How to define first generation?

<p>Hi everyone! First off, please let me know if I should move this discussion to another board.</p>

<p>My question, as the title of my post explains, is about how to define a first generation college student. For example, my four of my five grandparents and step-grandparents attended and graduated from college. My parents, however, are a different story. My father dropped out midway through 9th grade (so he only has a middle school diploma) and my mom tested out of high school in tenth grade (a test similar to the current GED) and after, took one class at Los Angeles City College, the local community college, and, having only taken one class, obviously never got a diploma. I know that the Common App only reports the educational information of my parents (middle school and high school diploma equivalent), so does this mean colleges will view me as a first generation college student? Or does it depend on the college (i.e. will some contact me for more information)?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>Yes, you are first generation </p>

<p>To my recollection, the Common App doesn’t ask if you are first generation college; they ask about your parents’ education levels (from which they can then make their own assumptions). They don’t ask about the education levels of your grandparents.</p>

<p>I have a similar question. Did the colleges I applied to see me as a first generation? My mom never went to college, but my dad did get a 2 year degree. Is it first generation if neither of your parents got a 4 year degree? or since my dad did get an associates degree does that mean I’m not considered first gen.?</p>

<p>Mom2b2b is correct, for college admissions (this doesn’t always hold true for scholarships), colleges just ask for the education levels of your parents. The reason they do this is because different colleges use different definitions of who they consider first gen (eg. parents never attended college, parents don’t have a 4 yr degree, etc.).</p>

<p>BTW, this is a FAQ, so use of the Search function for ‘first gen’ will likely give many past threads.</p>

<p>Thank you all :)</p>