Online College Application FAQs for First-Generation Students

college application faqs first generation students

Navigating the Online College Application Process as a First-Generation Student

Did you know that 56% of college students in the US are first-generation students? You’re part of an army of first-generation online students with unique application challenges. These challenges can result in feelings of confusion, discouragement, and loss of control.

Your unique challenges as a first-gen student are likely the result of:

  • Little to no useful familial guidance because you’re the first one to attend college.
  • Limited access to valuable college readiness resources and services.
  • Difficulty in navigating the college application process (e.g., forms, deadlines, and requirements).

Fortunately, you can rely on our college application FAQs for useful information. Here, we’ll break down the complex online college application requirements into manageable chunks. You’ll understand their what, why, and how – from what you need to how to gather them. In doing so, you’ll feel less confused and more in control of the application process.

Featured Programs

Related Articles:

What Documents Do You Need for an Online College Application?

If you’re one of many incoming first-generation online students, check first the online college application requirements. You must take note of their specific aspects, such as the format and content of the essays. While non-conformity has its merits, it isn’t recommended in the college application process.

Here are the common online college application documents that you must plan for:

Official high school transcripts

Your official high school transcripts are a detailed record of your academic performance. These contain information about the following:

  • High school-level courses you’ve failed and completed
  • Corresponding grades for these courses
  • Cumulative GPA
  • Class rank, if applicable, including honors
  • College-level courses, such as AP classes, you’ve completed and passed 

Online colleges use high school transcripts to determine your academic progress and college readiness. Many have minimum GPA requirements, too, while others don’t. Western Governors University doesn’t have minimum GPA and SAT/ACT requirements.

Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)

Your SAT or ACT scores are useful in assessing your academic abilities against standardized assessments. Every online college with SAT/ACT requirements has specific thresholds.

Many online colleges either don’t require SAT/ACT scores or allow applicants to make the choice to submit or not (i.e., test-optional). Check the online colleges’ websites for the information.

Personal statements and college essays

GPAs and SAT/ACT scores provide quantifiable and objective information. Your statement and your college essays provide subjective information. College admissions officers use your subjective information to determine your suitability for the school and program.

Letters of recommendation

Check, too, if your preferred online colleges require or recommend letters of recommendation. College admissions officers use them to gain insights into your personal character and potential for success.

Portfolio

Your portfolio must showcase your technical skills and creative talents. This is only required when you’re applying to creative programs, such as graphic design or fine arts. College admissions officers use it in determining your creative potential.

Again, follow the recommended format and content for your portfolio (e.g., jpeg).

Financial aid documents

Apply for financial aid even if you think that you won’t qualify. You’ll find many financial aid opportunities if you look hard enough. Plus, rising college costs mean every penny in financial aid will count.

File your FAFSA form on time. Many need-based scholarship and grant programs use FAFSA in their decisions. Check if the online colleges you’re interested in also require CSS Profile submission.

Of course, you must submit a complete and accurate online college application form. Application fees are common in online colleges, too. Ask about application fee waivers or no-application fee policies, too. UMGC, Purdue Global, and ASU Online offer these policies.

How to Get Your High School or College Transcripts

High school and college transcripts for first-generation online students are the same as those for all other students. The process of getting them also applies to all students, whether first-gen or not.

However, there are differences in the steps in getting high school and college transcripts. If you’re a freshman student, you should request your high school transcripts. Being a transferee means getting your transcripts from previous colleges you’ve attended.

Here are the basic steps for getting high school transcripts:

  • Contact your high school registrar or guidance office. Take note of the standard process and papers when requesting transcripts.
  • Use online portals, if offered by your high school, for convenience. Your high school may have its own website or partner with independent providers (e.g., NeedMyTranscript).  
  • Provide the required information. Your full name, date of birth, and year of graduation are common. Give the names and addresses of the online colleges where your transcripts will be sent.
  • Choose the required submission method. Online colleges usually prefer electronic copies but may also request a physical copy sent via snail mail.
  • Pay the required fee.

As for getting college transcripts, the basic steps apply except for a few differences:

  • Contact the registrar’s offices of the previous colleges you’ve attended. File your formal request.
  • Check if your previous colleges used online platforms for transcripts. These can be their internal system or an external provider, such as the National Student Clearinghouse.
  • Provide the required information. This time, your Social Security number or student identification number is also required.
  • Choose the official transcript option. Unofficial transcripts may be initially accepted but aren’t final.
  • Pay the required fee.

Note that colleges usually prefer a college-to-college transcript transmission to ensure its authenticity. Since processing time can take a few weeks, file your transcript request well in advance of college application deadlines.

Do You Need Standardized Test Scores?

Online colleges may or may not require standardized test scores for college applications. You must check with every online college you’re interested in.

Here are a few online colleges that require satisfactory SAT or ACT scores.

  • Florida Atlantic University requires its freshman applicants to meet SAT (1090-1270) or ACT (22-28) requirements.
  • The University of Florida has an SAT (1350-1490) or ACT (30-34) score requirement for its freshman applicants.
  • Arizona State University (ASU) Online’s standardized test scores for freshman admissions are 22-24 for ACT and 1120-1180 for SAT, depending on residency.

The SAT and ACT exams test your academic knowledge and skills. Intensive preparation is the key to getting satisfactory scores.

  • Choose between these exams. Online colleges usually accept either of them.
  • Create and adopt a study plan at least several months before the test date.
  • Take test preparation courses, if you can.
  • Take advantage of official SAT and ACT full-length practice tests.

You can send either your SAT or ACT scores to up to four schools for free. There’s a fee when you want to report your scores to the fifth and subsequent schools.

If you’re worried about the costs of taking either the SAT or ACT, look for fee waivers. Ask your high school guidance counselor for information.

Crafting a Winning College Essay

College essays for first-generation students can make or break their applications. Why? You can either make a compelling case or break your college streak with a 500-word essay.

Think of your college essays as your opportunity to highlight your accomplishments, strengths, and potential. Here’s how you can leverage your uniqueness as a first-gen student.

  • Be proud of your first-generation identity, no matter how humble it may be. Highlight the challenges you’ve faced and overcome. Show your resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming these challenges. Share your family’s influence on your college journey.
  • Be true to yourself. With their extensive experience, college admissions officers can tell between sincerity and lie in college essays.
  • Focus more on your personal growth and less on the negative aspects of your life. Highlight the lessons you’ve learned, the people who influenced you, and your influence.
  • State your goals and ambitions. Working toward your future is as important as overcoming the challenges of the past and growing in the present. Highlight how a college education promotes your goals and ambitions.

Don’t settle for your first draft. Sit on it, so to speak. Ask for feedback and criticism. Edit and proofread as many times as necessary until you’re satisfied.

Your story, as told in your college essays, matters. Let it matter, not only in your desire for admission but also to inspire others.

What Should Be Included in a Portfolio?

Depending on the program, application portfolios for online colleges can include:

  • Paintings and drawings for fine arts and visual arts
  • Digital designs for animation and graphic arts
  • Photographs of your artworks, such as sculptures
  • Samples of your poems, stories, and other creative writing works
  • Videos of your performances, such as in dance and music

You must understand the specific portfolio requirements before collecting your samples. Savannah College of Art and Design, for example, requires an undergraduate portfolio that highlights an applicant’s creative talents. The portfolio can be in visual arts, performing arts, or writing, among others.

Keep these tips in mind when putting together your application portfolio.

  • Choose your best works that highlight your versatility, depth, and progression. Think quality over quantity, but follow the required number of works.
  • Select works that align with the program’s requirements and expectations. Think of your portfolio as your tailored resume in art form. It can be the difference between rejection and admission.
  • Use different media to highlight your technical abilities and creativity. If you’re applying to a digital arts program, submit animation, graphic design, and 3D modeling works.

You may also want to include an artist statement in your portfolio. This is your opportunity to tell your story in words, too, besides art.

How to Keep Track of Deadlines and Requirements

No article on how to apply to online colleges would be complete without discussing deadlines. If you miss a single deadline, you’re missing the opportunity for admission.

Keep these tips in mind to keep track of application deadlines and their requirements.

  • Create a master calendar and checklist for every online college. Note the deadlines, required documents, and related tasks.
  • Use both traditional and digital calendars. A traditional calendar is great for visual cues. A digital calendar has alarms and notifications.
  • Take advantage of task management tools, such as Trello.
  • Organize your application files and documents in the traditional and digital ways. Cloud storage is a must since your computer can have issues.
  • Check your calendars and documents on a regular basis. Avoid being complacent, as it’s easy to miss a deadline when you’re busy with other things. Weekly check-ins are great for this purpose.
  • Request for official documents ASAP. Give schools (i.e., transcripts) and individuals (i.e., letters of recommendation) plenty of time for processing and writing, respectively.

Deadlines and application requirements are beyond your control. But you can take control by planning for these features of the college application process.

Conclusion: You’re Ready to Tackle Your Online College Application

With these first-generation college application tips, you’ll be more competent and confident to tackle its challenges. Preparation is the key to success in overcoming the unique challenges first-gen students face.

Start by understanding the application requirements, including the criteria and documents. Then, create, gather, and organize these documents. Prepare for and pass the SAT or ACT exam. Submit the required documents on time and to the proper office.

With your proactive mindset, you’re more than ready to overcome your application challenges. Indeed, the more you know, the more informed your decisions. Soon, your hard work will translate to acceptance into your dream online college.

But don’t only rely on yourself either. Being a successful first-gen student also means working with others toward your goals. Talk to the admissions officers of your preferred online colleges. Getting first-hand information and support will boost your chances for admission.

In conclusion, the college application process isn’t for the faint of heart. But with the right information, tools, and support, you can make it.