First Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students: A Comparison of High School and Postsecondary Experiences

Using data from a nationally representative cohort of 2002 high school sophomores, this brief provides an updated look at background and educational characteristics (e.g., educational expectations, plans for taking the SAT/ACT,2 2 The SAT and ACT are college entrance examinations. and cumulative high school grade point average [GPA]), planning for college, postsecondary enrollment, and postsecondary completion patterns of two groups of students: first-generation college students and continuing-generation college students with at least one parent with a bachelor’s degree or a higher level of educational attainment. These descriptions of first-generation college students (students whose parents do not have any postsecondary education experience) offer a portrait of this important group of students and highlight variation within the group. The brief also explores how postsecondary plans, attendance, and completion may vary between first-generation college students and their peers whose parents have college degrees. These comparisons indicate the extent to which first-generation college students differ from students whose parents have a bachelor’s degree or a higher level of educational attainment. In addition, the brief presents student-reported information regarding the reasons why some 2002 high school sophomores who were postsecondary enrollees did not obtain a credential by 2012.