<p>I was reading some threads, and I realised I'm also a first gen college applicant. My grandpa was a farmer, my dad is a technician and my mum's a clerk. but on the commonapp, they don't ask about your grandpa, etc - where to indicate that i'm a first gen?</p>
<p>It's not a "hook," which is something that boosts your chances because it's so compelling and unusual. First gen may be a top factor at some private schools. Colleges realize that you're first gen when they read what you wrote on your app about your parents' education. What your grandparents did doesn't interest them.</p>
<p>I see - thanks for telling me. </p>
<p>Improbable as it may be, what if my grandparents were college grads and my parents weren't? Would I still count as a first generation? That'd be pretty interesting!</p>
<p>All colleges care about is whether your parents were first gen college. I think this relates to how people are accepted to some programs like Upward Bound, which are federally funded.</p>
<p>I think that the thinking is that (assuming that one is raised by one's parents), the education of one's parents will be of great influence in terms of the assistance (help with homework, etc.) that parents will be able to give you to help prepare you for college.</p>
<p>sorry for digging this up but does this apply to internationals as well?</p>
<p>Unless they ask if you have any relatives that went to that school. Then you have to write that your grandpa is a graduate of that school if he went there. But yeah, I think it applies for international.</p>
<p>oh i am actually referring to the part about being a first gen college applicant :)</p>
<p>what if only one of my parents was college educated?</p>
<p>then your not first gen i believe</p>
<p>If either/any parent is college-educated then you are not first gen. but if neither is then you are considered first gen. This is a factor but is not a hook.</p>