Hello! My son will be graduating from high school in 2023. Neither his dad nor I graduated from college so he is “first generation.” I’m currently working on getting my degree (part-time) and if I continue at the pace I’m going right now, I would graduate in Spring 2022. He would be doing his college applications in Fall 2022 (6 months later). I’m thinking I could delay my graduation by 9 months or so, so that he can still apply as first generation. I wanted to get some information on how much of an impact being “first generation” would have on both his acceptances and scholarship offers to help me decide whether I should delay my graduation or not. Thank you!
It is a small tip at some schools, but on it’s own it won’t get him into anywhere his stats don’t fit. It does the most good when it is in a larger context. Unless there are specific scholarships that I am unaware of (totally plausible) there is no extra money for being 1st Gen.
But honestly my first reaction is ‘really? that sort of trying to game the system is the example you want to set’?
There is no box on the application that says “Check here if you are first gen.” The student lists his/her parents info, and the college does with it what it will. Different colleges have different definitions of first gen; some is the first gen to attend college while others is the first gen to graduate. Similarly, some colleges place greater weight on first gen than others. There is no blanket answer. In terms of a hook, it’s probably minimal, and even then, the applicant would need to be strong on his/her own.
Is it enough to delay graduation? Not in my mind.
Yes, that makes sense on it not doing much on its own. I know that the vast majority will be based on his stats and his hard work. I do know that some schools offer scholarships for first generation college students, and honestly we could really use that help financially.
I can see what you’re saying about “gaming the system” but I don’t really view it that way. He will have grown up his entire life (up to his senior year in high school) with neither parent being a college graduate. So if I graduate the year he graduates HS from my viewpoint that doesn’t change much for him in comparison to other students whose parents didn’t graduate from college. If I felt there were something dishonest about it, I definitely wouldn’t do it.
Thanks for your input!
It’s up to you and your son to discern whether he is “first generation.” My reaction was similar to collegemom3717’s. It feels like he is soon to be “second” generation because you are a college student and soon to graduate. If you will have graduated by the time he submits his application, then he would need to answer honestly that one parent is a college graduate.
There are entering college students out of high school whose parents are not college graduates, nor had they the luxury/opportunity/means of pursuing a college education. The “impact” you’re asking about is probably negligible (one or two scholarships? First generation status is probably one factor weighed less than essays, extracurricular activities, and grades). I would also consider how delaying your graduation could mean an increase in tuition for you.
You’d kind of be asking your child to lie on his applications - I’m sure you don’t want to do that. Even if it isn’t a total lie, it’s stretching the truth and I doubt you want to encourage that in your child. Right?
Thanks for all the responses. I definitely wouldn’t ask my son to lie and I can understand how it’s coming across that way. From my understanding, on the common app in the section the student fills out about the parents, there is a question asking about their education level. So, it would mean the difference between him selecting “some college” (current status) or “bachelor’s degree” which will be the case when I’m done. If both parents are “some college” or below, that is considered by most colleges to be “first generation.”
So, if I haven’t graduated by the time he’s applying “some college” would still be the honest answer to the question. It is true that I will be almost graduated though. It sounds like I should just move forward with my plans and just graduate on schedule, which means I’d graduate a few months before he’s doing his applications. I definitely don’t want to do something that could be perceived as being shady.
Thanks!
I can only remember entering information about my (single mother) educational status on the common app, but maybe a few non-common app universities asked for this too. I do not think it would be dishonest for you to slow down your final course load to graduate after your son’s applications, so that he can honestly answer “highest education level completed” as HS for you and husband. And congratulations to you for your efforts! I’m sure it has not been easy to continue your education at this age and stage.
As you said, your son has been raised in a family without the advantages of a college educated parent. His first 17 years count! If, on the other hand, an application asks: “no college, some college, completed Bachelor’s, completed post-grad,” then you would honestly mark “some college”.
People’s responses have been a little holier than thou. It’s ok for the Kushners to donate big bucks so Jared goes to an ivy league school, but heaven forbid a parent delay graduating college by a few months. Will it make a big difference? I have no idea – though I suspect if the kid has strong stats and applies to top schools, it probably would help. But spare me – if something a) was legal b) wasn’t much of a hardship for you and c) helped your kid get into a great school – 99% of parents would do it in a heartbeat.
Thanks @bobo44 . That aligns with what I had been thinking, as well. I was kind of surprised by the other responses. But it did make think twice since I don’t want to do something (or have him do something) that others would feel is dishonest. (It just hadn’t crossed my mind as possibly being seen that way!)
And yes, what you said is exactly what my understanding was–that it’s just a matter of checking a box for the highest level of education completed. So, he’d just honestly check whatever is the highest level at the time when he’s filling out the applications. I may actually need to take a semester off next year anyway due to some work obligations, so this question may actually end up being irrelevant if that happens!
Thanks again for your input.
@cinnamon1212 your response literally made me laugh out loud. Thanks, I appreciate it!
Don’t delay your graduation. Just encourage your son to make it clear you are a recent (key word “recent”) grad, that he essentially grew up in a household with parents of a high school education level. He can mention this in the “anything else we should know” section, or he could write an essay about how your hard work (and his father’s support) set an example and encouraged him. Let colleges make of it what they will.
@Groundwork2022 That’s a good idea! I hadn’t thought about him giving that additional information, which would help give a more complete picture.
None of us know exactly how much first gen impacts the admissions process, we do know that it must since many colleges love to point out how many first gens they have. If I were in your shoes I would consider delaying if it wasn’t that big is a deal to me and if my child was applying to top schools, otherwise no sense in delaying.
When an application asks about a parent and their schooling, they ask about what school they went to and what month and year they graduated.
Since yours will be very recent, most schools - if they’re interested in that sort of info - will clearly get the picture.
I really like the idea of an essay about watching a parents’ persistence toward improving their knowledge and fulfilling or completing a degree regardless of age.
Yes, I would delay the graduation if it made a difference at the schools on my son’s list. Some schools like Duke and the UCs take that heavily into consideration. Some schools, not so much or at all. I don’t think it’s gaming the system if the definition fits the school. It’s good strategy and sense. Unless it’s holding up something job wise or important enough for you to go on ahead and get that degree ASAP
Actually, DS did have an application last week that asked specifically if his mother and/or father graduated from college.
After reading some of the early responses, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Then I read this and decided I need only quote it. Perfect!
Actually I am pretty sure they do not ask for the parents graduation year.
At least with the schools my sons applied to.
I think many schools do want 1st gen students. If they didn’t consider 1st gen important, they wouldn’t ask about it. All else being close to equal it’s a finger on the scale. Especially at a place like Harvard, or similar elite, struggling to balance out all the privileged kids. It might not make such a difference at a school that doesn’t face that issue.
I don’t think that @FafsaQuestions is asking to her son to lie in his application, If she suspend her studies and not graduated at moment of her son application, he is not lying. is a strategy, I don’t know how important is to be a first generation student in an application success , but for me she is not doing wrong in the application process.
It’s like you grandfather wants give you money for college and you tell him, thanks, but better give me the money the next year, because the money can affect my financial aid this year.
This is strategy, is wrong just if you. received the money and not report to college.