What qualifies as first generation and how significant is it in admissions?
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Anonymous
Yes I am but I meant I teach at an institution with a lot of first-gen kids and I have a lot in my classes, which makes for a different kind of college experience and can shape an institution's goals and methods if there are a large number of first-gen students. I don't hand pick who they are or define them and then work with them because they are first-gen. A lot of my research focuses on career prep for disadvantaged students (first-gen is only one of those types of disadvantages). No one is going to not be supported because they don't meet a definition. In fact, we don't even ask (some will volunteer their background). For financial aid and loans and scholarships for first-gen students though, that's a different thing. Admissions departments would define that and stick to it without deviation because it's critical that the same rules apply to everyone. |
Anonymous
Ah, thank you so much, now I understand! |
Anonymous
I just checked. There is a drop down to denote your highest level of education, then a College Lookup to attach your alma mater. That look up includes non-US schools. Then there are additional boxes where you list the year you received your degree, etc. I happened to do my undergrad and grad at the same school so I have the one school listed and the two degrees. DH has his undergraduate school and degree listed and then his graduate school and degree. Hope that helps. |
Anonymous
That's crazy. So if you went to Oxford and your wife to the Sorbonne, your kid is first generation but if another couple both attended a community college for a semester and dropped out, that kid isn't. Lies, Damnable Lies and Statistics! |
Anonymous
The Common App clearly asks for parent education information and schools outside of the US are available to choose from so I'm not sure the information on the PPs kid's future high school website is accurate for college admissions. |
Anonymous
I am the PP you are replying to. I think the HS definition is more about opportunities to get prepared for college; I don’t think the school would tell anyone to lie on the Common app. |
Anonymous
PP who posted this. I think maybe they just invite kids of foreign educated parents to learn more about the process and maybe use a couple opportunities that aren’t defined too strictly, but I don’t think there is a promise of better admission chances or some such in their definition. |
Anonymous
Thank you so much! Great to know. |
Anonymous
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"I'm volunteering with a program where your child could qualify as first gen. If you don't need assistance with the US college application process, that's great. Perhaps you feel that you can figure it out on your own, or pay for independent counselors. But other parents and kids without US college application experience might feel that they can benefit from learning more about the process, and that's what this program is for."
No. Just no. I have three higher ed degrees, including a PhD. Even I needed "assistance with the US college application process." Almost everything, especially paying for it, has changed since the 1980s when I applied to college. That cannot be the distinction between what makes someone First Gen or not. |
Anonymous
love how you overlook the actual number one hook - recruited athletes. And the actual number two hook - big donors. Gee, I wonder why? |
Anonymous
Sorry! My kid has one of the three hooks I listed and the two you listed are irrelevant to me so I naturally overlooked them I am sure there are others I am not even aware of! |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
DH is an immigrant, and he's 50+. The university he went to changed it's name and charter. It's no longer listed on that dropdown, so we had to pick the one that is closest. |
Anonymous
well, the other two hooks you listed are also irrelevant to you since your kid only has one hook but you made it a point to mention them. |
Anonymous
Why are you trying to catch me? These three hooks often go together. My kid is part of a cohort for low income URM first gen Am I good now? |