For first generation students, the journey to apply to college is a crazy journey of bravery, uncertainty, and perseverance. While their friends might have parents who guide them through the process of SAT prep, FAFSA forms, college tours, etc.- first generation students may very well be travelling this road all alone, or worse, feeling behind. They are the first in their families to go to college. While this is a point of pride, it also carries an overwhelming pressure. The original college application process looks like a foreign language they are learning without a translator either.
While first-generation students don't just get through the application process, they often become some of the most tenacious, inventive, and distinctive students on their campuses. This toolkit is for first-gen students and should help erase the myths and mystery of applying and working through the process itself. Whether you are filling out financial aid forms, looking for schools, or writing your personal essay, this toolkit is made for you. Because this goes beyond simply applying to a college - it is about claiming your place in a world that wasn't made for you, but that needs your voice. Now let’s dig in.
1. Start With Research and Build Your College List
Without family members who’ve been through the process, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about where to even apply. Begin with research. Look at colleges that support first-gen students through mentorship programs, generous financial aid, and dedicated academic advising. Some schools openly celebrate first-gen identities and invest in resources that help you succeed from day one.
Create a list of reach schools, match schools, and safety schools. Take into consideration the graduation rates, the first-gen networks of support, diversity, academic strengths, and scholarship options. Look beyond just the brand names. Also, consider schools that are out of state and are less known. Many of these schools provide more support and funding than you'd think. Make your list as broad as you can, and your aspirations as high.
2. Understand the Application Components Early
The quicker you know what is expected of you, the better the process will go. Most application processes include, if required, standardized test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, generally a personal statement, and sometimes additional supplemental essay questions. For first-gen students, sometimes knowing what to even ask for (i.e., if you need to request a transcript, or write a college resume, etc.) can be an entirely new experience.
Break each of these components into manageable steps. Make lists for deadlines, teacher recommendation requests, essays, and drafts. Use free college prep resources that are offered through nonprofits or schools. If your school does not have a counselor who is familiar with the process, search for online advising programs or contact local nonprofits who support first-gen students. Organization will definitely be your best friend.
3. Ask for Help (Even if It Feels Awkward)
It's normal for first-generation students to feel alone in everything, asking for help is actually a strength, not a weakness. Teachers, counselors, neighbors, older friends, and even college admissions advisers are often more than happy to help you out, you just have to ask. You are not bothering them. You are giving them the chance to help you on your journey.
Practice asking more specific questions. Instead of asking, "Can you help me with college?" ask "Can you help me with my essay?" or "Do you know how to get a fee waiver?" The more specific the question, the more useful their support will be. Most students are shocked when they find out how excited people are to help them succeed, especially when they know you are the first in your family to do this.
4. Take Advantage of Fee Waivers and Free Resources
The primary obstruction to college access is cost, beginning with application fees. But did you know that most first-gen students qualify for application fee waivers, SAT/ACT waiver and help with financial aid? If you're on free or reduced lunch, then there is a good chance you're eligible for these waivers too.
Asking for waivers can be somewhat scary at first, but this is a process. You can ask your counselor to help you complete the fee waiver forms, or use the built-in fee waiver requests on sites like Common App. You can use resources like Khan Academy to learn test preparation, YouTube for academic essay examples, and find free nonprofits that connect students with mentors and/or advisors. Help is available in abundance, you just need to plug into the whole system.
5. Craft a Powerful and Honest Personal Essay
Your narrative matters, you're a first-gen student! Your personal statement is not merely a homework assignment, it's your chance to shed light on yourself beyond numbers. Colleges don't care about a perfect GPA, but instead they care about a person who is ready to go to college, filled with the potential, passion, and resilience to succeed, which first-gen students usually have plenty of!
Do not be afraid to be genuine. Talk about your family and upbringing, your struggles, your successes, your hopes and dreams, etc. Do not fake it. Do not mis-represent yourself and do not impersonate someone else. You will stand out because admissions officers read thousands and thousands of essays and when you are genuine and honest, you will be different.
You could request that a teacher or a friend read your essay and offer suggestions, but make sure that your voice is properly articulated in the writing. You have a compelling personal narrative, be your own author.
6. Understand and Apply for Financial Aid
FAFSA. CSS Profile. Grants. Loans. Scholarships. It can all feel daunting at first, and learning this whole new language is essential. You should start with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as it opens. Even if your income from your family is small, filling out the FAFSA will open a lot of doors for grants and work to study opportunities.
If your schools require the CSS Profile, tackle that next. The CSS Profile is in-depth, but conditional aid depends on filling these out. Many of the private colleges offer better aid—often way better said—than public schools (if you are low income or a first-gen) as institutional aid is based on more discretion. Some colleges will have alternative scholarship applications, research "out of the blue" scholarships earlier for example, there are thousands of dollars out there for students just like you. You also want to make a spreadsheet of deadlines and notes and remember: every dollar counts ....
7. Highlight Your First-Gen Identity in Your Application
Being a first-generation student is not a drawback , it's a badge of honor. Admissions offices understand that first-gen students possess unique challenges and strengths in their educational journey. If you explain this clearly in your application, you will provide vital context and help colleges understand your accomplishments fully.
You can emphasize your identity in various ways: including in your essay, in the demographics section of your Common App, and in interviews, too. You may want to add how your experience has reshaped your goals, your resiliency, and your point of view. Your story is not a downside, rather, it portrays initiative, independence, and resolve , all things colleges applaud.
8. Build a Support System Before You Get There
Applying to college is just the tip of the iceberg. After prevailing in the admission process, you can begin preparations for your transition. Most colleges have a first-gen program, offer orientation events or activities, have mentoring circles, or some combination of the three to help you transition into your next chapter. Make sure to look for one or more of these programs as soon as you are accepted: they can help with everything from registering for your courses to trying to find a job on-campus if you need to.
It's also a good idea to find current students, especially current first-gen students, because they can provide you information about what it is really like and also what some of the unwritten stuff is that you can expect. If you begin your networking to establish your support network early, you will not show up to campus without any connections and will feel more informed and ahead of the game.
9. Trust That You Belong, Because You Do
Impostor syndrome is real for first-gen students. You may have questions such as, "Do I really belong?", "Am I good enough for this?" or you may think, "What if I mess this all up?" Straight talk: you do belong. You worked hard, you demonstrated resilience, and you infused your self-belief even when you didn't have a support system like so many others.
Colleges are looking for students and thinkers like you. You have fresh ideas and perspectives to share, and you offer strength from overcoming real challenges. When you doubt your ability to "fit in", don't forget the leaps that you've already made so far in your educational journey. Your journey began long before you applied to college. You effectively changed your family's story. And you are not done yet.
10. Celebrate Every Milestone
If this is your first real process, it may feel overwhelming. But remember to celebrate. Every form you submitted, every essay you wrote, every offer of admission you received - it all counts. You aren't just ticking off boxes. You are making history in your family.
Share the successes with friends and family, even if they don't understand what that means. Let them be part of the fun of it. And don’t forget to celebrate yourself. You can keep a journal, or make a collage, or take time to reflect. There are new challenges coming ahead of you - but for now, feel good about how far you have come.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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