Are First Generation University/College students accepted differently?
Being First Generation is more of an institution designation, and qualifies you for extra things like preferred advisement, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, those sorts of things since your parents may not be able to relate or offer support for your college experience because they truly do not know the challenges you face as a college student. Also, some states (like that state where I live, Florida) offers additional scholarship opportunities for first generation students, perhaps your state or potential college offers something like this to.
If you’re asking if you won’t be as highly regarded as second, third, and fourth generation university/college students, then no, that won’t happen. The admissions committee will take it into consideration, but not negatively. First generation students are very highly regarded; it’s a good thing to be one. Like someone else mentioned, it also makes you more eligible for scholarships, as First Gen is a big focus to many scholarship providers. That being said, First Gen isn’t going to set you head and shoulders above as far as admissions go. Even if you have stellar grades. It will be considered and they’ll see that positively, but it won’t make you a shoo-in or get you preferential treatment/consideration. Good luck!
If there are two applicants with very similar qualifications, but one is a first generation college student and the other is not, the preference would be for the first-generation student. However, you won’t get in just because you are a first generation student if others have higher grades, scores, or extracurriculars than you do.
