10 Tips for First-Generation College Students
Prepare, be accepted and graduate!
In a previous life, I worked in college advising and freshman programs. My particular area of focus was helping first-generation college students. I’m working “farther upstream” by teaching K-5 special education now, but college preparation for first-generation students is still very close to my heart.
Long story short, while I talk with my younger students about their visions for their futures, my skills in college advising often go unused. All the more reason I was ready and willing to help my older son prepare to apply for college…. except… he can’t hear it from mom. So I told him I would write down the most salient points, and let him steer his own ship.
Once I had finished writing these tips, I decided to share them. They may be helpful to other young people, especially first-generation college students whose families may not be familiar with how to approach the college process. So here are some college tips:
*Before you sign up for the ACT/SAT, you’ll need to select which colleges will receive your scores. Do this by spending time on www.collegeboard.org, your state’s college guide website, and on individual college websites. You’ll need to research different colleges, including what they offer and their admission requirements. You should try to visit the campuses for your top choices, but if that is not possible, then at least call them and talk with an admissions officer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you are not sure whether you meet their admissions standards.
*From there, make a list of five or six schools. The list should include two “safety schools” (schools you are 100% confident you can get into), two “mid-range”(schools you are reasonably confident your can get into) and one or two “reach” colleges (schools you really like that are a bit of a stretch based on your current GPA and scores).
*If you are a NC resident you can attend a “We Promise” college for about 10% of the tuition of many other UNC schools. NC “We Promise ” schools with $500/semester tuition are: UNC Pembroke, Elizabeth City State U., and Western Carolina U.
*Remember that tuition is only one part of your total “cost of attendance.” Your cost of attendance per semester includes tuition, fees, books, health insurance, housing and food. It doesn’t cover travel/clothing/eating out etc. so your actual expenses will be higher.
*If you took community college courses while in high school and will have at least a year of college credit going in, you may want to apply as a transfer student instead of as a freshman. There are advantages to each approach. In general, there is more scholarship money available to freshmen, but it is easier to get admitted as a transfer student than as a freshman. If your ACT/SAT scores are not strong you may have better odds as a transfer student. Talk to the admissions offices at the colleges that interest you. Ultimately, the freshman/transfer channel should not make a lot of difference to your college experience. It is just the label you come in under.
*In general, it is also often easier to get in during a summer session or spring semester, but make sure you talk with the admissions office whether you can be admitted and enroll at those times. Again, this does not change your status and experience as a student. It’s just a numbers game.
*Private colleges are more expensive than state schools, but often they will offer you a bigger aid package. My advice is: Apply where you really want to go and where you think you can be accepted, and work on the financial aspect after you have your acceptance letters. If you are a really strong student you may even be able to get one college to match another’s financial aid package.
*Work to find scholarship programs that won’t have hundreds or thousands of applicants. Private companies (such as your or a parent’s employer), houses of worship and alumni groups often have scholarship programs.
*If your family’s income is below certain guidelines you can obtain a Pell grant and/or subsidized loans for college, but be careful with the loans. Try to avoid or minimize debt, and look realistically at the income you may earn in an entry level job in your field. Compare this to the cost of obtaining your degree at various colleges to get a better idea of how to proceed. In my opinion, the maximum the debt you take on should be no more than the equivalent of one year of a starting salary in your field. Preferably, however, you will take on no debt or little debt
*Enjoy your college experience by getting involved with something that matters to you. Don’t spread yourself too thin, especially in your first year when you are adjusting to the demands of college courses, but do find something. It could be a club, music group, sport, or volunteer activity, but find something that feeds your spirit and gives you valuable life experience.
