I was the only kid out of six of us to go to college, primarily because my parents could not afford it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
And I finished college because I thought how much it would upset my parents if I didn't.
I went to Marymount College in New York City with a lot of kids whose parents paid their way, and I wouldn't even have thought of asking my parents - they couldn't afford it, not with six kids!
My mom never went to college, but for her own children, getting a great education was not an option.
I grew up with no money. No money. I always struggled and had the sense that there was this other class of people who went to college - this was when I was younger.
It never occurred to me that I wouldn't go to college and have a career - as well as a family - of my own. Both my parents, but especially my mother, encouraged me and led me to believe that it was possible.
My parents started with very little and were the only ones in their families to graduate from college. As parents, they focused on education, but did not stop at academics - they made sure that we knew music, saw art and theatre and traveled - even though it meant budgeting like crazy.
I knew I wanted considerable education so that I wouldn't have to work as hard as my parents.
I didn't even start college until I was 21.
My parents did not pay a cent for my education; they didn't give me a car or furniture - I did that 100% on my own. I had to pay back a lot.
I went to school and made good grades and went to college. So I was afforded an opportunity through my parents' hard work that most people don't have.