First-generation students come from families where neither parent or guardian has a four-year degree from a college or university. Students whose parents received degrees from outside the United States typically identify as first-generation.
Here are resources and tips you can use while researching and preparing for college as a first-generation prospective student.
Here are some tips to get you started!
Review UW Admissions First Generation Student Welcome page to learn more about common topics students are curious about and getting acquainted at UW. https://www.washington.edu/parents/first-generation-students/
UW Admissions is also your first point of contact while you are preparing to apply. When in doubt, review resources from UW Admissions or get in contact with your Admissions Counselor. https://www.washington.edu/admissions/
The Parent and Family Guide is an excellent for the whole family to review resources available to students at the UW. You can also use it to help you and your parents and family can support you while you navigate the university. You can view the guide here and download in several languages: https://www.washington.edu/parents/resources/pfg/
If you are a prospective transfer student, you may also wish to connect with advisers and academic departments during Transfer Thursday. https://transfer.uw.edu/thursday/
Q: Where should I go for more information about the University of Washington as a high school student?
A: The Office of Admissions is an excellent place to start to learn about admissions information, campus life, costs and financial aid, and how you can find and create community at the University of Washington. You can also find out how to contact your Admissions Counselor if you have more to ask after exploring the online resources.
If you’re interested in visiting the University of Washington or taking a tour, you can also find information here:
https://admit.washington.edu/visit/campus-tours/
Q: How do students find and create communities on campus?
A: Students find and form communities in many different places on campus. Here are some examples:
These are just a few examples of where students find others and create community!
Q: What can I study at UW?
A: The full list of majors at the University of Washington can help give you an idea of the wide variety of options for pathways of study. You will also take several classes for your Areas of Inquiry as part of your General Education Requirements and have access to academic advisors and other academic resources to help you explore different options.
https://advising.uw.edu/degree-overview/majors/list-of-undergraduate-majors/
Q: How can I share information about the University of Washington with my parents or family members?
A: The Parent and Family Guide is a great place to begin conversations with your parents and family about the University of Washington, different resources and communities, and information about admissions, cost & financial aid, and more.
Degrees earnedBachelor Of Arts (Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences) '05
What Being First Generation MeansBeing a First Generation College Student means the world to me. I grew up watching shows like “A Different World” and “The Cosby Show” that were the only shows that portrayed black and brown folks in a positive, academic, successful and professional light. I knew that was what I wanted to do. They promoted the fact that knowledge is for everyone, information is a resource and available to everyone.
I didn’t have anyone in my family that went to college or even attempted to make the jump into higher education. So I was proud to be the first, but not the last. I think I helped open the door to what was once seen as an impossibility in my family. And I am so glad UW is a part of that story.
Advice to current studentsStay focused, don’t listen to the people that told you that you can’t complete the program in the timeline you’ve set for yourself. I would say it gets easier, just keep pushing through. All the hard work is worth it in the end. And we were built to do hard things, nothing is impossible and you were born to be great!
