first generation students). However, it should definitely help. I didn’t see whether or not you said you’re IS, but that is a HUGE factor.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply, and yes, I am a first generation college student. I’m banking on that helping me get in because I shot myself in the foot with my gpa by screwing around too much freshman year and getting a 3.4 for that year. I can only really hope at this point.</p>