First-Generation Applicants

[novacancy]

Hi everyone!

 

Somewhere on this forum, I found an excellent thread for first-generation applicants to speak of their struggles and accomplishments during and after the graduate school application process. I thought it was an excellent thread, but the last post was from 2009, so I thought I'd recreate one! I think this could serve as a great support system for us, though I'm certainly not opposed to non-first-generation applicants joining in on discussion! I've found that I often feel alone in my pursuit of higher (and higher!) education since most of my friends in high school and in college were not the first in their families to attend.

 

Some questions to get discussion going:

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

(Feel free to add more!)

[novacancy]

I'll start!

1) I'm the first in my family to obtain a college degree and to seek graduate-level education.

 

2) My (single) mother attended only a semester of college in her home country and was generally unable to provide me with any guidance while I was applying to college in high school. Don't get me wrong--she was very supportive, but I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I only applied to one school, and I got in, so I went there. BIG MISTAKE. It was a terrible experience. I ended up spending the first three years of my undergraduate studies trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Luckily, I "found myself" in year three, and transferred to a new school for year four. I worked hard to become a competitive PhD applicant--something I decided I wanted to pursue during my fourth and fifth years of school--but I am still very doubtful of myself. Again, I feel somewhat lost during the graduate application process, and this time I have no parental support; my mother has NO IDEA what graduate studies are or what anthropology/archaeology is or why I'm applying to schools all over the country or how big of a deal this is.

 

3) I felt that I pulled together some semblance of an aspiring academic during the last two years of my undergraduate studies. Research, fieldwork, volunteer work, non-profit job, pulled up my GPA, etc. I hope it's enough!

 

4) A. My husband has been so supportive of me! He is just now seeking a bachelor's degree (late 20s) but has been an excellent dude, all around.

B. My previous professors. Though I graduated last year, I've stayed in contact with a few, and they've been incredibly helpful with my applications.

C. Finally finding something I'm passionate about.

Edited December 10, 2013 by xstopfloating

[meowth]

My parents were both community college drop-outs (so their highest education is high school), so I'm the first to go to college for more than a year, actually graduate with a degree, and now applying to graduate school.

 

Even in high school my parents couldn't really help me with anything beyond basic encouragement because they didn't really know most of stuff I was doing, and they were even more lost trying to understand what I did in college! They're both good in their fields (civil engineering and computer programming respectively) but they've worked up the ladder for a long time (from soil tester and secretary respectively) and that's different than learning the stuff at a university. But, I also think they might've been some of the last of a generation actually able to work their way up without a college degree, and if they ever lost their jobs at their companies, I'm not sure they'd be able to get back into the workforce very easily despite so many years of experience. It's just different. I'm lucky to say I don't think I've struggled very much; it probably helps that I'm white, U.S.-born, my parents were also U.S.-born, etc.

 

I'm doing fine... graduated summa cum laude, found fields that I love, applying to graduate school.

 

Even though my parents didn't got to college, they always expected me to, so that really helped! Yet they also never told me I had to do one thing or another. Like, even if I hadn't gone to college they probably would've been okay (but I was always did well in school so that probably would've surprised them). I've been pretty self-motivated and I liked being given pretty much free reign and very few expectations. They were a little worried that I'm taking a year off post-graduation and working crappy jobs while applying to graduate school, but now that I've been doing fine with that I think they're less worried.

 

I'm still surprised when I hear people talking about their parents going to college, graduate school, sometimes even in the same fields! It's hard to imagine.

Edited December 10, 2013 by meowth

[novacancy]

But, I also think they might've been some of the last of a generation actually able to work their way up with a college degree, and if they ever lost their jobs at their companies, I'm not sure they'd be able to get back into the workforce very easily despite so many years of experience.

 

I was JUST talking about this with my husband and his family, all but one of whom are just high school graduates with steady careers.

 

My father-in-law eventually got a bachelor's degree in his late 20s/early 30s after his employer offered to pay for all four years of full-time coursework. By today's standards, that's mind-blowing.

[Loric]

1. My mother was the first woman accepted into a prestigious all male school for engineering back in the day. She was also nearly expelled for refusing to stand up for the pledge of allegiance in high school, and that did in fact cost her the title of valedictorian. She only breifly attended college from what I understand - dropping out to work as a photographer and editor for a sewing magazine before getting married and having kids (including me.) Father was a firefighter and then a police officer - at one point a detective for "violent crimes" and "special victims" (yes that department actually exists.)  My older sister was some named rank in high school - saluditorian? - and was off to college with a full ride but for whatever reason quit. I think she hated organic chemistry - she had wanted to be a forensic anthropologist. She teaches middle school science now. My other sister had a brief stint in design school. I'm the first to get my BA and the only one to ever even apply to graduate school (attended, dropped out, trying for a new program now.)

 

2. Lack of family support, and lack of funding since no one works a terribly well paying job. I went to college on my own, found funding on my own, etc.. there was no teary moment of getting dropped off at campus dorms for the first time and getting care packages. Nope, I commuted from home to Major U nearby and had a job for most of my undergrad (until upper level when the department started paying me to hang around.) No one cared about my grades, no one made sure I got to anything on time, no one ever even asked how I was doing. It was all on my own and many times I was asked if it was worth it or if it would really help my job prospects or career. "You could take that management promotion work offered you and drop out, it might be for the best..."

 

3. I was accepted and funded previously, hoping to do so again.

 

4. Will power.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Loric

[ffg]

1) Both of my parents have their high school diplomas. Neither of them went to college. They both came to America in their early 20s to start a family and a business. My older brother attend a community college for about a year or two before I graduated high school. He ended up stopping for a few years and is just now going back to school. I am the first in my family to graduate with a Bachelor's degree.

 

2) Most of my family members didn't really understand the stress that I faced while I was in college. They did not understand why I was studying if I never had homework. I wasn't allowed to move out for my undergraduate degree, so I spent a lot of time at home studying...and  as the oldest female in my family, I was expected to help around the house A LOT. It sucked being home most of the time because I could never get any work done. 

 

3) I feel like I've accomplished quite a few things. I did not think I would see myself in academia or research. But somehow I found myself drawn to the area. My family expected me to graduate, get a decent job, and begin my life after 4 years of college. Though I think now they see that I have done a lot in terms of research and that, with enough effort and motivation, I can really make a difference somehow. 

 

 

4) The need to know more, passion, and really awesome professors and mentors.  Also, the need to prove a lot of people wrong. A lot of people (mostly my mom's sisters and nieces/nephews) think I'm an idiot and that I won't achieve much. I've slowly worked my way to make them scared/eat their words. There's no better motivation than hearing people say that you should not even go to college. They used to tell me that I should get some secretary/receptionist job. 

 

[east-coast-girl]

1) My dad is in the military and has been for a number of years and my mom used to work full-time until she was laid off a number of years ago but neither have degrees past high school.  One of my sisters went to a state school for a semester before she dropped out and then earned her RN at a community college and just recently completed her BSN online; none of my other siblings have degrees.  

 

2) I am the first in my family to go to college (and stay in college) and probably wouldn't have been able to go to school without having my schooling completely paid for (thank God!).  Overall, I had to overcome the fierce doubts that my father had about me being successful in school.  

 

3) As a first-generation student I have done extremely well in school (I will be graduating in May, probably with honors).  I was accepted for two consecutive years on a research team in my department.  In addition, I also have been able to have jobs as a tutor and a teacher's assistant.  

 

4) My professors have been amazing and completely believe in me and my success.  I, honestly, would not have done as well as I have without having some of my professors there to believe in me and help me through this process (especially applying to grad school).  Also, in general, I have always loved learning so I definitely have a huge passion for what I am doing.  

[TakeruK]

This is my 4th year as a graduate student but I was a first generation applicant, so I'll add my thoughts too

 

1. I'm the first in my family to pursue graduate school and also the first in my immediate family to pursue higher education (anything past high school). I have a much older cousin and an uncle who have undergraduate degrees in engineering. My parents moved to Canada as war refugees, so my father only has a high school education and my mother did not finish high school. 

 

2. Most of my struggles are from my complete lack of how universities work and basically a lack of a support network. It was very scary to start University but luckily I had some friends from high school attending too. I commuted from home, which was a 2-3 hour roundtrip commute, depending on the traffic and bus schedules. This made it even harder to get immersed and build a support network of people who knew what academia was like, since I would arrive in time for my first class and go home shortly after my final class. Most of my friends were in similar situation. When it was time to apply to grad school, I had a lot to learn about how everything works. 

 

Also, like others above posted, I had to fund my own way through university with scholarships and working as a research assistant later on. As refugees to Canada, my parents were working near minimum wage jobs when I was born so there was no college savings fund etc available.

 

Another part of my struggle came from my family, despite meaning their best. My family didn't quite understand what graduate school meant, and they thought that a bachelors in X meant that you were fully qualified to work in X. There was a lot of resistance to doing more school, especially the idea of moving away for school (since I lived at home during undergrad). Like others above posted, these doubts from your family can really make you question yourself during the big decision moments. But my family has also been incredibly supportive! The majority of their concerns went away after I was able to explain to them how graduate school works, and how you need a post-graduate degree to actually work in your field as a researcher! The hard part was me having to figure this out first with all their doubts.

 

3. I think I have had a lot of successes despite being a first generation everything-beyond-high-school student/applicant. A chunk of my undergraduate tuition was funded through scholarships. I also won graduate level funding from the Canadian government for both my MSc program in Canada and my current PhD program in the US. I am currently in a top US program for my field. Basically, I feel that at this point, whatever disadvantage I had is now negated and I have overcome the challenges! Yay!

 

4. One major reason I was/am able to succeed is the mentorship of my supervisors. They played the role of my "academic parents" and guided me through all of the complications and unwritten rules of academia. They helped me understand how everything works so I could explain it to my parents. My family also were incredibly supportive. Even their doubts mentioned above was done in what they thought was my best interest. Throughout childhood, they have always stressed the importance of an education so that I would have an opportunity they did not have. Once they understood what my graduate goals were, they were behind me 100%! My friends and peers in undergrad were also a great. Although most of us were also first generation everything, we figured things out together and eventually became a strong support network too. And finally, the most important part of my success, I think is my spouse! Her support and patience has been incredible. I definitely feel that although I am the one officially registered as a student, the work towards this PhD is something we both have contributed a great part of our time and effort into!

[NatureGurl]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

 

I'm the first in my family to pursue doctoral education (my younger sister as an MBA, but it's from U of Phoenix, so I don't know how much credibility it has in her field). Anyway, I'm the oldest, so I guess it kind of skews the data in terms of being the "first" to pursue higher education.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

 

My parents couldn't help me much with the applications or funding. I did everything myself--research on schools, applications, financial aid, etc.

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

 

I graduated with a BA from a Top 20 private university (got a scholarship that basically covered tuition, which at that time was about $20,000), MS from a local state university, and am now pursuing my PhD in the top program in the nation (as in US News and World Report ranked #1 for the past 15 years or so). My advisor is super awesome, and I love my program and the emotional/financial support I get here.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

 

Determination. Patience. Luck. Mostly luck.

 

To this day, I still cannot believe that when I was a senior in high school and wanted to apply for early decision to this elite, small private university on the other coast, my guidance counselor told me to "not get my hopes up." Well, I was accepted, and I attended and graduated. Don't let other people tell you what you can and cannot do! I don't get everything that I apply for, but darn it, I apply for it and hope for the best!

[moyru]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?
 

I never met my real dad so I don't know anything about him. My mom didn't finish high school. I was the first in my family to go to college, and am the first one in my family to have a masters degree.
 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

I've had to figure it all out on my own. I never had anyone tell me what kinds of classes I should take in high school, or how to go about the application process, or how to apply for financial aid. I didn't know where I should fo. Luckily, I figured it out on my own. The other difficulties are related to finances. My mom is definitely proud of me but has been unable to provide for me. I've had to finance my education on my own - working multiple jobs and taking out loans. I did apply and receive a lot of scholarships, though. 
 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?
First in my family to finish high school, get a bachelors, have a masters...going for a second masters. Honors/awards. First to have a salaried job/career job.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

Determination. I don't want to live how my mom did - single with kids and juggling crappy jobs to pay the bills. I have a desire to help my family out by bettering myself first, and being able to help them get stable. Now that I've done it, my brothers are starting to as well. Even my mom is inspired to get her GED now. We support each other.

Also, my friends/mentors and relationships found through online networks - finding people who knew where I was coming from. Even when I was younger I would partake in message boards and be part of learning networks. I remember people reading my personal statements and giving me feedback!

[DirtyLabCoat]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

My father was a bus driver from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of NY for 30+ years and my mother emigrated here from Peru so neither went to college.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

Applying for Immunology/Microbiology PhD programs was slightly more diffcult as I didn't have parents that were physicians or scientists like some applicants to guide me through the process. That is not to say they did not give me their full support. I am thankful I had a very strong support system consisting of my academic advisor, reserach PI at Cornell, and all my supervisors of my past internships to lead me in the right direction.

 

3)What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

I was Salutatorian of my high school. Graduated with an honors thesis in Microbiology and as a Cornell Research Scholar with 4 pharmaceutical/biotechology internships under my belt and I currently work for the USDA at Plum Island as a Collaborating Scientist working on FMDV as a gap-year position before grad school.  (It never seems like you have done enough until you write it out all on paper...)

 

4)What has helped you reach your educational goals?

Having the emotional support of my parents and a loving home honestly was a major factor. If they didn't always push me to do my best or get me interested in different things to find what I liked I don't think I ever would have done as much as I have. Also all the faculty as my high school and at Cornell have been like my extended family throughout this whole process. Needless to say I am very grateful to have them all.

[girbgirl]

1) My older brother has a degree in physics and is currently pursuing a M.S. in electrical engineering. I have one aunt with a Bachelor's degree in something related to politics/international relations and one uncle who has a Bachelor's degree in something related to agriculture/landscaping, I think. My parents both took some classes at a community college but did not receive degrees.

 

2) Hmm, probably the largest struggle is having parents that don't understand the importance of experience. My mother sees my time away from school as time to make money, and is confused and angry when I suggest trying to find unpaid experiences that could benefit me academically.

 

3) A good GPA, some research experience, and a better understanding of myself and others.

 

4) My strong will has helped me the most. It was instrumental in my success following a change of major in my senior year of undergrad.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Born in Brooklyn. On the coldest day in history. Never knew my dad. Mom dropped out of high school. Left when I was a kid. Lived with my gramma. She died. Lived with my aunt. She died. Bounced around. Mom came back. She went to prison. Dropped out of high school myself. Got GED. Joined military. Got kicked out for "misconduct." Got it upgraded to Honorable discharge because they said I was crazy. Wandered around the country for a few years. Moved to Florida. Hot as hell. Enrolled in community college. Got associate's. 4.0. Transferred to university. Got bachelor's. Summa cum laude. Linguistics major. Comp sci minor. Applying to grad school. Wanna go to Seattle. Weather is nice. We'll see... 

Edited December 17, 2013 by JoeyBoy718

[pyrocide]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

Pursuing undergraduate? I think I had some cousins in on-line, for profit programs. Other than that, my mother graduated with an associates degree. My father graduated high school. I am the first to pursue graduate studies.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

Undergrad was easier due to financial aid support from my institution. Senior spring my parents had some medical/financial issues so I had to spend a few years post-undergrad helping them with funds from my job as a lab technician as well as a night job at a fast food restaurant. This financial restriction limited the number of GRE tests I could take as well as grad school programs I could apply to (which was hampered further by geographical restriction.)

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

I am proud of graduating from my undergraduate institution (consistently one of the top 3 in the US), as well as working hard this last year to get myself into a position to apply to graduate schools.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

My PI for my lab tech position. He has done so much by teaching me techniques and helping me conduct successful experiments, as well as encouraging me to do well on GREs and apply to school while I was bummed out about my familial responsibilities. My academic advisor from college was also incredibly helpful and supportive, and hanging out with my hackerspace when I was feeling stressed or lonely made all the difference.  

[DeeD]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

Not exactly. Both my parents have masters degrees (dad in mathematics and mum in traditional medicine) and my sister is a doctor. But I am the first to go abroad for a higher education degree. Not sure whether that makes me a "first generation applicant". 

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

Well, no one ever expected me to do anything. Everyone was like "you have good grades, you'll get a job, get married and settle down. What more do you want ?" I don't know what more I want, but I know I want more. I guess my personal challenge was lack of guidance. I have support, but no guidance, and definitely nothing in the form of encouragement.

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

My UG college isn't very reputed and when I was doing my UG, extra curricula's and internships were unheard of. I've lost count of the number of times someone laughed at me saying "Don't you have enough work to do that you want to take up more?" It took some doing, but a hundred slammed doors and thousand smirks later - 2 internships Small ones at startups, but it was a big deal for me. 

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

I don't know. I'm just terrified that one day I'll wake up and realise I never did anything worth doing. 

[calliope_dogstar]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

 

I am an only child. My mother didn't finish high school, my father didn't finish college (two semesters I think?). I have uncles who went on to higher ed, but I'm not super close with them. I actually had one try to encourage me to pursue a different path than the one I'm taking (You should be a doctor! Like a medical doctor!). 

 

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

 

Well, I have no "in" with the schools outside of my own research and mentored relationships with professors at my school. I've known folks whose parents are in academia, and it's like they just "know" what they have to do. When I made the decision I had no clue at all what goes into graduate school or what I needed to do, and I was already a Junior at my uni. I got the absolute most from forming acquaintances and friendships with grad students in my department. I can't really explain any of this stuff to my parents because it is all right over their heads. 

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

 

In my short time since I've figured this out I've been accepted as an undergrad TA (responsible for teaching an intro lab, conducting it, and grading for 24 students), and had several research experiences- resulting in several professors encouraging me along my path and telling me I have what it takes. One thing is for sure, once I set my mind to a thing... I do it with gusto. To give an idea, this last semester I had 15 credit hours, seven of which were what I would consider hard/time consuming courses. I was also an undergraduate teaching assistant, applying to graduate programs, and learning to mentor incoming freshmen interested in research projects. And I was building a website related to my area of interest. Oh. And I'm a mom with a husband and two young kids. I wound up kicking myself a few weeks in because I'd dropped a class required for my core curriculum because I thought I'd hit my limit. I realized I probably could have sandwiched that coursework in if I'd known how much easier another class became after those first couple weeks. 

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

 

My daughter. She is potentially going to face some serious challenges in her life due to circumstances surrounding her birth. When she not only survived but surpassed expectations I began to realize I need to not only encourage her to make a difference in the world but to also set the pace for her to follow. She's crazy tough and smart, and so I want to be able to put out there for her that not only can she do it, but she's going to do better than her mama. 

[Loric]

Anyone else feel like these sorts of questions would be a better solution to "getting to know the applicant" than the random SOP/PS prompts..?

[A Finicky Bean]

It's funny because I never know if this applies to me. I have an older brother, by six years, and he finished college. My mom finished high school, no college. My dad almost finished college but dropped out to become an entrepreneur. I am the only one who went on to get a grad degree (MA) and am the only one hoping to get into a PhD program. So does this make me first generation since my brother graduated from college? 

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but like I said, I've never really known how to answer this and for some reason felt dumb to ask.

[TakeruK]

Anyone else feel like these sorts of questions would be a better solution to "getting to know the applicant" than the random SOP/PS prompts..?

 

Yes! My PS (for the schools that asked for one) prompts were pretty similar to these and I basically wrote what I wrote above in my personal history statement. However, I don't think these types of prompts should replace the current standard SOP prompt though. I think it is important for the school to hear about us both from the academic/professional angle (SOP) and the personal angle (PS/PHS).

[Sevenoffs]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?
I am the first to pursue graduate education in my family. My sister and I both went to University, but our parents (and their family) did not.
 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?
Hmm. I think that although my mother is very supportive, she doesn't always understand the amount of work that's involved with everything I'm doing. That makes it difficult at times when I have to plan my life around my schooling (and my son). Also my struggles were probably more directly related to the fact that I am a single parent. I had my son when I was 16 and just kept on trucking. It is extremely stressful at times, and sometimes I get worried about pursuing graduate school at this point...but I am going to! My son is turning 9 next month and is a lovely little boy, and it has worked out so far.
 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?
I managed to tackle the position of being a single parent alongside maintaining high grades, completing my Honours thesis, completing a specialization program, and getting all of my graduate application testing done and applications in. I have lived by myself since I had my son, not received any child support, and somehow managed to create a lovely human being for the world while improving myself and my future! I feel pretty proud of that.
 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

A lot of family support from my mother (babysitting when needed), as well as some amazing friends I've had since I was a teenager. I've also maintained good working relationships with many of the professors from my undergraduate degree, and that helped my graduate application process a lot (they reviewed numerous things and helped me with any questions). All of these factors will continue to help me further my education, and I'm constantly grateful for everyone in my life!

[microarray]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

My parents only have a high school education. I'm one of the first ones in my whole family to go to grad school. I have a 2nd cousin that's a Bio prof at a Uni, but other than that I think I'm the only one.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

I think by being the first, I have to figure everything out on my own. The advice I get is from my PI (which is great!), but I wish I could ask my family how they went through this very stressful process.

 

+ Absolutely no financial support from my family. Applications are super expensive. I'm glad I only applied to 4 schools, i'm not sure how many more I could have afforded.

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

Really high GPA, lots of scholarships, huge research grant/scholarship, and research for 2+ years all while being a non-traditional student. I started my undergrad when I was 25.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

Sheer determination to make my life better (I grew up in a lower middleclass/poor family in the south). Holding myself to high standards made me study hard and keep going. (Hope all my hard work will pay off.)

 

Super supportive SO, who was in school at the same time as I was. He graduated a year before I did, but he understands when I need to study late or why I can't really hang out during the semester.

 

Having a dog! He's always excited to see me and knows when I'm feeling down.

 

Having friends at school to help you get through the tough parts of school.

 

Lastly, a really amazing mentor (my PI).

[Adenine_Monarch]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

I have always been a bit confused by this question as well (can someone clear this up for me?). I am the first in my family (meaning nuclear family: me, mom and dad - I have no siblings) to go to college and pursue graduate work. If, however, you mean my ENTIRE extended family, then no. I have an uncle and a cousin (his daughter) that went to college and graduated. However, all of my extended family lives very far from me (or doesn't speak english), and due to my uncle's divorce, I am only just now getting to know my cousin. I think I also have an aunt on my dad's side that went to community college, but that's it. And we don't talk about it. Either way, I never got much from my family in terms of advice and the support of shared experience. I may even be the one and only person that I know of to try for a Ph.D (my uncle was a chemistry major, but I'm not sure how far he went). Both my parents started college but dropped out within weeks to get married.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

I think I would answer similar here. It's just tough doing it all on your own and having few people to empathize with or talk to about the particulars. My SO has been here for the whole grad school ride, but I don't think even he understands just how stressful it is since he didn't finish community college himself. I get plenty of encouragement and my family/friends are proud of me (which I'm grateful for) but....that doesn't write essays or read papers for me! As an undergrad, my parents were able to give me some money for school and I worked for the rest or earned it with scholarships. Currently, I'm footing the bill all alone. And when you quit your job to pursue grad school....heh. It's not easy! And being older I have a family unit and household to worry about, too.

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

Just basically got good grades/test scores and worked hard. I was HS valedictorian, National Merit Commended Scholar (top 2% graduating HS seniors), AP scholar, scholarship winner at my undergrad institution, graduated magna cum laude, I am published in my field....and at 30+ years of age and almost a decade after my undergrad (I spent 8 years in research already), I'm trying for my Ph.D. It's been a tough road making such a huge life change a little later than most people tend to make it. If I am successful, I feel like that will be my biggest personal accomplishment to date.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

I guess just mostly being stubborn, competitive and always wanting to learn and do my best and be successful. I have a dogged, disciplined personality in that regard along with a lot of pride.
And I honestly just love to learn. Academia (and particularly the biological/biomedical sciences) is just where I feel comfortable and where I feel like I belong.

 

Along the way, I have had my family, friends, teachers and advisors cheering me on and pushing me to greater heights. I also have my PI to thank for telling me I should move on from the lab and maybe go back to school. I remember not being very happy when he mentioned it (since I loved my lab work so much) but I've since learned that it is important to diversify, learn new things, meet new people and just have new experiences in general; otherwise, you don't grow and you get stuck.

 

And, as stated, my SO has done all he can to help me with the process, from scanning my transcripts to helping tutor me for GRE math. Thanks, babe!

Edited January 15, 2014 by Adenine_Monarch

[bgguitarist]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

  Technically, there is one other person in my family who has pursued graduate education (great-uncle), but that was for a DDS, which in my family doesn't count    because anything medical is considered practical and English just...isn't.

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

Parts of my family are very redneck and anti-education (so sad). They've decided I'm not worth the time of day, anymore. *shrug* 

 

In terms of academics, I'm not only first-generation in terms of grad school, I was also home-schooled K-12. Adjusting to the university was very hard at first, but it became a place where I could be an adult and spread my wings away from my parents. I've had to justify this to my immediate family (who are very loving but also very opinionated about what constitutes a legitimate lifestyle/career. English was never on their list. They're even more baffled about Victorian literature). 

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

I'm actually very, very proud that I've won my dad over. He's now 100% on the English PhD team (possibly due to exhaustion and resignation). I've explained to him the many career options (teaching at various levels, professorship, teaching overseas, editing magazines, publishing industry, etc) and he seems to be okay as long as I have a plan and a few contingency plans. Haha. I've also worked my way through two degrees with *almost* no loans. Last year, I had to take out 5k to finish out my M.A., but that's not devastating debt. I hope. 

 

I wrote an 112 page thesis. I wrote a 72,000 word novel. I got married (and we're almost three. Yipes!). I'm now an adjunct at my Alma mater and a tutor at a local community college. I overcame my social anxiety and shyness (I'm still quiet, but I can chit-chat if I need to). And, I've managed to keep playing my guitar and performing locally throughout both degrees. I play folk with lots of strange and random influences. My songs tend to be folk/blues/bluegrass/punk inspired.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

The faculty at my Alma mater (where I got both degrees) are amazing. Without them, I might have given up. My SO and the friends I made as a grad student are also big supporters, especially since my family and childhood friends don't really understand the allure of higher education. I think another part of what kept me going was my younger siblings. I'm the oldest of five children, and I want my siblings to see that there is more than one lifestyle available to them. I want them to know we have options. I want them to know that it is okay to break away from the beliefs and expectations we grew up with. One of my little sisters is working on an Aeronautics degree, and says one of her options is NASA or commercial space programs. I think my work here is done *dusts off hands*.

 

Edit: by "almost three" I mean our third anniversary is coming up. No kiddos for me, thanks.

Edited January 15, 2014 by bgguitarist

[yolk]

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?

Both my father and mother have four year college degrees in business. I'm the first in my nuclear family to seriously consider applying to a PhD program (focused in a STEM field). I say considering because I haven't actually sent any applications yet, but I've started the process. I have an Uncle that has a PhD in pyschology but he has been of no influence in my decision nor a source of help.

 

2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?

To say I have had struggles would be sensationalizing my experience. I think in terms of new experiences and the challenges that come with. Throughout my undergrad my parents have been supportive in financing my education and caring for my general well-being. In all other aspects, they are passive. I'm thankful for this because it has allowed me to unbiasedly discover my own academic interests and develop independently. I grabbed my own bootstraps and pulled myself to a higher education and it certainly has changed my outlook on life. Applying to graduate school has proved to be an entirely new experience, but then so has college so I've taken it in stride and it's prooved to be a fun and useful introspective exercise.

 

3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?

Whenever someone calls me a pessimist I correct them; I'm a dose of reality. Let's face it, I'm a fourth year junior in my undergrad and I've accomplished nothing of real importance. My high gpa is an indicator of how well I read the syllabus and how well I've mastered the material. This takes a bit of time and effort, but in no way do I let it affect my ego. I see my grades as a small cog in the machine I am building to get into a graduate program. I'm fortunate to have some research experience in the field of cancer genomics and even have been published as a back-burner author for a couple papers. But again I must maintain my modesty; I didn't design the experiment, nor did I contribute any real intellect into the project. I was a lab grunt and my PI and his post-doc are generous.

 

So what have I really accomplished? Despite the above paragraph, I'm a true optimistic. I enjoy every day of learning and now that I'm pointed in a direction I feel a sense of worth in my studies. I like to think my good nature improves the lives of those around me. I think I'm a likeable person and enjoy meeting new people and having a laugh. I'm also a very perceptive listener and learner and I like to think others value my insight. I've matured emotionally and intellectually and I attribute this to the education I've received.

 

4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?

The people who I've found the most support are those in positions I hope to be someday (professors, research scientists, etc). I can thank my current PI for seducing my inner scientist. He has instilled confidence and planted the seeds of grad school into my young undergrad mind. My undergrad professors and their enthusiasm for the life sciences have transmitted to me with profound potentcy. I enjoy their presence more than most of my friends lol! I can't ever forget my parents! They are incredibly supportive. Just because I can't share my excitement for phylogenetic trees and transforming e. coli doesn't mean they can't help me in my endeavors.

 

Many of my friends from highschool and early college have been of little or no support at all. I'm very confident in my future and try to help my friends find their passions. Sometimes I feel they think I'm being cocky, when really I'm just excited! Despite changing interests I still value my friendships. Although looking to the future, I can't imagine maintaining them throughout graduate school. I think the time has come to establish a new friend group and I hope they don't feel left behind 

Edited January 15, 2014 by yolk

[JBums1028]

I'm glad to have found this because I wasn't sure if there was "such thing" as a first generation graduate student...

 

1) I will be the first in my nuclear family to attend graduate school. There is debate about whether others in my extended family earned a graduate level degree. However, one of my parents earned a Bachelor's degree and my sister did as well. So I'm not a first gen in the "traditional" sense.

 

2) Some struggles I've faced with applying to grad programs are probably similar to what traditional first gen students face in general. I felt confused about the whole process. My family was well meaning and supportive but haven't given the best advice. They just assumed that the applications were going to be the same as my undergraduate applications. They didn't really get that I'm evaluated on more than just my GPA. Also, my mom asked me if I was done with all my applications about two weeks after they were first released. I probably just finished applying places around New Years. Don't get me wrong I love my parents and I appreciate their attempts to help. Overall, this process for me has felt more chaotic and disorganized than it did when I was applying to undergrad, mostly because I've had less help and less practical, useful advice then I did coming out of High School. Also finances are a much bigger concern this time around because my parents (they helped me pay for undergrad) did not anticipate that I would attend graduate school. So I'm on my own in that department.

 

3) Well I've gotten accepted somewhere. That's an accomplishment!

 

4) I had several mentors through undergrad who have helped prep me for what the grad school application process would be like. I'm extremely appreciative of these people because without them I probably would have given up on all my applications. My family has also been supportive in other ways. They believed I was capable of getting accepted and for that I'm grateful!