Any first-generation college students out there?

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han14tra

han14tra

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This is the place to share the experiences you've had throughout this application process if you are a first generation college student.

Are there any challenges in particular that you faced?
Did it influence why you wanted to become a doctor?
 
I was a first generation high school graduate, and I am a soon to be first generation college grad 😀. My parents were very good to me, minus the beatings I received when I didn't bring home A's.... only kidding 🙂
 
Wow, are there really this few of us? Or, are people get not chiming in?

Anyway, I think the fact that I am a first generation college student has influenced my decision to become a doctor. In fact, I think it was the fact that I am one of very few people in my entire community that have gone onto college. Part of my motivation to become a doctor is so that I can give back to a community that doesn't currently have a doctor, where the people are low-income and their work is more physically demanding than a lot of jobs.

Anyone else care to offer anything to this thread?
 
I'm right here with ya 🙂 Not only am I first generation college, there is still not a single person in my family to graduate from a normal high school. :laugh: We were all forced into alternative high schools due to poor high school performance. Before I was kicked out of my high school (well, sort of) I was ranked about 480/490. Of my close high school friends, none went to college. Many of them didn't graduate high school (one recently went back and got his diploma through adult school).

I wish schools found this more interesting though. It's really hard to develop your own study habits, identify that "hey, education is actually important", etc. Took me quite a while to find "direction" (7yr BS track).
 
amlo86 said:
I was a first generation high school graduate, and I am a soon to be first generation college grad 😀. My parents were very good to me, minus the beatings I received when I didn't bring home A's.... only kidding 🙂
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Out of curiosity, were your parents immigrants? I see this a lot with my immigrant friends. Their parents will work their butts off to give themselves opportunities that many American kids take for granted.

My parents didn't give a hoot about college until I got myself involved... they were supportive after that point, which is cool. 🙂
 
1st gen college grad and grew up in poverty. Luckily, my mom was an excellent influence on me and pushed change in socio-economic position through education. Growing up I faced a poor learning environment due to a troubled sibling who was overpowering in comparison to my single mother and her four children. This lead to many difficulties for my personal development. Eventually, once he was in jail, my environment became more stable and I started working towards receiving an education. I basically received my high school education through a community college, and finally transferred to my state university where I have had much success. I am now applying to medical school... which is something I never thought I would do.

The impact of my early years has given me a desire to give back to the very society which has given me an opportunity to succeed. I emphathise with the underserved, being that I was once there myself. I am now dedicated to serving community, and working towards better outcomes of those who do not have access to health care.

Good luck to all who have overcome difficult circumstances.
 
amlo86 said:
I was a first generation high school graduate, and I am a soon to be first generation college grad 😀. My parents were very good to me, minus the beatings I received when I didn't bring home A's.... only kidding 🙂
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an A minus??!?!?! what is this ****?!?!?! you think I send you to school to get A minuses???!! *whack *whack *whack....go to your room, no supper for you tonight!!!!
 
I'm a first generation college graduate (soon to be, c'mon May!). My parents have been extremely supportive of me in the collegiate process. I keep them in the dark for a majority of things, but let them know important things going on. I would say my education is more dependent on me, than them however (financial, determination, investigation). Everyone in my family is ecstatic that I am not only going to graduate from college but also go on to medical school. I wish my brother would follow my pattern but that hasn't really happened. However I have him seriously thinking of going on to trade school when he graduates next year (we're born 4 years apart, ironic).
 
Bacchus said:
I'm a first generation college graduate (soon to be, c'mon May!). My parents have been extremely supportive of me in the collegiate process. I keep them in the dark for a majority of things, but let them know important things going on. I would say my education is more dependent on me, than them however (financial, determination, investigation). Everyone in my family is ecstatic that I am not only going to graduate from college but also go on to medical school. I wish my brother would follow my pattern but that hasn't really happened. However I have him seriously thinking of going on to trade school when he graduates next year (we're born 4 years apart, ironic).
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Same situation with my brothers. I have 3 brothers and they're not doing very much with themselves, unfortunately. The most successful one works at the GeekSquad. I'm hoping he'll go to school or get some certificates, etc, so he can further his career somehow. I have another brother who is considering the military, so that's good. The last one (oldest) scares me... way too much pot.
 
I'm a first generation college student I suppose? The only people in my extended family with college educations is my step-grandma and an uncle I've never seen. My dad dropped out of school to work full time to support his family...factory work full time for 22 years+. He always says how he wants me to go to college so I can do better than he did, and it really does have an impact on me. But does it have an impact on why I want to be a doctor? No, not really.
 
I'm a first-generation college graduate -- and the only one of the 6 kids in my family.

My parents are proud, but not overly so. They view post-secondary education as a choice, not a necessity or even a big privilege that must be taken advantage of. Both my parents are doing what they want, and it just happened to not require university. I'm sure if it had, they would have done it.

My dad often questions my pursuit of medicine though. He feels the career yields less rewards than the self-sacrifice it demands. He's very encouraging when I have a bad test and threaten to drop out of school lol "that would be wonderful! then you could go to Italy!"

oh dad!
 
I'm a soon to be first generation college graduate and I also grew up poor: however, I'm white so it really doesn't make a difference in the admissions process.
 
Reagan2012 said:
I'm a soon to be first generation college graduate and I also grew up poor: however, I'm white so it really doesn't make a difference in the admissions process.
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Overcoming the obstacles that poverty brings doesn't matter on your skin color. The fact is, you have developed certain characteristics in the process of getting to where you are now that will make you a good physician.

Don't undermine your accomplishment.
 
slrplx said:
Overcoming the obstacles that poverty brings doesn't matter on your skin color. The fact is, you have developed certain characteristics in the process of getting to where you are now that will make you a good physician.

Don't undermine your accomplishment.
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Yeah, its very true that coming from the type of background many of us here have (poor, uneducated) develops character for everyone! 😀 However, I think Reagan2012 is referring to it helping him in the sense of getting interviews/acceptances. Hasn't helped me, but w/e. Who needs help, right? 🙂
 
TRN1983 said:
Yeah, its very true that coming from the type of background many of us here have (poor, uneducated) develops character for everyone! 😀 However, I think Reagan2012 is referring to it helping him in the sense of getting interviews/acceptances. Hasn't helped me, but w/e. Who needs help, right? 🙂
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In a sense it does help. You are automatically diverse, you have a ton to talk about in your essays and schools do take into account your socio-economic status as a factor.
 
slrplx said:
In a sense it does help. You are automatically diverse, you have a ton to talk about in your essays and schools do take into account your socio-economic status as a factor.
Click to expand...
Very true. However, in only an hour its difficult to get all of the things you'd love to say in an interview 🙂 I think it helped me develop a pretty good PS though.
 
However, a lot of times pride overcomes your economical hardships. I didn't apply as economically-hardshipped because I feel my life has been good despite the modest pay my parents make.
 
Bacchus said:
However, a lot of times pride overcomes your economical hardships. I didn't apply as economically-hardshipped because I feel my life has been good despite the modest pay my parents make.
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Yeah, I just didn't feel right when I considered applying "disadvantaged" considering there are so many people on the planety who had/have it way worse than I ever have. I'd argue that "disadvantaged" is far too general a term, and it a complete matter of perspective. But, when I consider things now from the perspective of an admissions committee member at a medical school I realize that I'd definitely fall into the "disadvantaged" category. 😎

Ultimately, I just couldn't bring myself to apply disadvantaged. I figured I'd throw stuff in my PS, etc, that would point out I had experienced some unusual hardships growing up (economic/social/familial), but I tried to keep the tone of it all very light. I hate sounding all sad/depressing/pathetic/etc. Now I think it was a bad decision not going through with the disadvantaged app.
 
I'm a first generation high school graduate, college graduate, and soon to be graduate school graduate. I think one of the most difficult things about being first generation is that my parents could never help my with my homework, my college applications, or with college life in general. Not having someone there as guidance is difficult since you need to figure out everything for yourself and make opportunities for yourself. On the plus, the Dean at USC says that they take into account your parent's education level as an indication of "opportunity."
 
TRN1983 said:
Out of curiosity, were your parents immigrants? I see this a lot with my immigrant friends. Their parents will work their butts off to give themselves opportunities that many American kids take for granted.

My parents didn't give a hoot about college until I got myself involved... they were supportive after that point, which is cool. 🙂
Click to expand...

My parents weren't but my grandparents are. My parents had me at a very young age, my mother was 15 and my dad was 16. They didn't graduate from college and didn't get their GEDs until their mid-20s. So they pushed me quite a bit, but I'm quite thankful for it.
 
DreamPills said:
I think one of the most difficult things about being first generation is that my parents could never help my with my homework, my college applications, or with college life in general. Not having someone there as guidance is difficult since you need to figure out everything for yourself and make opportunities for yourself.
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Too true.
 
amlo86 said:
My parents weren't but my grandparents are. My parents had me at a very young age, my mother was 15 and my dad was 16. They didn't graduate from college and didn't get their GEDs until their mid-20s. So they pushed me quite a bit, but I'm quite thankful for it.
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Ah, gotcha. I figured it was something like that.
 
DreamPills said:
I'm a first generation high school graduate, college graduate, and soon to be graduate school graduate. I think one of the most difficult things about being first generation is that my parents could never help my with my homework, my college applications, or with college life in general. Not having someone there as guidance is difficult since you need to figure out everything for yourself and make opportunities for yourself. On the plus, the Dean at USC says that they take into account your parent's education level as an indication of "opportunity."
Click to expand...
Aye. This is the reason I keep my parents in the dark for the "unimportant" things. They just need to know I got in and how I intend on paying for it (which != them).
 
Neither of my parents finished college, and none of my grandparents even contemplated going to college. (Or graduating high school, for a few of them.) But honestly, that hasn't given me any huge challenges to face-- I'd say the worst was bringing home high school homework that my mom didn't understand and couldn't help with.

I think I have been motivated to graduate college and go on to med school by looking at my parents-- especially my dad who never amounted to anything and finally committed suicide because he couldn't handle that-- and thinking "I don't want to be like you." I love my parents, but they missed out on a lot of opportunities, and I really want to learn from their mistakes.
 
han14tra said:
Wow, are there really this few of us? Or, are people get not chiming in?

Anyway, I think the fact that I am a first generation college student has influenced my decision to become a doctor. In fact, I think it was the fact that I am one of very few people in my entire community that have gone onto college. Part of my motivation to become a doctor is so that I can give back to a community that doesn't currently have a doctor, where the people are low-income and their work is more physically demanding than a lot of jobs.

Anyone else care to offer anything to this thread?
Click to expand...


<--- First generation college grad.
 
First generation college grad (Ivy League). I also have a graduate degree. Coming from a working-class background, it can sometimes feel like you have to work harder than other folks who have don't have to be employed to get through college and/or who have had been prepared for the cultural challenges of something like applying to med school by experiences and opportunities that you couldn't have even imagined.

But hey, as we all know, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 😉
 
first generation college grad here as well. best of luck everyone =)
 
My father has an Associates Degree and my mother has some college. I will be the first in my family to graduate from a 4-year institution. Does this count?
 
Hi ya.

Yep I'm a first generation college graduate. My parents both have an 8th grade education. I have two brothers, I wish my older one would go back to school (he dropped out in his last year) and my younger brother wants to be a police officer. Initially, I wanted to go to law school, but hated the idea when I graduated with my bachelors. I think as a first generation graduate, you have to work harder at it and be more motivated. You are going against the norm of what you grew up with. 🙂

On a side note, my husband's family is loaded with well educated people. Yet he loathes the idea of going back to school (he's in IT). My husband's grandpa (who's a neurologist) was the person who first introduced me to medicine. I guess it also helps that I have a mother in law who is a nurse. They really enjoy what they do, and I find it encouraging to have them as role models. I haven't yet told my parent's about my plan for medicine, they're still sorta upset that I didn't pursue law. :slap:
 
the island my dad grew up on still does not have electricity or running water
 
ok i've got a question

if my parents went to college in a foreign country (as in they were not born in the states, went to school in country they were born, then came to states as immigrants in adulthood) does that mean i'm not a first generation college student (note country is '3rd world/developing'?

its odd not thinking of myself as not first generation.. i didn't know squat about colleges till end of junior yr in high school (well, i wasn't born here either. and i didn't exactly grow up in the best of neighborhoods so college wasn't really spoken about)..
 
im a first generation college student as well. while i didnt have parental guidance in all this mess, SDN has steered me true
 
Not only am I a first generation college student, but I am also a first generation high school graduate. When times get tough in my classes (I can't decline a noun in Latin, my IR report doesn't match my other lab findings, three exams on a Friday afternoon) I sometimes think about how it could be so much easier to just give up. I mean my parents both make pretty good money and neither of them even finished high school. With that kind of example (sucess without higher education) there is somewhat less motivation for me to push. However, I must add that my parents are extremely proud of me. I have two older siblings who just barely graduated high school. Naturally, they gushed on their graduation days, and then when I graduated salutatorian they went nuts, and I just love to see how proud they are. Call me crazy, but that helps me. I love to see them wear their "Purdue Mom" and "Purdue Dad" sweatshirts and I just glow at family gatherings when people ask how I'm doing. So long story short: I'm the black sheep of my family (in a good way) and it's pretty good!
 
The difficulties I faced mainly just had to do with understanding how challenging it would be, as well as the consequences of not doing well.
It was always a talking point during interviews.
 
first here too, it was kind of difficult applying to college (i didnt really understood the difference between AA or a bachelors), i didnt even got the admission test thing, no wonder i got a 920 on the SAT. but at least i am proud to say that i am gonna be first college grad and potential med school grad. What makes me even happier is that my 2 sisters are in college too 😀 and i was able to help them along the way. It was difficult been the first but it feels really good to be able to help your family and advice them on the things that you went through.
 
armybound said:
The difficulties I faced mainly just had to do with understanding how challenging it would be, as well as the consequences of not doing well.
It was always a talking point during interviews.
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yeah, they always ask me that. i guess it kind of made me stand out. I really didnt think that been 1st gen was so uncommon.
 
armybound said:
I feel sorry for my kids then, if they want to go into medicine. Me = MD, wife = PhD.. not going to do them any favors.
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i think is more about the experiences, i mean my kids are going to have probably very different ones but i still want to show them were we (me and my future wife are both 1st generation immigrants) came from (geografical and economical sense). I have a friend whose dad is a doc and her mom a nurse and she had great experiences to talk about in her PS.
 
I am a first-generation college student, at least for my immediate family. And yes, this reality has influenced me into pursuing a career in medicine. I am driven to take advantage of every opportunity presented to me, and although this career path is difficult, I do have the ability and opportunity to make it a reality.
 
First generation college student here, and I am always worried about keeping a roof over my head. Moreso than even becoming a doctor. That's why I am already looking for housing options for next year...
 
I too am a first generation high school, college, graduate and (fingerscrossed) Medical school graduate to be.

I grew up "white trash" so to speak and education was not important, getting a job at 14 was.

So the effect on me has been that I do not want to turn out like my parents.
 
I was 4 when my mother and father and I immigrated here. I am the fist to make it past 2nd grade and the first to grad high school/college/other schooling and certs. School wasnt immportant to my family, well at least not as important as making the payments on the lights, the phone, the food, and a home. So I worked as soon as I hit 14. My parents have worked extremly hard and continue to do so to have what they have. My drive and ambition is fueled by the prospect of being able to provide for my eventual family in ways that my mother and father couldn't. I do want to have my kids cook for themselves because mom and dad are working 80+hr weeks and can't cook for them. Things have gotten better for my parents, but it wasnt until 2 or so years ago that I realized what I needed to do to get to where I want to be.
 
Out of curiosity, were your parents immigrants? I see this a lot with my immigrant friends. Their parents will work their butts off to give themselves opportunities that many American kids take for granted.
Click to expand...

one of my parents is an immigrant, the other isn't. the immigrant one tends to be tougher on me, thats for sure 😛 its just tough love tho. hey, i ended up being the only one from my graduating class of 700+ to go ivy league 😀
 
🙂
 
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Another one here. I'm a product of teen pregnancy! 😀 Life's been tough, but it could've been a lot worse. My mom cleaned up her act and quit doing drugs/partying when I started junior high and all of my failures since then have been 100% my fault, not hers, haha.
 
Both my parents are first gen college grads (like many families) and because of their hard work, I was afforded quite a few things education wise that other children did not have. This was one of the motivating factors for my journey into medicine. I want to be able to provide these things to my children one day.

I say this because I want to congratulate all you first gen grads out there. Because of your hard work, you will be able to provide your children with a lot of things (like tuition costs) that you probably didn't have growing up. Keep up the hard work.
 
Another 1st gen grad right here as well. Actually, I graduated about 2 weeks ago! My parents had to go to work straight out of HS unfortunately, despite being very qualified to go to college. They've been super supportive of me and my goals, despite the fact I had to convince them that going to medical school was a good idea, haha. They were convinced that there was no way for me to afford it (or them to help me pay for it, since my lil bro is going to college this year as well). I owe them a whole bunch for I am now!
 
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