Historically speaking, the deck has been stacked against young students whose parents do not possess a college degree; students otherwise known as first-generation (or “first-gen”) college students. For example, a 2013 study found that only 17 percent of first-gen students earned a college degree within ten years of their high school sophomore year; a much lower rate than their peers who have parents with a college education.
But at the end of the day, first-generation students who are deemed “college-ready” persist just as successfully at the post-secondary level as continuing generation students. Thousands of Tallo students identify as first-generation.
These students in particular are out to prove themselves, and they’re using our digital ecosystem to do it. In fact, we’ve identified them as one our “highly motivated” student populations. Simply put, they’re awesome.
Here’s how we know:
- More than three out of four first-generation students on Tallo have a fully completed profile; a rate that out-strips continuing generation students by about nine percent.
- They are reporting higher rates of AP test engagement and digital badge ownership.
- The rate at which they apply for scholarships and other opportunities via Tallo closely matches their continuing-generation peers.
What are they passionate about?
- 84% of them have their sights set on attending a four-year college. Talk about closing the gap!
- 10% plan to pursue CTE (Career Technical Education). That’s essential education for some of America’s hardest-to-fill jobs.
- 6% plan to serve our country in the military, where they will learn critical technical and leadership skills.
- The most popular career interests for first-generation students include counselors, paralegals, librarians, and equipment technicians.
As we’ve discovered, the passion among these students has been blazing for years. They’ve simply needed an outlet to pursue that passion. We truly cannot express how honored we are to be that gateway to opportunity. But we’re not surprised. After all, Tallo is where all students get their opportunity to shine.
