Question about "first generation college student?"

Applying to College
1

So I have been looking this up and I have read that being a first generation college student means that both of your parents or anyone before that in your family has attended college.

I read that it makes a difference because parents who have attended college will know better about how the admissions process works, sat scores, and stuff like that compared to a student who has parents who have never attended college.

The thing is with me my father has been absent all my life and it has always been my mother and I. My mother never attended college and I haven’t had any type of contact with my dad, so I do not know whether he attended college or not. So what do I put? Would I be considered a first generation student?

2

The Common App asks for occupation and education details for both parents, but you can list your mother as “Parent 1” and select the “Unknown” option for Parent 2.