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

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 :-)