Am I considered first generation?

[Jack-Kennedy35]

Hello Everyone,

I moved to America from Russia as an 8 year old and am the first in my family to attend college in America. I have been naturalized not too long ago.

However, my parents did finish college back in Russia and have bachelors degrees. My dad had been employed ever since and we’re doing well for ourselves.

what should I identify as? Am I considered first generation?
Thanks!

@Moko @LizzyM @gonnif@gyngyn
@Goro
@Angus Avagadro

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[LizzyM]

I would say not. I look at your parents highest educational attainment and it says "bachelor's degree". That means you aren't the first in the family to graduate college.

 

[deleted1011020]

first

Oh man I didn’t fill out first gen and both of my parents went to school in a different country

 

[Goro]

Hello Everyone,

I moved to America from Russia as an 8 year old and am the first in my family to attend college in America. I have been naturalized not too long ago.

However, my parents did finish college back in Russia and have bachelors degrees. My dad had been employed ever since and we’re doing well for ourselves.

what should I identify as? Am I considered first generation?
Thanks!

@Moko @LizzyM @gonnif@gyngyn
@Goro
@Angus Avagadro

Nope.

 

[Kardio]

First generation American. Not first generation college.

 

[deleted1011020]

First generation American. Not first generation college.

View attachment 284281

Any source for this ppt?

 

[Kardio]

Any source for this ppt?

aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/gsa/webinars/assessing-financial-need

 

[allantois]

 

[Hopefulpremed123]

Hmm, I think this is a grey area because the applicant was born out of country and moved here at a young age.

So if he had to overcome obstacles such as not having the proper guidance from his parents, who did their schooling in another country, and/ or overcoming cultural and lingual discrepancies, then doesn't that entail everything that matches a first generation applicant? Especially since the OP had to traverse the path in America, basically on his own accord.

I would say maybe not mark it on the primary; but it might be okay to address yourself as a first generation student in secondaries who don't specify the definition? I think it also has to do with what the OP identifies himself as too in his unique situation, right? But the adcoms might be better able to answer this. Thoughts? @LizzyM @gonnif @Moko

 

[non_traditional4500]

Following! I'm in a similar boat and will be applying in a couple of cycles.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using SDN mobile

 

[Kardio]

Hmm, I think this is a grey area because the applicant was born out of country and moved here at a young age.

So if he had to overcome obstacles such as not having the proper guidance from his parents, who did their schooling in another country, and/ or overcoming cultural and lingual discrepancies, then doesn't that entail everything that matches a first generation applicant? Especially since the OP had to traverse the path in America, basically on his own accord.

I would say maybe not mark it on the primary; but it might be okay to address yourself as a first generation student in secondaries who don't specify the definition? I think it also has to do with what the OP identifies himself as too in his unique situation, right? But the adcoms might be better able to answer this. Thoughts? @LizzyM @gonnif @Moko

It’s hypothetically fine to write an adversity/diversity essay based on being a first generation immigrant.

AFAIK, there is no place in the secondary that explicitly asks if you’re “a first generation college student.” AdComs only surmise that based off information about your parents (and thus produces the “Education-Occupation” indicator, seen in my previous post). I doubt any secondaries will ask “are you a first generation college student?” because that information is already covered in the primary application.

This really isn’t a gray zone, at all.

 

[Moko]

So if he had to overcome obstacles such as not having the proper guidance from his parents, who did their schooling in another country, and/ or overcoming cultural and lingual discrepancies, then doesn't that entail everything that matches a first generation applicant? Especially since the OP had to traverse the path in America, basically on his own accord. I would say maybe not mark it on the primary; but it might be okay to address yourself as a first generation student in secondaries who don't specify the definition?

OP would be considered a first generation American, but not a first generation college student. To suggest that they are the first in the family to attend college would be disingenuous.

 

[Goro]

OP would be considered a first generation American, but not a first generation college student. To suggest that they are the first in the family to attend college would be disingenuous.

I would tighten the definition even more...to me, 1st gen American means someone born in this country to immigrant parents.

Note that med schools apps are likely to ask "are you the 1st generation in your family to go to college?" Two different things. The OP is an immigrant, who is the child of college grads. Hence, neither of these apply to OP.

 

[Kardio]

I would tighten the definition even more...to me, 1st gen American means someone born in this country to immigrant parents.

Note that med schools apps are likely to ask "are you the 1st generation in your family to go to college?" Two different things. The OP is an immigrant, who is the child of college grads. Hence, neither of these apply to OP.

Pulled out the ole’ Marriam-Webster. Apparently “First Generation” can actually refer to both groups we’re talking about. I didn’t know both groups counted until now lol.

Definition of FIRST-GENERATION

born in the U.S. —used of an American of immigrant parentage; foreign-born—used of a naturalized American… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[Jack-Kennedy35]

I received my answer thank you!

So for the questions regarding challenges faced or diversity..... is that a common thing you hear from applicants ( immigration challenges)?
Would you suggest to focus on other matters and steer away from this topic because it is so common?

@Goro @Moko @LizzyM

 

[Goro]

I received my answer thank you!

So for the questions regarding challenges faced or diversity..... is that a common thing you hear from applicants ( immigration challenges)?
Would you suggest to focus on other matters and steer away from this topic because it is so common?

@Goro @Moko @LizzyM

The immigrant experience in indeed a common diversity or adversity answer, and they're fine as such. The immigrant experience is important, despite the attempts of He Who Must Not Be Named to demonize it.

 

[Moko]

So for the questions regarding challenges faced or diversity..... is that a common thing you hear from applicants ( immigration challenges)?
Would you suggest to focus on other matters and steer away from this topic because it is so common?

Most applications share similar themes, and these themes are common for a reason (spoiler: they work).

Your goal should be for your application to show who you are and make a case for why you will one day make a good physician and colleague. Resist the urge to be unique just for the sake of it.