Claire Oven
Share Your Story
I come from an extremely small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When you live in a place with limited opportunities for learning and growth, it can be very easy to give up on yourself and assume that you don’t have a chance at going to college, let alone a huge university. I didn’t have any help figuring out how to apply to college or how to make myself stand out in a place where everyone is coming from a school where they were the smartest kid in the class. I had to deal with a lot of rejection from competitive clubs and organizations, which I was not used to at all. I had trouble adjusting to my new life here, where I knew no one. I basically had to start over, completely from scratch. I quickly realized that I could not assume defeat. I had made it so far, and just getting accepted into the University of Michigan was such a blessing for me. If I take a closer look at my life, I can see all the amazing people and opportunities I have been given. Even though it can be hard to admit to myself sometimes, I am so proud of the person and the student I have become because of this university and my experiences while being on campus. I am so excited to continue to grow and thrive as I finish my degree.
Your advice for other First-Gen students
Don’t fall victim to imposter syndrome!! It’s important to remember that there is a place for you at this university. It can take time to figure out exactly where you belong, especially at an age when a lot of things are changing, and a lot of growth is taking place. There are so many people here who share your interests and values, even when it sometimes feels like you are alone. There are so many people looking forward to seeing you shine, whether it be people from back home where you are from or the people you have yet to meet.