Working to Survive
I come from a middle-class family in rural CT. We were comfortable growing up but our relationship with money became strained when my mom lost her job, and I had to learn how to save up and spend wisely. Before coming to Yale, I knew I would have to pay a student income contribution among other expenses, but quickly burned through the money I saved up from my parks and rec job. Yale is expensive! I tried to save money again by staying home the summer after freshman year and working at a bank, but since the SIC doubles after freshman year, I had to pay all of my savings. I then knew that I had to work a lot on campus in order to survive, so sophomore year I got two jobs: a research job and a tutoring job. However, it quickly became apparent that working two jobs, being premed, and being involved in extracurriculars was negatively affecting my grades and mental health. It is extremely difficult attending all of the “optional” review sessions for my premed classes that all of my prep-school educated peers attend when I simply have to spend my time working to survive.
I am extremely grateful for the financial aid Yale gives me, but many of their policies are not doing what they promise! Their recent “changes” to the SIC do not help-- why should I have to pay the full SIC when I am on 95% financial aid? Without the SIC, I would work a job on campus to support my social relationships rather than working to survive. Campus culture would also be much more equalized; many people I know who are on financial aid do not feel comfortable talking about their situations. Many of them who have dreams of pursuing science of medicine have dropped it because it is impossible. I won’t give up on my dreams, but I know that Yale can do so much more to support us.
I am extremely grateful for the financial aid Yale gives me, but many of their policies are not doing what they promise! Their recent “changes” to the SIC do not help-- why should I have to pay the full SIC when I am on 95% financial aid? Without the SIC, I would work a job on campus to support my social relationships rather than working to survive. Campus culture would also be much more equalized; many people I know who are on financial aid do not feel comfortable talking about their situations. Many of them who have dreams of pursuing science of medicine have dropped it because it is impossible. I won’t give up on my dreams, but I know that Yale can do so much more to support us.
