How to Turn Professors' Feedback into a Plan for Success

by Shawn Patrick

This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Working in a writing center, I often help students try to understand their professor’s feedback on their essays. The prospect of not being able to figure out what...

Admissions Officers Tell All: How to Stand Out in College Applications

by FirstGenerationStudent.com

This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. With the competition heating up for coveted spots at universities around the country, many students worry about their odds of being accepted by their dream schools. One of...

Dos and Don'ts of College Applications

by Matt Rubinoff

This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Straight-Up Advice from College Admission Officers We talked to 14 universities and colleges across the United States about their admissions policies: what can make or break...

Rethinking What It Means To Be Smart

by Shawn Patrick

This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Growing up, I knew I was smart; I had the test scores to prove it. I excelled in math — so when I enrolled in college, I decided to major in engineering. I confidently...

Taking Pride in Your First-Generation Identity

by Nu Xiong

This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. It was in high school that I began to fully understand the disadvantages that came with being a first-generation student: I realized that the cultural and linguistic...