“You drown not by falling into a river but by staying submerged in it.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Seeking to become the first college graduate in her family, the first-generation college student faces some strong river currents in her pursuit of admission to her chosen college. Not least of these upstream currents is a mindset among some college admissions directors that the “first-gen” student is simply not as “college ready” as her college-legacy peers who grew up in families with one or both parents possessing a college degree.
The student's application package (including a personal statement essay) is the first-gen student's only "interview" with the admissions department - the only opportunity to present a convincing case that he or she possesses the academic credentials and work ethic to succeed in college.
First-Gen Advocates helps first-gen students compete for admission to college by sponsoring their participation in College Admission Workshops where they will prepare their college application forms and personal statement essays under the guidance of professional college admission counselors who will help them present their academic and extracurricular accomplishments in a compelling portrait of college-readiness.
If you are a first-gen student and would like to participate in this FREE 3-day workshop – or a parent of a first-gen student – click here to download a registration form with all the details:
Outcomes:
When we help a student become the first higher education graduate in her family, we break a generational cycle - increasing the likelihood that both she AND future generations of her family will earn post-secondary degrees.
Donate:
If you or your organization find alignment with our mission and would like to partner with us in our goal of leveling the playing field for first-gen students, please click on the DONATE / CONTACT US page in our menu and consider making a tax-deductible donation to our cause.
Questions?
Call or write to us using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
