Why does common app require parent background info?

[Anonymous]

I was a little taken aback that career and educational info for both parents is required on the common app. Does anybody know why? Seems wrong to me that the parents credentials factor in to the admissions decision and wondering what others think.

[Anonymous]

Some schools like to know - or reward - students who are first in their family to go to college. They also care if a parent member is an alum of the college you are applying to.

I remember answering the same question back in 1983. It isn’t new.

[Anonymous]

They ask because there's a difference between a student whose parents have graduate degrees and professional jobs and one whose parents did not go to college and have blue/pink collar jobs. If colleges are supposed to create social mobility, then they need to identify and admit qualified students to become the first in their families to go to college. My DC has never had to think about going to college or how to fit in with doctors, lawyers, or academics because that's who we are. If given a chance, students who don't start with as many advantages can succeed just a well, even if they present differently.

[Anonymous]

I have a bachelors and a blue collar job. Husband has an associates and an office job. Does this work for or against us?

[Anonymous]

I have no degree with a white collar job. Husband has a masters level degree with a pink collar job. Where does this put my kid as far as common app is concerned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no degree with a white collar job. Husband has a masters level degree with a pink collar job. Where does this put my kid as far as common app is concerned?

Neither your child, nor the PP above you, will be considered first-generation college students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no degree with a white collar job. Husband has a masters level degree with a pink collar job. Where does this put my kid as far as common app is concerned?

Neither your child, nor the PP above you, will be considered first-generation college students.

right...but how do colleges view the child of (for example) a computer tech and a daycare worker vs a lawyer and a doctor, assuming all have degrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no degree with a white collar job. Husband has a masters level degree with a pink collar job. Where does this put my kid as far as common app is concerned?

Neither your child, nor the PP above you, will be considered first-generation college students.

right...but how do colleges view the child of (for example) a computer tech and a daycare worker vs a lawyer and a doctor, assuming all have degrees.

That will depend on the college. Some really don't care one bit (if you're not first gen) while others might find it interesting, but it's not going to particularly help or hurt an applicant's chances.

[Anonymous]

I have a hard time believing that the Dr. Lawyer family will not have an edge if the college is expensive -and this bugs me- middle class lose all around with the implied first-gen/rich family favoritism.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised by these threads every time they come up. I had to supply this info back when I applied to college, too. It's just to give them insight and background.

I secretly wonder if they notice when Junior's fancy sounding internship is at mom or dad's business.

[Anonymous]

It gives the colleges background info about the student.
Is this the son of college professors scoring 99th percentile or the son of day-laborers scoring 99th percentile
Is this private school applicant a full pay kid or a scholarship kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing that the Dr. Lawyer family will not have an edge if the college is expensive -and this bugs me- middle class lose all around with the implied first-gen/rich family favoritism.

I think that as far as admissions is concerned, a great applicant will look even greater if they DON'T have a doctor/lawyer family. If you are not upper class, these questions on the application HELP you. We should not get rid of them. It is much easier to hit a home run if you were born on third base, and colleges know it. These questions are not there to give favoritism to rich people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing that the Dr. Lawyer family will not have an edge if the college is expensive -and this bugs me- middle class lose all around with the implied first-gen/rich family favoritism.

Yep. This is actually one of the worst questions ever. My son's dad has a really great education yet he hasn't been involved in his life on any level. Would hate to see my son considered a child of privilege when he is anything but. Very inappropriate to rank kids based on parents accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing that the Dr. Lawyer family will not have an edge if the college is expensive -and this bugs me- middle class lose all around with the implied first-gen/rich family favoritism.

They would have the same edge by checking the box to not be considered for financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a hard time believing that the Dr. Lawyer family will not have an edge if the college is expensive -and this bugs me- middle class lose all around with the implied first-gen/rich family favoritism.

Yep. This is actually one of the worst questions ever. My son's dad has a really great education yet he hasn't been involved in his life on any level. Would hate to see my son considered a child of privilege when he is anything but. Very inappropriate to rank kids based on parents accomplishments.

You need to make sure this information is conveyed to the colleges in some way, possibly by asking the guidance counselor to include it in your child's gc recommendation. (And the colleges are not ranking kids based on this information, they are simply taking into account each individual kid's situation in assessing their accomplishments.)

The pp has a bit of an outlier situation. Most kids with highly educated parents with good jobs have huge advantages in terms of what they have been exposed to in comparison to kids with parents with no or little education. Kids don't get to pick their parents. As a society, we value giving opportunities to all to improve themselves, not just those who were born with parents who value education.