I am just examining the entirety of this website, and I am very rare here. I am a first generation college student, I come from a white middle class family, and I suck at sports. I am not an athlete or a legacy, and sure I have above a 4.0 GPA and OK extracurricular activities but my parents never had the time or money to stick me in extensive programs or SAT prep classes. Is there even any point of hoping to get into a selective undergrad school?
First-generation college student is a great hook especially for the most selective colleges!
It doesn’t hurt to try. A lot of public elite universities, like UVA and UMich don’t put as much emphasis on hooks.
@goldenbear2020 Really? I feel as if all this students on this website have their parents really out there campaigning for them and doing all this STUFF. And paying for so much, and my parents just don’t know about all that. I’ve done this all myself, and this site can be so intimidating and upsetting.
@gearsstudio Thanks.
Check out the directory of colleges here. Most of their profiles include their percentage of first-generation college students. If it’s higher than about 8-10%, that means they give those applicants admissions preference. Most top schools are in the 15-20% range. First-generation is a stronger hook at the most selective colleges because of the relatively small pool with high test scores, etc.
@goldenbear2020 Wow! Thank you.
A bunch of super -achievers, or at least kids who say so.
There are sane areas of the site. Financial aid, the parents forum, sometimes college admissions, search and selection. Hang out and you may find some help.
And yes, first generation helps at some top colleges.
@OHMomof2 I agree. Sometimes it is very hard to be the low man of the totem pole. A lot of parents also really push their kids and sign them up for a ton of SAT/ACT classes, and private tutoring and all that. My parents, and a lot of parents in the area don’t know much about that and really just want their kids to be successful, no matter if it is at a State college or not. Thanks, I think I’ll probably start hanging out in different sections.
I really don’t believe there’s anything an SAT/ACT class can teach that you can’t teach yourself. There are resources on the internet and in books you can get from the library…the “tricks”, things to look for, strategies to get through the sections faster/better, and practice tests. My kids had no prep classes or tutoring, but I did get those things for them, print them out or grab them from the library, and work with them. If your parents are willing to help, great, but if not, you can do these things yourself.
There are also free summer programs, or nearly free, and of course working most any kind of summer job is a great EC. If you want to post your concerns or what you are hoping for we may be able to help.
@OHMomof2 Thank you. But, I’m basically already past that point. I am waiting to hear from a final admissions decision this week and then I’ll be deciding where I’m going. I am just disappointed and wish that I had been more aware of the selectivity of colleges and the importance of EX and hooks and all of that. I just wish I could have done more, that’s all.
Ah gotcha. Well good luck with the schools you’ve applied to!
My unhooked D2 got into everyplace she applied, including UChicago & Swarthmore. She self-prepped for all her standardized tests, too. It certainly can be done.
My D self-prepped for most of the SAT. She did very well. It takes discipline. It does also help if the student has through knowledge of a subject. She had some tutoring for the math section because she was behind, and it was very helpful. It carried through to her math class and made things easier, so it was worth it. I think a good study guide is critical for standardized tests.
@lindagaf @intparent I think it is understood that it can be done, but it is very hard when you are unaware of how impactful the score is. It is also helpful to receive help when you are behind, but it is very hard to get that in some situations as well. I am honestly trying to not complain, I really am, I did relatively well on the SAT. I got around a 1700. I mean, it is an OK score. But not a score suitable for high reach colleges and I was unaware of that until recently joining this forum. My guidance counselor did not make it seem like a very big deal. I do wish I could have gone back and improved my score. That is all I am trying to say. As hard as it is to get into these schools without a hook, an improvement of 300-400 points would have certainly helped.
Yes. If you are unhooked, high test scores are very helpful.
For many selective colleges, being first generation is actually considered a hook. However, don’t worry too much about it. Get decent SAT/ACT scores and write kick butt essays. People really underestimate the power of a stellar essay.
@Marihorror Thanks. I think my essays were actually very well written.