Yale Foot Experience

[foot2011]

<p>I’m doing FOOT, the 4 day trip to the Berkshires. I was wondering if anyone had any experiences of it they wanted to share. What do you do on the trip or talk about? </p>

<p>According to this article, it is an elite trip for wealthy and upper-middle class white people. As a lower-middle class Phillipino with no camping experience, would I not fit in? On your trip, how diverse did you find the people to be? </p>

<p>[The</a> Yale Herald Blog Archive FOOT offers rite of passage for freshmen](<a href=“yaleherald.com”>yaleherald.com)</p>

[Kdog044]

<p>I guess my son is in trouble then. He is white, but we are definitely NOT wealthy or upper middle class and he has ZERO camping experience. He is on the 4 day Appalachian Trail trip. Seriously, I think you will have a blast bonding with your new classmates so just relax and tak it all in.</p>

[nne718]

<p>One could argue that Yale in general is a place for wealthy and upper-middle class white people. It’s just something you have to get used to. I’m black and not even close to upper-middle class with no camping experience and am doing it.</p>

[vicariousparent]

<p>As the article itself says, these are stereotypes that FOOT is working hard to get past, and people like yourself are going to prove wrong. The entire Yale student body is stereotyped by the outside world as preppy and white upper middle class, but you probably already know this is not true. Quoting from your linked article: </p>

<p>

According to Dennis Howe, JE ’11, a member of FOOT’s diversity committee, “Most of what we did this year was try to increase awareness about the FOOT application process in sectors of the Yale population that might not know too much about it.” Howe notes that, as part of this initiative, “Cultural Connections [CC] leaders encouraged their freshmen to apply for FOOT and FOOT leaders encouraged our freshmen to apply for CC.” In regard to economic diversity, FOOT offers generous financial aid to participants, although it remains the most expensive pre-orientation program. And, in general, FOOT seeks a “diversity of leadership styles, personality, and interests,” says Howe.

</p>

<p>Edited to add: My daughter, a sophomore who had no prior camping experience, went on FOOT and even though she had selected the easiest trip, was placed into a moderate trip because of space limitations. She loved the trip and did not find it too challenging. Her FOOT group keeps in touch during the year by getting together periodically for dinner in one of the residential colleges.</p>

[splat11]

<p>Yale is hardly white. It is a very diverse student body. Although there are some weathly families that have kids that go there.</p>