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Does being a first generation college graduate (and first generation high school graduate) give any boost in admissions? I know this doesn't qualify as URM status, but is it a relevant soft factor anywhere?

Yes, it helps. I don't know that there's a quantifiable boost, but it's something that schools have said they look at favorably.

They said it adds to the "diversity" of the class. Aside from just ethnic diversity, schools seem to give extra consideration to "interesting" people with that sort of background. First in college, first generation American, etc. seems to work in your favor.

cowgirl_bebop wrote:They said it adds to the "diversity" of the class. Aside from just ethnic diversity, schools seem to give extra consideration to "interesting" people with that sort of background. First in college, first generation American, etc. seems to work in your favor.

What about second generation lawyer and third generation college graduate? Does that help at all? I can't imagine there's many people who go to law school because their parents are lawyers....

Übermensch wrote:Does being a first generation college graduate (and first generation high school graduate) give any boost in admissions? I know this doesn't qualify as URM status, but is it a relevant soft factor anywhere?

Don't expect for it to be significant or even discernible in any form in your cycle.

OGR3 wrote:

cowgirl_bebop wrote:They said it adds to the "diversity" of the class. Aside from just ethnic diversity, schools seem to give extra consideration to "interesting" people with that sort of background. First in college, first generation American, etc. seems to work in your favor.

What about second generation lawyer and third generation college graduate? Does that help at all? I can't imagine there's many people who go to law school because their parents are lawyers....

You're reflecting poorly on the Panther. She put "interesting" in quotes.

LLB2JD wrote:

Übermensch wrote:Does being a first generation college graduate (and first generation high school graduate) give any boost in admissions? I know this doesn't qualify as URM status, but is it a relevant soft factor anywhere?

Don't expect for it to be significant or even discernible in any form in your cycle.

That's what I figured. I am wondering if it, combined with some other factors (Asian immigrant, fluent in five languages, etc.), warrants writing a diversity statement.

Always write a diversity statement if you think you have something to say and it can help you. The aps process is all about highlighting how you're more than your numbers and what besides your numbers you can offer to a class.

I think it can hurt as much as help. In some schools my non-traditional underprivileged first generation clearly helped. In some interviews during my school visits, admission deans asked a lot of questions about that but also, At a couple of schools I could tell it was a huge disqualifier. At one school the dean stated that it was just as important for me to find a school where I fit in as it was for the school to select applicants that they felt in. It was a 3 hour drive home, but when I got their, my status checker had been updated to wait list. Sadly some people view those from difficult backgrounds as substandard law school material. Others recognize the adversity that has been over come and respect you for it.

LLB2JD wrote:

Übermensch wrote:Does being a first generation college graduate (and first generation high school graduate) give any boost in admissions? I know this doesn't qualify as URM status, but is it a relevant soft factor anywhere?

Don't expect for it to be significant or even discernible in any form in your cycle.

TITCR

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Play it up in your applications/personal narrative and maybe it could make a small difference. It's another piece to add to your "admissions puzzle".

Übermensch wrote:Does being a first generation college graduate (and first generation high school graduate) give any boost in admissions? I know this doesn't qualify as URM status, but is it a relevant soft factor anywhere?

Helps at some schools more than others. Among the T14, Berkeley, Mich, and NYU come to mind. I'm sure there are more.