whats unique about first generation college students?

[Status Sciaticus]

So most of the searches on SDN talk mainly about the fact that some preference is given to FGCS but not particularly about what is unique about them.

The only thing I found was LizzyM mentioning that their opinions are valued on small discussions/rounds.

I obviously am one since both my parents have a high school diploma from third world countries. Recently, we also went from being middle class to something in the lower class ( parents filed for business bankruptcy). So obviously there are financial hardships. and the fact that my parents dont have connections with doctors/professionals that aided me in anyway.

I just wanted to see what other areas I could talk about without seeming to guilt-trip adcoms or bring out a sob story.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[UTKpreMD]

It is assumed that FGCS have to work harder to achieve the same success as those who group up with parents that have say PhDs/MDs and have raised their children in an academically stimulating environment. I don't think its a huge advantage, but it's definitely something to mention in your personal statement about how you've worked to become successful and be the first in your family to go to college. I'd say it's definitely a benefit for URMs since ADCOMs want to promote diversity of race and class.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

It is assumed that FGCS have to work harder to achieve the same success as those who group up with parents that have say PhDs/MDs and have raised their children in an academically stimulating environment. I don't think its a huge advantage, but it's definitely something to mention in your personal statement about how you've worked to become successful and be the first in your family to go to college. I'd say it's definitely a benefit for URMs since ADCOMs want to promote diversity of race and class.

Im asian indian so I cant claim URM. I didnt include it originally in my PS because I thought I might put it in the secondaries and the optional TMDSAS essay.

I was told that saying that I wanted help my family with upward mobility and progress our socioeconomic standing in the progressive world was not a good enough reason. However, I thought that wanting to be successful and have a prestigious career is a great sense of accomplishment despite hardship. But then that might seem selfish...

 

[UTKpreMD]

Im asian indian so I cant claim URM. I didnt include it originally in my PS because I thought I might put it in the secondaries and the optional TMDSAS essay.

I was told that saying that I wanted help my family with upward mobility and progress our socioeconomic standing in the progressive world was not a good enough reason. However, I thought that wanting to be successful and have a prestigious career is a great sense of accomplishment despite hardship. But then that might seem selfish...

I mean I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, but a sentence or two stating that you aspire to higher learning and have worked hard to become the first in your family to get where you are today doesn't seem unreasonable. I wouldn't mention striving to achieve a higher socioeconomic standing just because it sounds like you're in it for the money. I would say that ADCOMs like to see progress within a family though, and you versus a student with the same stats but a background of higher education may put you on top by a bit. They expect to see good scores from students with highly educated parents.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I mean I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, but a sentence or two stating that you aspire to higher learning and have worked hard to become the first in your family to get where you are today doesn't seem unreasonable. I wouldn't mention striving to achieve a higher socioeconomic standing just because it sounds like you're in it for the money. I would say that ADCOMs like to see progress within a family though, and you versus a student with the same stats but a background of higher education may put you on top by a bit. They expect to see good scores from students with highly educated parents.

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully others can chime in on this as well.

 

[Wipeout416]

My parents were farmers so I tied it into how their work ethic inspired me to pursue college and now med school... not really sure what the best way it is either. I do know the amcas/aacomas transcript has your parents/guardians highest level of schooling on it though

 

[prado]

OP, if you really can't find something to write about with respect to your first-generation college student status, then maybe it didn't have that big of an influence on you; so why write about it? It's akin to someone planning to go to medical school and their grandma dies a year before they apply, and then they come here asking how they should list their grandma's death in their PS. If it didn't play a big role in your life/path to medical school, then don't write about it. Forcing it will only bring about what you're afraid of, self-pity. There will be options to list your parents' education and siblings which will basically inform the adcom of your fgcg status, so just stop there and write about something else that actually has meaning to you.

 

[survivordo]

Things like this are all about how you represent them. I wouldn't make a huge deal about it and don't think many ADCOMs will either but I would suggest subtly working it into your personal statement. All it takes to get into medical school is one member of the ADCOM really pulling for you, if your personal story can help pull at their heart strings and get them on your side than I think it should definitely be included!

Survivor DO

 

[Status Sciaticus]

OP, if you really can't find something to write about with respect to your first-generation college student status, then maybe it didn't have that big of an influence on you; so why write about it? It's akin to someone planning to go to medical school and their grandma dies a year before they apply, and then they come here asking how they should list their grandma's death in their PS. If it didn't play a big role in your life/path to medical school, then don't write about it. Forcing it will only bring about what you're afraid of, self-pity. There will be options to list your parents' education and siblings which will basically inform the adcom of your fgcg status, so just stop there and write about something else that actually has meaning to you.

thanks for your opinion. If you look closely, the reason I asked about this topic is to see if using that FGCS didnt seem like guilt tripping adcoms. It has played some part in how I've been brought up. I just didnt want to seem like a guy who was using it to get an interview invite.

Things like this are all about how you represent them. I wouldn't make a huge deal about it and don't think many ADCOMs will either but I would suggest subtly working it into your personal statement. All it takes to get into medical school is one member of the ADCOM really pulling for you, if your personal story can help pull at their heart strings and get them on your side than I think it should definitely be included!

Survivor DO

Im thinking of just putting one or two lines in the conclusion about it so its not that big of a deal.

 

[Aerus]

Like others have said, being a First Generation College Student means you had a harder time getting to where you are than someone with parents who are college level educated or beyond. It means you had to figure things out yourself with little or none connections.

Also, many first generation college students tend to come from modest beginnings. Perhaps they may have a desire to serve populations from similar socioeconomic backgrounds?

There's really a whole lot to this. It just depends on the person.

 

[lobo.solo]

Like others have said, being a First Generation College Student means you had a harder time getting to where you are than someone with parents who are college level educated or beyond. It means you had to figure things out yourself with little or none connections.

Also, many first generation college students tend to come from modest beginnings. Perhaps they may have a desire to serve populations from similar socioeconomic backgrounds?

There's really a whole lot to this. It just depends on the person.

This ^ it's hard to navigate the system. Also since you are the first one in your family, there is a component of self-doubt.

 

[TheShaker]

My family was the typical low income immigrant family without education. I didn't mention it in my PS since it didn't have much to do with my path to medicine but I did write about it in secondaries (which I think is more appropriate). Most secondaries have a space that lets you talk about whatever you feel can be added to your application outside of AMCAS and I think this is a good talking point for those essays.

I won't pretend to have great interviewing success but you don't have to make it a sob story, just state it in a way that makes it a strength like how LizzyM describes.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I always think in terms of the devils advocate.

The person reading my app could say, even though this person (myself) had no connections through family or friends, or knowledge of the application process, or came from a modest background they had the opportunity in college or the internet to research all that stuff... How would i counter that question?


I do feel as if there was always some doubt about if I did things the right way.. but I didnt have anyone in my family to guide me on the whole process of what college was going to be like or have parents who understood the demands of college etc...

I do plan on taking some time off during my career as a physician to practice free medicine (such as doing free surgeries for children in 3rd world countries) but I hear that adcoms are less sympathetic to students wanting to leave the U.S. or the state that the school is located in.

 

[Nissan GTR]

If my parent did not go to college and are from foreign countries, and I have an older sibling who went to college before me, am I still considered first generation to go to college?

 

[einstein1990]

For me, it's simply that I got where I am by hard work and perseverance alone. And the fact that I've never had any external pressures put on me to do well. My parents didn't force me to go to college, let alone pursue medicine - it was always my choice. They never cared whether I got a C or an A. They were supportive, but other than that, they played no major role in getting me where I am. I'm much more internally motivated than externally. I chose medicine because I love it, because I find it rewarding and I WANT to learn. Additionally, I think that plays a significant role in whether or not someone burns out in this field.

 

[Lamel]

This ^ it's hard to navigate the system. Also since you are the first one in your family, there is a component of self-doubt.

I mean, with that description I would be a first generation college student. With modest beginnings, figuring everything out on my own with no real help. I am however a first generation AMERICAN college student.

Even though both my parents have BAs (from a foreign country with a completely different system), I received no real guidance from them, apart from motivation.

 

[prado]

If my parent did not go to college and are from foreign countries, and I have an older sibling who went to college before me, am I still considered first generation to go to college?

Yes, your generation consists of you and all of your siblings. While you may not have the title of "first in my family to go to college", you're still considered a first generation college student.

 

[Aerus]

I always think in terms of the devils advocate.

The person reading my app could say, even though this person (myself) had no connections through family or friends, or knowledge of the application process, or came from a modest background they had the opportunity in college or the internet to research all that stuff... How would i counter that question?

There's no reason why they would ask such a question. You got that research position because you worked hard and were intrinsically motivated enough to seek out these opportunities without parental connections or advice.

If my parent did not go to college and are from foreign countries, and I have an older sibling who went to college before me, am I still considered first generation to go to college?

Yes, you're still part of the same generation. Perhaps being a first generation college student wasn't as difficult for you because you had a mentor help you through the process, but there are other factors that might have affected you, such as the perspective of coming from humble roots.

I mean, with that description I would be a first generation college student. With modest beginnings, figuring everything out on my own with no real help. I am however a first generation AMERICAN college student.

Even though both my parents have BAs (from a foreign country with a completely different system), I received no real guidance from them, apart from motivation.

It's quite different for first generation college students, which goes beyond applying for schools.

Statistics show (I don't have them on me but I can probably find them) that students whose parents did not go to college are less likely to graduate from college or even attend college. These statistics aren't coincidence.

Not only are there less resources to succeed in college and less knowledge of how to succeed in college (which applies to you), there is less motivation to succeed in college when your parents haven't been to college yet were successful enough to live to today and support you.

For me, my parents were my role models. Growing up, I was under the impression that they could do everything because of how hard they worked and knew so much through life experience. They were a success in my eyes.

Graduating from high school and going to college was sort of like....transcending into new territory and surpassing them, which was a very scary experience. Not only was I nervous to go to college because they did not, part of me felt like I didn't need to go because they got so far without college.

 

[Lollygag]

for me, it's simply that i got where i am by hard work and perseverance alone. And the fact that i've never had any external pressures put on me to do well. My parents didn't force me to go to college, let alone pursue medicine - it was always my choice. They never cared whether i got a c or an a. They were supportive, but other than that, they played no major role in getting me where i am. I'm much more internally motivated than externally. I chose medicine because i love it, because i find it rewarding and i want to learn. Additionally, i think that plays a significant role in whether or not someone burns out in this field.

+1

 

[Doctor Strange]

For me, it's simply that I got where I am by hard work and perseverance alone. And the fact that I've never had any external pressures put on me to do well. My parents didn't force me to go to college, let alone pursue medicine - it was always my choice. They never cared whether I got a C or an A. They were supportive, but other than that, they played no major role in getting me where I am. I'm much more internally motivated than externally. I chose medicine because I love it, because I find it rewarding and I WANT to learn. Additionally, I think that plays a significant role in whether or not someone burns out in this field.

+1

Although I never indicated it on AMCAS or anywhere on any secondaries, I think some schools were under the impression that I am a "disadvantaged student" simply because both my parents on immigrants who dropped out of high school.

As such, like others have said, they had and still have NO CLUE what is going on with my academics or my planning for the future. Sure, they have a vague idea, but they don't really have that first-hand experience that I think a lot of other parents have the advantage of having. All they can really say is that they're proud of me, and they will try to support my efforts as best as they can.

I don't know if this is the case for you, but because of my parents' education level, they work hourly wage jobs, so, growing up, I saw (and am still seeing) how hard they have to work in order to provide for our family. I think it's a unique experience that someone growing up in a family of doctors doesn't quite understand.

EDIT: As an n=1 experience, one of the interviewers I had very much wanted to emphasize that I was a first generation, saying specifically that "we need more students like you that know what it's like." I just sort of smiled nicely and nodded my head.

 

[EnergyDrink]

I'm a first in my family. My dad and older brother both dropped out of high school.

Didn't help me in the application process as far as I know. URMs with my stats got waaaay more love.

 

[VitaminVater]

Just for clarification, FGCS doesn't apply if your parents went to college in a different country(south america) right? Counselors always give me conflicting advice so I'm at a loss right now.

Edit: Got my answer from GandalfTheWhite, thanks!

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I mean, with that description I would be a first generation college student. With modest beginnings, figuring everything out on my own with no real help. I am however a first generation AMERICAN college student.

Even though both my parents have BAs (from a foreign country with a completely different system), I received no real guidance from them, apart from motivation.

FGCS means that no one in your family has previously graduated from college. As both your parents have, you wouldnt be able to claim being FGCS. However since you did have to find your own way, you could mention it as overcoming hardships.

For me, it's simply that I got where I am by hard work and perseverance alone. And the fact that I've never had any external pressures put on me to do well. My parents didn't force me to go to college, let alone pursue medicine - it was always my choice. They never cared whether I got a C or an A. They were supportive, but other than that, they played no major role in getting me where I am. I'm much more internally motivated than externally. I chose medicine because I love it, because I find it rewarding and I WANT to learn. Additionally, I think that plays a significant role in whether or not someone burns out in this field.

+1

 

[einstein1990]

+1

Although I never indicated it on AMCAS or anywhere on any secondaries, I think some schools were under the impression that I am a "disadvantaged student" simply because both my parents on immigrants who dropped out of high school.

As such, like others have said, they had and still have NO CLUE what is going on with my academics or my planning for the future. Sure, they have a vague idea, but they don't really have that first-hand experience that I think a lot of other parents have the advantage of having. All they can really say is that they're proud of me, and they will try to support my efforts as best as they can.

I don't know if this is the case for you, but because of my parents' education level, they work hourly wage jobs, so, growing up, I saw (and am still seeing) how hard they have to work in order to provide for our family. I think it's a unique experience that someone growing up in a family of doctors doesn't quite understand.

EDIT: As an n=1 experience, one of the interviewers I had very much wanted to emphasize that I was a first generation, saying specifically that "we need more students like you that know what it's like." I just sort of smiled nicely and nodded my head.

Agreed. I would never classify myself as disadvantaged; I didn't mark that on AMCAS. I briefly mentioned it (being a first gen) in my personal statement and secondaries, but not as a sob story. My parents have worked very hard in blue collar jobs and their work ethic is both commendable and inspiring, but they faced obvious limitations due to their education, or lack thereof. Simply put, I have a unique perspective because of this. THAT'S what I talked about.

 

[einstein1990]

My advice is if you're a FGCS and can't figure out why it's significant, don't talk about it. It shouldn't be something you play up for attention if you've never thought twice about it.