1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general?
I'm the first person in my immediate family to get an undergraduate degree and the first person in my whole family to try for a master's degree. My dad didn't graduate from high school and was a farmer in rural North Dakota and currently is a boilermaker and my mom worked for a newspaper until she was laid off last summer.
2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant?
I had to figure out everything when I applied to my undergrad schools on my own because my parents didn't understand the process and I'm having to do that again but with obviously more intense applications. My parents have always been very supportive and helped me as much as they could but I've had to master doing FAFSA and all of the other frustrating paperwork that comes with applying to schools. My family also sometimes seems to think of school as only a part-time thing even when you're full-time and taking 18 credits. Because of this, I've worked at least two jobs throughout college.
3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant?
I haven't heard from any schools yet but I just applied for three with 1/15 deadlines and I'm applying for another with a 3/1 deadline so we'll see. I graduated last month from college with International Relations and Journalism with a good GPA and I have great experience that can go toward my field. I've worked at a city newspaper for two and a half years, studied in Egypt and have done two really awesome media related research projects including one on human trafficking in Minnesota and another as a documentary on a Navajo Code Talker. So here's hoping! I'm a little nervous about getting accepted. :/
4) What has helped you reach your educational goals?
My motivation. I found my passion and can't see myself doing anything else.
