I just joined these forums, so I probably still have more questions to ask that are not in my head now as of this moment and might not be mentioned in the OP. Excuse me if I do that.
-Does being the first child of the first generation of immigrants in the U.S. affect one’s chances of getting into colleges somehow?
-I currently go to one of the top ranked high schools in the nation (in MCPS), and I feel that this school definitely has a bit of grade deflation going on (as in classes are tougher and more rigorous compared to other schools, most students and teachers in this school agree as well). Would colleges notice this? Would out of state colleges notice this as well as in state colleges that are already familiar with the school?
First generation helps put your application in context, which helps you.
The college admissions officer will be specific to your area and familiar with your school, especially if it is highly rated.
Your test scores matter. I with I had a dollar for every student talking about how tough their HS is and how much grade deflation there is, but then don’t have great test scores which could validate that claim.
There’s a lot of people who are first gen. Americans now, sure it may help with context but at the end of the day, GPA and ECs speak louder than any situational context your profile may have. Try to make the best of your surroundings and use them to your advantage. Best of luck @MrMillennial