Have you ever thought about the difficulties of getting into the college OF YOUR CHOICE?
Here's the deal. I'm a passionate, multi-faceted girl who has talent [This isn't conceit... this is justifiable truth], drive, and the thirst for more. I work hard, I put my everything into those things I care about, and I'm mature. I'd love--LOVE--to go to Columbia. As in, New York City. As in, TOP DOLLAR. And I can't afford 56 thousand a year.
But it's my dream school!
Mom keeps telling me to go to UTK, Austin Peay, Maryville, ETSU... a state school. "You could pay your way through easily! You'll get the lottery scholarship." Now, don't get me wrong... I have nothing against state schools. And honestly, UT has a great broadcasting program. The problem with a state school is this: it's not where I want to go. None of those schools inspire me to work hard to get in... I know I'll get in. None of them make me smile, just thinking about them. Not a single one. So why would I waste my time?
I'm a member of FastWeb.com. The scholarship website? It hooked me up with ProgressiveU, which is great... this really is my kind of thing. I love to write. And the scholarship opportunities they send out are numerous. They're fabulous. Amazing. Marvelous, fantastic, splendid...
But here's the rub. I barely have time to finish my homework every night, let alone write 117 short stories or 226 essays... so how does this fit in?
I had lunch with an old friend of mine. She's quite a bit older, and she's always told me, "Megan, you can do anything with your life if you just strive for success... and girl, I know you've got what it takes."
So she's inspired me to try for some of those essay contests, the short story competitions, poetry scholarships. Why not, right? If I rearrange my schedule, maybe, just maybe, it might pay off. And I could make 56 thousand, times however many years I'm in school. Right?
It's difficult. So does anyone have any suggestions? How does a kid who's pressed for time apply for a million different applications? And HOW can I POSSIBLY edit all the essays and stories?
Am I just crazy for trying?
I'm soooo with you on this one. I have a kick-ass resume, but I'm just not getting the money I need to go where I want to go. I'm also on fastweb, which is why i ended up here. I'm sorry this is such a hard situation, but one thing I can tell you is that you need to get on the phone with an admissions counselor at columbia and explain your situation. I'm assuming you're a senior like me, and if that's the case, do it as soon as possible. You have NOTHING to lose. Explain how you think columbia is your idea school but you just can't afford it without more help. My sister got an extra 7k a year this way, and that school's tuition was nearly half of columbia's. I'm telling you though, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
...or I'd really be screwed!
I'm actually just a junior, but I've been working incredibly hard since freshman year to get a little money stored up, and after all the hard work, I still only have a couple of thousand in the bank. Now, it's nothing to shrug my shoulders at, but 3 or 4 thousand doesn't help much when you want to go to a school like Columbia.
I really appreciate the advice!! I guess it's something to think about... the admissions counselor and the board have hearts... and possibly knowing just how DESPERATELY someone wants in their school, and seeing that the student is willing to work for it... might make all the difference in the world.
I wish you the best of luck... hopefully, you'll be able to get all the money you need... and hopefully, I'll be able to do the same!! =]
You're not crazy. You're in the same boat as I am -- only I want to go to University of Florida and transfer to UNC Chapel Hill after two years.
Columbia is amazing, definitely worth it.
It's so tough to juggle everything, I do school, track (year-round,) homework, Humane Society, Key Club, and I write for the school newspaper and a local newspaper.
It sucks, it's rough. Sometimes you just want to give up.
All the advice I really have is don't give up, put the extra effort in, and it will pay off.
I promise.
Thank you!!
I'm hoping that's the case. And you're right--Columbia is MORE than worth it. It's a school to [literally] die for, in the case of broadcasting... and for someone such as myself who wants to be a news anchor on CNN one day, the impressive name and the experience of New York would only be a bonus.
Good luck on getting the money for your dream schools!! You sound like you really won't have a problem. =]
I agree! You didn't even mention the chances of actually receiving one of those scholarships. It seems that half of them want the ideal person. I don't know if you have a tale of how you saved children from a burning building or if you started a program at your school & significantly help a charity, but I haven't. It's so disheartening. I'm definitely not conceited, but I know how smart I am. I'll get into schools, but have no way to pay either. I also won't get scholarships because I'm in that grey area where I'm not extremely well-off, but I'm not poor. Bah!
Precisely! And there-in lies the problem.
How can the regular, average American student get the money they need for scholarships--if they can't WIN the scholarships?!
It's like there's a bias against us.