As I mentioned a few months ago, some schools recently launched “class confessions” projects aimed at raising awareness about socioeconomic class. I recently read a few confessions on the Claremont Colleges confessions page and wanted to share a few of them because they resonated with me in a lot of ways.
Confession #114: I have spent 1.5 years at Trinity and I feel like all I have done is disappoint people. For those students (especially Questbridge Finalists) who are obsessed with only getting into a top college, I was once like you. I neglected my social development to ensure that I could achieve the grades and test scores to get into a good college with a top financial aid/scholarship package) – so that my parents’ hard work (often for very little) throughout the years could have meant something and I would make sure that my parents wouldn’t have spend more hours working minimum wage to provide me with an education. Read more.
Confession #105: I’m beginning to get why you don’t see as many poor/low-income/working-class students in social justice organizations on campus. I recently had to spend over a $100 to put out an event. I put it all on my credit card because I just don’t have any money. Read more.
Confession #76: At what cost? Would you rather attend a 5C as a low-income, first generation student who went to a low quality public school, receive generous financial aid and scholarships, and get low grades (because of under academic preparedness, culture shock, etc.)? Or would you rather attend a lower ranked school as a low-income, first generation student who went to a low quality public school, receive little financial aid and scholarships, and get high grades (because the academic rigor might be easier and you can connect with more people with the same background as you)? Read more.
These are topics we don’t talk about very often, but are necessary on every college campus.
First Generation Students 