Opening Doors: A First-Gen Guide to Confidence and College Apps

The college application process can feel overwhelming. You are trying to make huge decisions about your future while juggling school, jobs, family responsibilities, and everything else life throws your way. It hits even harder when no one in your family has gone through it before. That is the reality many first-generation students face. You are trying to chase a dream while learning the rules of the game at the same time.

Adrian Ramírez grew up in Santa Ana and is now a first-generation student at Harvard studying Government and Philosophy. When we talked, he shared that his parents were the most significant influence in his life. They always told him, “No matter what you do, you’re going to college,” and that belief became his motivation. It shaped his work ethic, his demeanor in school, and his vision for the future. Their trust pushed him into spaces he never expected to enter and helped him connect his goals to the values they instilled in him.

These are the lessons that Adrian says helped him get through the college application process and might help you, too:

1. Be real. Your story matters.

Adrian said everything shifted the moment he stopped trying to sound like every other “strong applicant” and started being honest with himself. Instead of writing to impress someone on the other side of a screen, he wrote about what he cared about, what he struggled with, and what he wanted to become.

Admissions officers, he explained, can always tell when you are trying to fit a mold. “They can tell when you’re faking it.” That is why he encourages students to write with honesty. Not the shiny version of yourself, but your authentic voice; the one that shows your values, your curiosity, and the things that shaped you.

"That’s the story that actually stands out."

2. Stay organized in a way that works for you.

A college access program in Santa Ana played a massive role in helping Adrian stay grounded through the confusion. They taught him to break the process into smaller steps instead of trying to tackle everything at once. That structure helped him breathe.

“Try not doing everything at once. Try to manage yourself.”

He explained that you do not need the perfect color-coded system; these systems are great if they help you, but what matters is using something you will stick with.

He compared college apps to “AP classes on steroids,” because the workload hits hard and fast. While he is still working on using his planner consistently, he has shown improvement in protecting his time. That sometimes meant turning down time with friends to stay home and finish a supplementary essay. He says learning when to say no became just as important as anything he wrote on his application.

3. Take care of yourself. Rest counts too.

Senior year can feel like a never-ending sprint. You are expected to do well in school, lead clubs, write essays, and still function like a normal person. Adrian reminded himself that rest was not a waste of time; it was normal and a part of the process. Breaks kept him from burning out, and he noticed he wrote better. After taking a break, whether short or long, he found he could think clearly and manage stress more efficiently. He makes it clear: taking time to reset is necessary to maintain a strong performance during the college app journey.

4. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Adrian said the college application process can make you feel like you are constantly measuring yourself against people who seem more accomplished or prepared, especially on social media. He reminded himself that every student faces unique obstacles and opportunities. Comparison strips the power from your own story. That mindset allowed him to recognize the strength it took to get to where he is. He focused on his own progress and the effort he put in throughout his high

school career. He remained confident by believing that showing up fully, working hard, and honoring his journey made him enough.

Adrian’s story shows that the first-gen experience during college application season brings both challenges and strengths. His journey proves that support, honesty, and balance can carry you through a process that often feels bigger than you.