Deciding to return to school and earn a graduate degree is a big life choice. If you’re the first generation of your immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree, the prospect of grad school can be even more intimidating.
“Being a first-generation student contemplating graduate school can feel isolating,” says Claudia Villa Moore, a first-gen college grad who earned her master’s degree from the University of Washington. “You don’t always have the kinds of mentors and connections to help you accomplish your academic and professional goals.”
Studies show first-gen students often face significant financial and personal hurdles to accessing higher education. According to research compiled by the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, when compared with continuing-generation students, first-gen students:
- Had a lower median household income and more unmet financial need
- Incurred more student debt
- Were older and more likely to have dependents
To help you overcome these kinds of first-gen challenges as you contemplate applying to and attending grad school, here are six tips that will give you the best chance for success.
Ways to Set Yourself Up for Grad School Success
Here’s some helpful advice from University of Washington student advisers to help you confidently start your grad school journey.
1. Defeat Impostor Syndrome
You've earned your undergraduate degree, but that doesn’t mean you’ve seen the last of what can be a dreaded phenomenon — impostor syndrome.
Impostor syndrome is defined as "persistent doubt concerning one's abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of one's ongoing success.” It’s a common experience for many people, including first-gen students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
I asked myself, ‘Who does impostor syndrome serve?’ And the reality is, it doesn’t serve anyone.
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Crystal Galván, adviser, University of Washington Bothell
Crystal Galván, an adviser for the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell and a former first-generation grad student, confirms that this challenge can be very real.
“As a woman of color and first-generation student, that's definitely something that I experienced,” says Galván, who earned her master’s degree in Latin American and Latinx Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. “I thought I wasn't good enough to attend college, much less graduate school.”
The best way to overcome these doubts and fears? Directly confront them, Galván says.
“One exercise I found helpful was to unpack why I felt like I didn't belong,” she says. “I asked myself, ‘Who does impostor syndrome serve?’ And the reality is, it doesn’t serve anyone.”
Think back on how you’ve overcome previous academic and personal challenges and know you’ll be able to rely on that same resilience to persevere in grad school. And, of course, you can always reflect on your bachelor’s diploma when you need an extra shot of confidence.
2. Expand Your Network
Your parents might not have completed college degrees and gone on to graduate school, but chances are you know someone who did.
Maybe it’s a coworker or a friend — or a friend of a friend. Finding someone with grad school experience could be as simple as going on social media and posting about your interest in graduate study. Be sure to mention the field you’re considering and the schools or programs you’re targeting.
Once you’ve found someone who’s been there and done that, consider asking them for an informational Zoom interview, or if you're local, for a conversation over coffee. Most professionals enjoy sharing about their career and are happy to help.
“I tell students to go on LinkedIn and reach out to people who are doing the work you’re interested in and seeing if they'd be willing to talk to you,” said Jerry Vasquez, a graduate adviser in the Department of Electrical Engineering at UW Bothell. “I think many people are open to talking about their experience in grad school and beyond.”
Learning about the experiences of others can not only boost your confidence during your grad school application process; it can also give you a jump-start on growing your professional network in the field. These connections could prove quite valuable after you finish your graduate degree and start looking for your next career move.
3. Find a Grad School Accountability Partner
If you tend to procrastinate — an issue often compounded by a lack of confidence — one way to combat it is to find an accountability partner.
In this case, your accountability partner could be someone who's also applying to graduate school, or perhaps preparing for another complex application, such as for grant funding. You can then share your application schedule, major tasks and milestones ahead (writing your personal statement, pursuing letters of recommendation, etc.) and offer support along the way.
“You can encourage each other; you can check in and ask, ‘Hey, how’s your personal statement coming?’” Galván notes.
She adds that if you can’t find someone who is also working on an application, it’s a good idea to ask a friend or family member to support you: “For someone stressed out about deadlines, it’s helpful to have someone who cares for you check in regularly, just to see how you're doing.”
4. Research Funding Opportunities
Let’s face it: graduate school is expensive. If you’ll welcome all the financial help you can get, make sure you leave no stone unturned when looking for funding.
As a first-gen student, you may be eligible for certain scholarships and grants that are specifically designed for your circumstances. You can search scholarship sites and databases using the keyword “first-generation” to find these types of funding opportunities.
You may want to research if there are any tuition assistance programs at your place of work. You may also find that your intended grad school offers special programs to help grad students locate funding once they are admitted, like the Graduate Funding Information Service at the UW.
5. Find Your People on Campus
One positive trend for first-generation students is that there's much more support today than existed a decade or two ago. There’s even a National First-Generation College Celebration that occurs annually in November, sponsored by the Center for First-Generation Student Success.
If you don't have academic support from your family, then maybe you have it from these groups, where you can connect with people who’ve taken a similar path.
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Claudia Villa Moore, first-generation grad, UW Master of Science in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs
As you inquire about grad programs, you're likely to find that many universities have stepped up their outreach efforts to first-gen students: “There’s definitely a growing prioritization of this population,” Galván says.
The three campuses that make up the University of Washington offer a variety of different resources and community connections for first-generation students.
And building a supportive network can make a huge difference when things get tough. It’s important to be able to talk to other first-gen students who are going through similar experiences or who have been there in the past, says Villa Moore, a the first-gen student who earned her Master of Science in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs from the UW.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to support,” says Villa Moore, who now works in the biotech industry. “If you don't have academic support from your family, then maybe you have it from these groups, where you can connect with people who’ve taken a similar path. They can be there to help guide you and answer questions.”
6. Become an Inspiration
If earning a graduate degree seems too daunting or difficult at first, remember that the experience can pay off in the long run — not just for your own life and career, but for those you might inspire.
“I’m not just doing grad school for me; I’m doing it for my family and community. That’s my driving force,” says Galván, who grew up as the daughter of farmworkers in eastern Washington and is now pursuing a doctorate in education.
“There’s not that many first-generation women of color with doctoral degrees,” she adds. “I want to be able to help my community and inspire others, who can then help people in their community.”
Learn More
Want to discover more helpful content about the grad school process? Check out our go-to guide for applying to graduate school for links to additional articles.