Grad School - the good, the bad, the ugly.

[tzikeh]

The good: five classes, five weeks in, I'm maintaining my sanity and keeping up with all the work.

The bad: In American History, while prof. is explaining the various Acts imposed by the Crown, including the Quartering Act: "What's a barracks?"

The ugly: In Teaching English as a Second Language, while prof. is explaining that adult ESL students may not know that they can open bank accounts even if they have no social security # / are undocumented - "EW! Is that safe?! What if they all open bank accounts and the banks fail! Now I'm scared for my money!" (Please note: three undocumented students were sitting in the row in front of the speaker.)

Comments

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

The Ugly doesn't make any sense at all. I'm a documented alien with a social security number and I had a hard time getting someone to let me open my first US bank account. The first place turned me down outright, demanding a letter from Social Security to confirm that my social security number was valid (social security lady laughed at me). I ended up opening one with the partner chick's bank, because she was there to be my reference.

And that's in California. I can't imagine that wherever you are is much better.

Not getting it either

[grace-om.livejournal.com]

I'm American, but when I came back to California after living in England for several years I had a terrible time trying to open a bank account. I finally was able to open a credit union account through my job.

Re: Not getting it either

[einatlanta.livejournal.com]

Most Big American Banks won't let you get an account; but small town banks and credit unions generally will. There's no law saying you have to have a SS#, but because Big Banks usually pick up your credit report before letting you in, they want the digits.

Credit Unions were made for people with no credit or who are trying to establish good credit after Bad Things Happen. They're made for people with only a little money, and tend therefore to be more forgiving and helpful. In fact, many credit unions will give you a credit card after just six months of good behavior with them, no matter what the rest of your credit might look like.

/credit union cheer

Re: Not getting it either

[grace-om.livejournal.com]

I had (and have) an excellent credit rating (I was 32 before I moved overseas, had bought cars, had US credit cards etc.). I returned to take up employment with the State of California (and had proof of employment). What I didn't have yet was a CA driver's licence, and *that* was what they choked on (never mind I had a US passport and assorted other legal ID).

And yes, I still use that credit union and have been very happy with it :-)

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

"What's a barracks?"

::cries::

"EW! Is that safe?! What if they all open bank accounts and the banks fail! Now I'm scared for my money!"

::stabs::

And people wonder why I hate them.

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

I was worried when people asked stupid questions like that in college but...grad school?

Although - you still can't top my friend Colleen who didn't know where Canada was.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

you still can't top my friend Colleen who didn't know where Canada was.

...

I don't know whether to say "Thank God!" or "I'm sure I will eventually...."

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it, Colleen was going to be a Kindergarten teacher. You have to go to grad school to get teacher certification, right?

[heresluck]

In most states, it's possible to get certified with only a BA; a lot of my current students are elementary or secondary education majors seeking licensure. Some students do choose to complete a traditional major and get certified later via master's coursework, but it's not necessary.

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

That statement shows such a lack of understanding about economics that it makes even me cringe, and I almost flunked econ last term.