Without the Burden
During the college selection process, I knew my family would be able to pay for Yale without financial aid. I simultaneously got offered a full-ride (merit scholarship) to another elite university. In terms of money, my choice was between no aid and full aid. The difference was stark. This was the first time that money played into my life choices in a very concrete way.
I talked to a prospective Yale student about the similar situation he faces: Yale without financial aid, or another elite university with a full merit scholarship. However, the financial factors played a more concrete role in his ultimate decision.
During a recent conversation with my friends, one of his friends said he had a responsibility to use his Yale education to make a lot of money. He was disagreeing with my other friend, who shared my view that you should consider what you love to do, rather than finances. His response struck me. I had not thought about how some of my peers would seek out high-paying careers in order to financially support their families. This was never a concern for me.
My mom was a student at Princeton, where she received a significant sum of financial aid. She held down several student jobs. Today, she is happy to provide the tuition for my college experience, because she wants me to enjoy college without that same burden.
I talked to a prospective Yale student about the similar situation he faces: Yale without financial aid, or another elite university with a full merit scholarship. However, the financial factors played a more concrete role in his ultimate decision.
During a recent conversation with my friends, one of his friends said he had a responsibility to use his Yale education to make a lot of money. He was disagreeing with my other friend, who shared my view that you should consider what you love to do, rather than finances. His response struck me. I had not thought about how some of my peers would seek out high-paying careers in order to financially support their families. This was never a concern for me.
My mom was a student at Princeton, where she received a significant sum of financial aid. She held down several student jobs. Today, she is happy to provide the tuition for my college experience, because she wants me to enjoy college without that same burden.
