See thread title…
I dont understand what that is, could anyone please explain it to me?
And if you are a first generation, is there anywhere in the application where you can fill it in…
<p>"First generation" depends on the college. At some, it means that neither of your parents attended college. At others, it means that neither of your parents graduated from a 4-year college.</p>
<p>"College" always refers to a university or college -- inside or outside of the US. Having parents who graduated from (or attended, depending on the college you're applying to) a college outside of the US means you are NOT considered a first generation college student.</p>
<p>Colleges get the info when you fill out the part in the application that asks where your parents went to college and what degrees they obtained.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. At most colleges (especially select schools, first-generation college students as those students whose parents have had no college or university experience. These students have been defined as being from blue-collar backgrounds containing lower levels of formal education). When compared to the "traditional student", first-generation college students had lower pre-college critical thinking abilities, and were more likely to come from low income families, and to have been encouraged by teachers (not parents) to attend college.</p>
<p>According to the National center for Educational Statistics, </p>
<p><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/98082.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/98082.pdf</a></p>
<p>First-Generation Students: Undergraduates Whose Parents Never
Enrolled in Postsecondary Education </p>
<p>If your fammily immigrated to the U.S. and attended college in another country, you are not a first generation college student in the U.S.</p>
<p>Are you considered first-generation if your parents did not attend college but you have an older sibling that did?</p>
<p>I always considered myself to be a first generation student, even though my dad technically attended college. I understand that under those terms, I am not categorized as a first generation student, however, my dad had obtained a college education in Korea, and only several years later, he left, married my mom, and we lived in a not-so-luxurious apartment in the middle of ghetto Philadelphia. They had obtained the core definition of what a blue collar job was (my mom was a waitress at a diner, while my father worked in a dry cleaner store). After years of hard work in the blue-collar industry, my parents were able to save enough money to buy a house in the suburbs, and now I have a nice suburban education (I have gone to the same school district from K-11 soon to be 12). Unfortunately, neither of my parents speak English very well, and though there were probably many opportunities to for me to devote countless hours reading books, I was more interested in math and science, so I had little exposure to English as a language (outside of school). As you can see, my parents- or more my dad- have worked more of a blue-collar employment than a blue-collar employee at Wal-mart selling blue-collar shirts! I just want some feedback on my experiences and whether or not it is wrong for me to consider myself to be a first generation student- even though by definition, I guess I'm not.</p>
<p>My parents never had education. They are both refugees from Vietnam.
But I don't live in the US, so does it count too???</p>
<p>KRabble88, whether or not you're a first generation student isn't really important. It doesn't give you an edge in admissions, and there are very few scholarships available specifically for first generation scholarships (which consider need first). While your father may have attended college, his job at the dry cleaner's reflects that his education did not impact his career or income. Your parents' blue collar jobs pretty much set you on the same level as a first generation student anyway, who are generalized to come from low income families and have fewer opportunities to suceed due to their parent's lack of higher education.</p>
<p>Deference, since neither of your parents attended college nor received a degree, you are considered a first generation student. This will be evident when you have to fill out the "Parent Information" section on the application and you leave the "college attended" and "degree earned" categories blank.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Are you considered first-generation if your parents did not attend college but you have an older sibling that did?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Can someone answer this question?</p>
<p>Drab, if i'm not mistaken I think that is still considered first generation</p>
<p>My parents never had education. They are both refugees from Vietnam.
But I don't live in the US, so does it count too???</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>My parents never had education. They are both refugees from Vietnam.
But I don't live in the US, so does it count too???</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>And give being a 1st gen a edge in college admission??</p>
<p>
[quote]
I just want some feedback on my experiences and whether or not it is wrong for me to consider myself to be a first generation student- even though by definition, I guess I'm not.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You hit the nail on the head, you are not a first generation college student. when filling out your application you are expected to answer truthfully. while lying about it you will have little to gain (it is really not a big tip factor because it is taken in context of the rest of your application) and much to lose (namely your acceptance).</p>
<p>
[quote]
My parents never had education. They are both refugees from Vietnam. But I don't live in the US, so does it count too???
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You application will be considered in the international pool of applicants. As I previously mentioned it is taken in context of the rest of your application.</p>
<p>I'm sorry if I came off looking for some sort of advantage or sympathy in the admissions process, but I wanted to compare my situation with those that are truly first generation students and those who are not. I have always felt that I belonged as a first generation student, for I have many similarities as one. I guess I was just explaining my situation to clear something up for myself (and anyone else that may be in the same situation). Thanks for the replies as well!!</p>
<p>P.S.- Don't worry, I won't lie on my college application!</p>
<p>I don't think first generation students get much edge in admissions. It just makes the schools look better, probably.</p>
<p>ehhh my mom went to FIT and dropped out after a term? so this means i could not be first-generation? :\ aww</p>
<p>Crash Blair,</p>
<p>You are correct that you are not a first generation</p>
<p>so, if one parent has like, an associates degree, youre not considered first-generation?</p>
<p>If one arent went to college period, you are not considered a first generation student.</p>
<p>If a parent has an associates degree, some 4-year colleges consider you first generation college, some don't.</p>
<p>If you have siblings who are college graduates, but your parents did not attend college, you still are in the first generation of your family to attend college, so are considered first generation college.</p>
<p>Colleges make these distinctions because they know that it's more difficult for students to learn about the steps to get into college if their parents are not college educated. This includes the students' having more difficulty getting help with schoolwork, choosing classes, knowing how to apply to college, etc.</p>