Being first-gen may sometimes help you get into college by offering admission advantages and additional scholarship opportunities, but it ultimately depends on the specific college’s policies and criteria for admission.
More detailed answer to your request
Being a first-generation college student can sometimes provide advantages in the college admissions process. According to the American Council on Education, “colleges and universities increasingly recognize that first-generation students bring unique perspectives and experiences to their campuses, making them valuable contributors to the overall diversity of the student body.”
Some colleges may offer specific admissions criteria or support programs for first-generation students. For example, the University of California system gives “priority consideration” to first-generation college students who meet certain qualifications. Additionally, many colleges offer scholarships specifically for first-gen students.
However, it is important to note that being first-gen is not always a guarantee of admission or financial aid. Each college has its own set of criteria for admissions and scholarships, and being first-gen is only one factor in their decision-making process. As the College Board states, “Being first-generation is a significant accomplishment, but it is not the only factor in an admissions decision.”
Overall, being first-gen can provide some advantages in the college admissions process, but it is important for students to research each college’s specific policies and requirements.
Interesting facts:
About one-third of college students in the United States are first-generation.
In addition to potentially facing more financial hurdles, first-gen students may also struggle with navigating the college admissions process and adjusting to college life.
First-gen students are more likely to be low-income, come from underrepresented minority groups, and have parents with less education.
Despite these challenges, research has found that first-gen students are just as likely as their non-first-gen peers to graduate college.
Some colleges offer specific admissions criteria or support programs for first-gen students.
Many colleges offer scholarships specifically for first-gen students.
Cons of being first-gen in college admissions:
Being first-gen is not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.
Each college has its own set of criteria for admissions and scholarships, and being first-gen is only one factor in their decision-making process.
Video answer to “Does being first gen help you get into college?”
The video “What does being a first-generation college student mean to you?” features five employees of Mid Michigan College sharing their experiences as first-generation college students. They discuss the sense of accomplishment it brought them, how it allowed for pursuing their dreams, and breaking cycles of limited opportunities in their families.
Surely you will be interested
Does being first-gen help college admissions?
Response will be: Do students who will be the first in their families to attend college enjoy an advantage in the highly selective college admissions process? You bet they do! America’s elite universities love to admit students whose parents did not attend college. They do so hoping to grease the wheels of their socioeconomic mobility.
Do colleges consider first generation students?
Many colleges and universities are beginning to consider students with parents who attended international universities as first-gen. We suggest contacting your admissions counselor, academic advisor, first-gen student programs office, or a trusted person on your campus to learn more.
Is college harder for first generation students?
Response: Still, there are many challenges that first-gen students encounter in college. They often face psychological, academic, financial, and social challenges, and about one in three leave college within the first three years.
What benefits do first generation college students get?
Answer will be: First-generation students are eligible for both need-based and merit-based aid. Need-based aid considers financial eligibility and may include grants as well as student loans. It includes federal Pell Grants, work-study (a part-time campus job), and subsidized student loans.
Should first-generation college students be included in your application?
In reply to that: If the colleges to which you’re applying know that you’re a first-generation college student, this is a fact that they can take into account when assessing the accomplishments you list in your application.
Do first-Gen students complete college at lower rates than their peers?
Response will be: Fact 3: First-gen students complete college at lower rates than their peers. Most first-gen students who attend a very or moderately selective school graduate, while the large majority of first-gen students who attend an open-admissions school do not.
Why are first generation students considered first generation?
As an answer to this: Typically, schools will consider a student to be first generation if their parents did not receive a Bachelor’s degree from an institution within the United States. This is likely because the college admissions process and experience are quite different in the United States from those in other countries.
What are the pros and cons of being a first-generation student?
There are pros and cons to every situation, and being a first-generation student is no different. It’s an exciting venture, one that unlocks new opportunities in life. Another valuable resource for a first-generation student is College Raptor!
Is being a first-generation college student a good idea?
Response: It is important to note though that being first-generation is by no means an indicator of a student’s ability to succeed in and after college. For example, Michelle Obama, John Lewis, Michelle Kwan, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are all first-generation college graduates.
What makes a college a first gen school?
In reply to that: The school considered a student first generation only if neither parent had a bachelor’s degree. “I was just shocked,” said Ms. Weingarten, who would identify the college only as a prominent engineering school. “To me, that boy was first gen all the way. He wasn’t raised by his father.”
Do first-Gen students complete college at lower rates than their peers?
Fact 3: First-gen students complete college at lower rates than their peers. Most first-gen students who attend a very or moderately selective school graduate, while the large majority of first-gen students who attend an open-admissions school do not.
How much money does a first generation college student make?
Response to this: Fewer than half of first-generation graduates have a job that requires a bachelor’s degree one year after finishing school. The median household income of a first-generation college graduate is $99,600, compared to $135,800 for households of continuing-generation graduates. What is a first-generation college student?
