First-Gen Connect

  🚨 First-Gen Alert: My Story 🚨 Hey everyone, I’m Kasandra Bucio, and I’m here to share a bit about my journey as a first-generation college graduate. Being the daughter of immigrant parents, my father came to this country in search of a better future for us, while my mother, who grew up in California, didn’t have the opportunity to go to college. For most of my life, I never saw college as an option. The idea of pursuing higher education seemed distant, and I thought I would just work a random job, unsure of what my future held. That all changed when my sister introduced me to college classes while I was still in high school. Fast forward to graduation, and I had earned my Associate’s degree as a high school senior! From there, I attended UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), where I earned my Bachelor’s in Communications. But even as I studied communications, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my true calling was teaching. Today, I’m living my dream as a high school Eng...

  Hey, there future college students!  Applying to college might seem like a big task, but no worries, your first-gen bestie is here to help. If you're applying to any public university in Texas, ApplyTexas is your one-stop application hub. It's easy, and I'll guide you through the process.  Step 1: GO to ApplyTexas.org Step 2: Create your ApplyTexas Account (Tip: Write down your username and password right away) - After you are done creating an account, you will be directed to the dashboard. You are able to see what needs to get done.  Step 3: Answer all of the core questions.  - Make sure to only answer the required questions with the red asteroid ( * )  Step 4: Search for your school of choice  - Make sure to click on the one with the correct semester date - Click on start your application Step 5: Complete application questions - Lastly pay your application fee & Submit test scores - Reach out to your high school's college center to see if...

     Hello and welcome to First-Gen Connect,  your go-to resource for navigating the college journey as a first-generation student! I’m thrilled that you’ve found your way here, and I can’t wait to embark on this exciting adventure with you.     A little about me, my name is Kasandra Bucio, and like many of you, I was the first in my family to attend college. I know firsthand how difficult and scary it can be to enter the world of higher education without the same level of guidance or support that others might have. The confusion, the unknown, the numerous amount of information can sometimes make you feel like you're on your own or you don't belong. But here's the good news, you're not alone! And this is exactly why I created this blog.      What can you expect from First-Gen Connect? First-Gen Connect is all about empowering you with the knowledge, tools, and support you need to succeed in college and beyond. Whether you're just beginning y...