First Generation College Student

[1956Goldtop]

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Hey all. I'm just trying to decide if I'm considered a first generation college graduate. One of my parents graduated from a foreign undergraduate school before immigrating to america but hasn't worked in the US. Also neither of my parents know jack squat about the whole college process in America. Thoughts?

 

[littlealex]

Well, one of your parents went through college, why would that make you a first generation college grad?

I mean, by your logic, almost every foreign student would be a first generation college graduate?

If my dad was a professor in France but had never worked in America and does not know anything about the process here, would you consider me a first generation college graduate?

 

[BigRedPremed]

Hey all. I'm just trying to decide if I'm considered a first generation college graduate. One of my parents graduated from a foreign undergraduate school before immigrating to america but hasn't worked in the US. Also neither of my parents know jack squat about the whole college process in America. Thoughts?

No, you are not a first-gen college graduate.

 

[LO281OK]

What an idiot! Here I thought I might read a post about someone who, like myself, was the first in his family to get a college degree. What do I find, some schmuck looking for semantic laud and honor... What next, are you gonna try to be the first med student from NY?

 

[1956Goldtop]

Well, one of your parents went through college, why would that make you a first generation college grad?

I mean, by your logic, almost every foreign student would be a first generation college graduate?

If my dad was a professor in France but had never worked in America and does not know anything about the process here, would you consider me a first generation college graduate?

This was why I was asking buddy. Calm yourself down dude.

 

[1956Goldtop]

not worth it.

 

[armybound]

keep the comments civil and constructive.

 

[scowdeva]

No, I don't think you qualify as first generation to go to college...I know this is something that I'm asked about at a lot of interviews, so I'm guessing that's where the wondering started.

Something else that has been differentiated in interviews is also that I am the first generation to attend college...not only have neither of my parents, but also no aunts/uncles even started college, let alone finished it. Adcoms seem really interested in this, like they are unaware that there are still poor people out there like that in America...

 

[riceman04]

What an idiot! Here I thought I might read a post about someone who, like myself, was the first in his family to get a college degree. What do I find, some schmuck looking for semantic laud and honor... What next, are you gonna try to be the first med student from NY?

Wondering if all that was really necessary

just curious

 

[nu2004]

my guess is you're filling out some kind of financial aid form? or just curious?

i can see why you'd be curious. i might be asking the same thing, especially since international degrees are not always recognized in the US, the period of study is often different, and some "university" degrees are purely vocational.

sorry you had to deal with the a-hole responses in this thread.

 

[LO281OK]

sorry you had to deal with the a-hole responses in this thread.

Oh, pity, pity the poor little fella trying to gain some advantage that is clearly not meant for him. Never mind his inability to abide by what is clearly the spirit of classifying oneself this way for financial aid or other reasons. Does being sick of people trying to gain unfair advantage make me an a-hole? Be satisfied with being the first in your family to go to med school. That is an accomplishment.

 

[mdgator]

Wait, is being a first generation college student something I should have brought up at interviews? I honestly never thought about it. I mean, I don't think that the fact that noone in my family has a degree made my biochem professors give me harder tests or anything...in fact, I think I had the exact same test as the guy next to me, and both his parents were cardiologists...I'd be lying if I said I feel disadvantaged, but if it will get me off the waitlist at Duke...

And did someone imply I might be able to knock a few thousand off tuition? Tell me how.

 

[BigRedPremed]

It'd be something to mention in one of those "what challenges have you had growing up" answers. But, if it didn't come to mind, then maybe the fact you're first gen didn't affect you that much.

 

[nu2004]

Oh, pity, pity the poor little fella trying to gain some advantage that is clearly not meant for him. Never mind his inability to abide by what is clearly the spirit of classifying oneself this way for financial aid or other reasons. Does being sick of people trying to gain unfair advantage make me an a-hole?

no, see, it's your tone that makes you an a-hole

 

[mdgator]

It'd be something to mention in one of those "what challenges have you had growing up" answers. But, if it didn't come to mind, then maybe the fact you're first gen didn't affect you that much.

No, I feel like having "uneducated" parents had very little impact on my success or lack thereof. If anything, going to a high school where only 5% or so graduate college, and therefore having a guidance counselor who is completely clueless regarding what it takes to get into medical school...so he tells me to be sure to go to a community college for the first two years...was a much bigger obstacle.
Oh, and the fact that I still have dial-up internet. But if I had brought that stuff up at an interview, I would definitely feel like I was basically just whining. Oh well...maybe someone at Duke or Wake Forest will not be able to resist how good looking I am, and they'll accept me anyway.

 

[LO281OK]

no, see, it's your tone that makes you an a-hole

Sorry I'm not predisposed to coddling the OP... I know it's not his fault... His parents must have failed him along with the education system, our country's leaders and the moderators of this board... It's not his fault he asked a silly question. I don't blame him... In fact, there are no stupid questions... right?

 

[iA-MD2013]

Sorry I'm not predisposed to coddling the OP... I know it's not his fault... His parents must have failed him along with the education system, our country's leaders and the moderators of this board... It's not his fault he asked a silly question. I don't blame him... In fact, there are no stupid questions... right?

i'm going to agree with everyone else and say you're an a-hole. stop being so mean.😡

 

[nu2004]

Sorry I'm not predisposed to coddling the OP... I know it's not his fault... His parents must have failed him along with the education system, our country's leaders and the moderators of this board... It's not his fault he asked a silly question. I don't blame him... In fact, there are no stupid questions... right?

I'm going to cut you some slack and impart some wisdom, here.

The OP's question was valid because - contrary to your own personal belief - the international education system is not simply an inferior analog of what we have here in the US. French universities do not simply hand their students a baguette, slap them on the behind and say, "Here's Your Bachelor of Wine! Good luck in zee US!" The international education system is a diverse and fairly complex system of educational organization schemata, and it varies broadly in the maturity of each schema. It may differ significantly enough that one of three things is true:

1) The US educational schema just patently rejects the validity of the degree or license. The OP's parents could have gotten their JD/MD/MBA from The International University of Dart and Spear-Making, but most reasonable people (and the educational powers here) would consider him a first-generation college graduate if he were getting his degree from Georgia Tech.

2) On the other hand, some educational institution's programs are recognized as valid here in the US, but not as rigorous as (or for fewer years than) the US program, and therefore require additional schooling here in the US to count as "college graduates." If this were the case for the OP, his parents could have come here and received no further education, and he would technically be the first college graduate in his family.

3) Finally, some degrees are purely vocational, and the educational system here in the US will recognize that because the parent's degree was not in, say, liberal arts, that the person can reasonably qualify as the first college graduate in his family.

So if you're going to be an ***, at least put the "smart" back in "smartass"

 

[nu2004]

to the OP: if your dad got his Baccalaureate Degree in English at Oxford, I'm going to e-slap you.

 

[devilpup]

I'm going to cut you some slack and impart some wisdom, here.

The OP's question was valid because - contrary to your own personal belief - the international education system is not simply an inferior analog of what we have here in the US. French universities do not simply hand their students a baguette, slap them on the behind and say, "Here's Your Bachelor of Wine! Good luck in zee US!" The international education system is a diverse and fairly complex system of educational organization schemata, and it varies broadly in the maturity of each schema. It may differ significantly enough that one of three things is true:

1) The US educational schema just patently rejects the validity of the degree or license. The OP's parents could have gotten their JD/MD/MBA from The International University of Dart and Spear-Making, but most reasonable people (and the educational powers here) would consider him a first-generation college graduate if he were getting his degree from Georgia Tech.

2) On the other hand, some educational institution's programs are recognized as valid here in the US, but not as rigorous as (or for fewer years than) the US program, and therefore require additional schooling here in the US to count as "college graduates." If this were the case for the OP, his parents could have come here and received no further education, and he would technically be the first college graduate in his family.

3) Finally, some degrees are purely vocational, and the educational system here in the US will recognize that because the parent's degree was not in, say, liberal arts, that the person can reasonably qualify as the first college graduate in his family.

So if you're going to be an ***, at least put the "smart" back in "smartass"

No one is questioning the validity of the OP's question. Simply put, first-generation college students are defined as those students whose parents have had no college or university experience- so the answer to the question in "no." I reckon LO281OK is apprehensive of applicants like the OP who might want to use the label 'first generation college student' to get an edge in the application process. If this is the case, I feel the OP is being dishonest. You are correct in your two points, but regardless of their foreign educational system, one of the OP's parents has a college degree. BTW, congrats to the OP for being accepted.

 

[1956Goldtop]

to answer your question, my dad did not graduate from oxford and in fact he did not graduate HS