First GenerationAnswered
So, I am in the U.S. and when I plan to apply for college am I considered first-gen if my parents studied in college but in India? This is mainly for the UC schools that I am asking for. When I searched up first-gen for UCLA, it said if your parents didn't have a U.S. degree, you're still considered first-generation. Could someone give me more information on this?
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Hi @Nikhilesh This is an excellent question.
Okay so here's the deal. Every college and university system in the US has their own definition of what First Generation means.
Here are some of the interpretations:
1. UC Schools - First generation means neither of your parents graduated with a 4 year US undergraduate degree (Bachelors).
2. At USC, they define first-generation students as those whose parents do not have four-year degrees. Even if you have older siblings who are currently attending or have graduated from college, you are considered part of the first generation to enroll in, and eventually complete, college.
3. And at Brown University which is an Ivy League, First Gen takes on a very flexible definition which is self identifying.
The formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. At Brown, we think of it more as any student who may self-identify as not having prior exposure to or knowledge of navigating higher institutions such as Brown and may need additional resources. For example, if a parent attended a four-year college in a different educational system outside of the United States; if a student has only had close contact to people with minimal college experience; if a student and/or parent feel that they are unfamiliar with college culture at Brown-- these are diverse ways in which students might identify with the first-generation identity.
So what they are saying at Brown is that even if your parents attended college in India, that still might not give you the tools and experiences to properly navigate and transition into an Ivy League school. Let's face it. Colleges in India are no the same as Ivy League institutions. So Brown is saying, you decide how you want to self - identify. It's like a pro-noun okay. If you want to be a She / Hers be a she hers, others be a She / They. It's your college experience so if you need more support and need, ask for it.
Good luck.
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I believe for most cases, no, you will not be considered a first-gen college student; colleges typically define first-gen students as students with parents who didn't complete a 4 (or 6) year college program after high school. Some schools do consider students with immigrant parents/parents who have completed college in another country as first-gen. I would recommend you go to the websites of schools you're considering or inquiring students of these schools as it really depends..