Ignore that imposter syndrome. Ignore the impulse to compare yourself to everyone around you particularly when they had parents and family members to guide them through college based on their own experience. You did the work to get here and you should be proud of what you have and will accomplish. Go Blue always!
Farah Pitcher
Share Your Story
I transferred from Lansing Community College to the University of Michigan in 2020 and quite frankly, I was shocked at my acceptance. I started at a community college based on financial constraints and as a way to ease into college life after high school; I knew I wanted to attend a four year university but without much guidance I struggled to determine which program would be the best for me. I was extremely blessed to be accepted to Michigan and I was able to find myself over the next couple of years while I finished my undergraduate degree. Following my participation in the PPIA Junior Summer Institute at the Ford School, I saw a career pathway forward that was informed by both my lived experiences as a first generation student and my passion for having an impact in policy that works for marginalized communities. Now, as a graduate public policy student, I am extremely grateful for the doors that Michigan has opened for me and the amazing people I have been able to form bonds with. If you would have told me five years ago that I was going to get a masters degree, particularly in a field I didn’t know specifically existed, I would have called you crazy. I didn’t know this was an option for me, but I can’t be more proud of myself for making it this far and learning so much about myself throughout the process.
Your advice for other First-Gen students
Ignore that imposter syndrome. Ignore the impulse to compare yourself to everyone around you, particularly when they had parents and family members to guide them through college based on their own experience. You did the work to get here and you should be proud of what you have, and will, accomplish. Go Blue always!