To First Generation Students and Parents
Dear students and parents of students who will be the first in the family to graduate from a four-year college,
I was the first of my family to go to a four-year university, and while I did my college tours without my parents, I didn't get there alone.
My mom couldn't do many steps of this process with me, because it was my journey and there were many things she didn't know, but she supported me as best she could. While I'm still grateful for my dad's support, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my mother, who filled out financial aid forms in her second language and spent late nights searching online for resources to make sure I didn't graduate with a ton of debt.
Over fifteen years later, I'm in a position to help students like me and parents like my mom. So parents and first-gen students, please do NOT apologize for asking a 'silly' or 'basic' question. There is NO SUCH THING. This is my everyday job, but it is not yours. You're supporting each other on a road you've never traveled before. You're amazing.
It's not silly to ask what resources we have to support students: Let's chat about office hours - they're a time to chat with a class professor whether it's because a student is confused by an idea raised in class or wants to learn even more about it. Many colleges will have something like the STAAR Center where students can join a study group for Biology 13, get help finessing their essays or navigating a syllabus and online study. Finally, at Tufts we have the FIRST Resource Center where students can find community and support from students like them and staff who can tell them about opportunities and resources at Tufts.
It isn't a basic question to ask what the admission evaluation process looks like at each college.
It is completely fine to ask where you might find specific information on our website, or what goes on during a college visit.
It isn't a problem to ask me how you might get an estimate of what Tufts might cost for your family.
ASK AWAY. You can speak to an admissions officer by giving us a call, emailing us, or attending an interactive session online.
My dad may have been the one who got all teary when I went across the stage, but it's my mom who I was most proud to share my graduation cap. お母さん、本当にありがとう。[Mom, thank you SO much.]
