Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Waiting Was Worthwhile
Waiting for responses from the schools I applied to was a pain in the hiney. One night, I dreamt that I had received an acceptance letter from Brown University. It was merely a dream. It felt so real though. What did this dream mean? Was it a sign? Was this my fate:...
The Wait
Boy, do I remember being in your shoes! Around this same time last year is all but a single endless, anxious day. I had completed all my applications, sent in all of my transcripts, finished the SAT forever, and now I had to wait... and wait… and wait! I had done my...
Get excited for April!
So the waiting begins! Usually you don’t hear from colleges until April. The waiting game is the worst. You’re so close to graduating and all you want to do is be assured that you have a vision of where you are heading. If your guidance counselor was helpful you would...
Academic Catch-Up: How to Get College-Ready in Writing and Math
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Getting into college is one thing, but being ready for college-level writing and math is another. Many schools now look at test scores (like the ACT) or college placement...
Ten Days and Counting: Spring Break Approaches!
I'm a week and a half from finishing my second quarter at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. The past six months have been overwhelming, wonderful, scary, and all around life-changing. My time here has gone quickly, but it has no doubt been the most...
Welcome to the Waiting Game
Do you check your mailbox every day? Your e-mail inbox? The school's website for your application status? Feel like everyone is getting accepted and you haven't hear anything? Welcome to the waiting game. It sucks... good luck! Waiting for a decision letter can be...
College Partner News: A Letter of Support
Board Members Doris Davis and Bruce Poch offered their encouragement to colleges and universities to support Center for Student Opportunity and I'm First. "What makes I'm First a success are the hundreds of four-year colleges and universities that partner with CSO to...
Opportunity Knocks: Summer Bridge and Orientation
Click here to view the second February Opportunity Knocks newsletter featuring Summer Bridge and Orientation opportunities at: Brown University, Providence, RI, Fall Pre-Orientation Programs Concordia University Texas, Austin, TX, Embark! New Student Orientation...
The Next Six Months for I'm First
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Winners Convening for the College Knowledge Challenge at Mozilla HQ in Mountain View, California. If you aren't already aware, I'm First is one of 20 winners of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored College...
Common Cents: Maximizing Your Scholarship Search
On February 21, 2013, I'm First held a Google+ Hangout discussing the best ways to maximize your scholarship search. Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher of Fastweb.com and FinAid.org, along with Stephanie Siebert, Director of Scholarships at Zinch.com, gave great tips and...