<p>my dad didn't go to college at all (actually I'm not sure if he finished his senior year of HS)
my mom went to WVU for 1 year and then dropped out, had kids, then went to a community college for an associates degree...</p>
<p>on one of the applications I looked at it asks if either parent has earned a bach degree and so I put no... do you think that will help any?</p>
<p>and on another application it just asks if either of your parents attended college but I guess my mom did to some extent so I can't use that...</p>
<p>For the first app, the correct answer is no, as you said. It is possible it could help a little.</p>
<p>On the second, I'd say yes and if there's room, put (A.A.) afterwards. </p>
<p>as far as "using" that, each school uses the info differently. Just answer honestly, put good applications together, and let the schools use it as they choose.</p>
<p>I read in an article that Princeton gives special consideration to those first in their family to attend college. I don't know what kind of schools you're interested in, but those elitist universities like to do that kind of stuff.</p>
<p>It depends on where you're applying. It can be a plus at the very top colleges, which want to diversify because they have an overabundance of applicants from well educated backgrounds. </p>
<p>It probably won't help at public universities, which tend to do admissions strictly by students' stats.</p>
<p>well the only "top" private schools I'm looking at are NYU, Northeastern, USC, RISD, Tulane, Cooper Union, and IIT</p>