First-in-family students make up a majority of young first-degree students yet face a number of challenges. So they are now the focus of many specific interventions in the UK and the USA. This report looks at the pros and cons of using first-in-family as a key measure of disadvantage. It argues that, while it is an appropriate metric for low-level activity, it is not robust enough for higher stakes initiatives, such as contexualised admissions, where it needs to be supplemented with additional information. The paper ends with some top-level policy recommendations aimed at helping first-in-family students while not limiting the ambitions of others.