Are you Ready to Become the First College Student in your Family?

Dear First Gen,

Are you interested in applying to college? Are you the first person in your family to pursue a #collegeeducation? Are you scratching your head and thinking, “Where do I begin?”

I get it—and I’ve been there. Here are a few things to consider as you get started on your search:

1. Make campus visits a priority. Every school looks like a good choice from their brochure or website. Remember those are marketing materials: Of course the students are going to look happy, the facilities will appear to be updated, and the professors will seem friendly. I suggest you look beyond the aesthetics and get some stats such as the make-up of the student body, class size, athletics, extracurricular activities, housing, multicultural opportunities, mentorship with upperclassmen, and even a first-generation program. I also recommend visiting a college in person, because there is just something about that feeling you get when you see it for yourself to tell you whether it’s truly an option for you.
2. Look into scholarships. Most college students will receive some kind of financial help when they apply to college, but it may not cover all of your tuition, fees, and expenses. To supplement the financial need award you may receive, inquire with a legislator’s office on the local, state, or federal levels to see what else may be available for you. They often have funds that they are required to offer to residents of a particular state. In Maryland, for example, www.mdelect.net is a good place to start and find out who represents you and the scholarship application requirements. You may also want to inquire further with your university to learn about grants specifically offered by them. The internet can be a great resource for finding scholarships specific to your major, and you may even have your parents ask their employers if they offer scholarships.
3. Keep track of deadlines. Keep a calendar or list of the various deadlines for each of your applications. Many colleges offer early decision application options, and those will have different deadlines from the general application. There will also be deadlines for merit and honors programs and financial aid. Make sure you do not miss the deadlines, and plan ahead, because some may require recommendation letters, transcripts, or test results.
4. Gather and submit your applications. Make sure you get all the parts of your application together. Generally, colleges and universities will ask you for your entrance exam results, a personal statement, and your financial aid info. To make sure you have everything, get in touch with your admissions counselor. They know what you are required to submit and will be your biggest advocate!
5. Think about your additional needs. What we've already talked about is what you most likely should expect and prepare for, but every person and school is different and you may have different circumstances. Will you need more funding? Speak to the admissions counselor to see if there is additional funding that was not accepted by another applicant. Or you may be having a hard time choosing between to schools. Do you need to go on another campus visit? Many First Gens have parents who are not familiar with applying to college, so you can ask the school to connect you with a representative who may specialize in walking parents through the process. You’ll, of course, want to think about the academics available as well. If you're interested in a dual major, is that available? Or if you’re headed for a certain profession, does the school have a pre-professional advisor or counselor in that major?

These questions will be a good start to help you brainstorm and to create your must-have list for the college or university you ultimately matriculate into. Best of luck!

Fellow Riser,

Irnande

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