) But, if you look at the granular details, that's 3% of everybody who applied. If you have high GPA, requisite test scores, and leadership / sports / academic activities beyond just going to school and doing well, it's more like 30%. So, being "book smart" is great but did you also take advantage of opportunities that were available in your community/area? All good stuff, you are correct.(Not to belabor the point, but my post probably does
Education is the great equalizer... if people will embrace it. Education is the one thing that can't be taken away from you (money, power, etc can all be removed/lost). In some other countries (I'm looking at you UK & India & China, and all over Africa), education is many times reserved for the "privileged".
Little known fact: if your family income is <$100K and your kid gets accepted to an Ivy League or MIT-level school, they're probably going to get a full ride - no loans, nothing to pay back - a totally free elite education. The "average" elite school actual cost of attendance is actually less than going to a public and paying out of pocket. Of course, that free ride assumes you get in and your family income is <100K and is one of the 3% accepted
As I've mentioned previously, Bama offers probably the absolute best scholarship for National Merit with high ACT/SAT scores ... 5 years tuition, 4 years housing + bunch of other stuff. USCw offers 1/2 tuition, Oklahoma State and a handful of others are pretty good, too. Ivys don't do merit because they assume everybody who gets accepted is worthy. Most schools are now just needs-based financial assistance. But then there are departmental or corporate or individual scholarships that are available.
Of course, a kid has to do the actual work but encouraging them to do the best work they can (and not demanding high scores, etc.) is the best method in our experience. Tons of programs all over that are there to help families to get kids involved but you have to start preparing before 12th grade
Our daughter wrote down a plan in 7th grade on what classes she would be taking 9-12 to have the best opportunity to get into the best schools and have the best GPA possible. But then we made sure she also took advantage of sports, community service things, after school activities, etc. She wanted to do these but it also took some sacrifice on our part. She also advocated for herself at school to get into harder/better classes (without us even knowing) when she didn't feel like the one she was placed in was correct. but then there were things that she procrastinated on that we had to stay on top of her to get done. So, it takes both foresight and persistence, as well. It also takes a school that prioritizes things that matter over things that don't.
A little update here. Lily has now heard back from all 10 schools ..... and she got accepted to all 10! UF (a.k.a. Bazza University) just notified her. She has also secured a full ride via the Bright Futures scholarships, and all the schools have also offered her scholarships on top of this. Now we are weighing the pros and cons of the various nursing schools. Very proud of this girl!Lily finished applying to the nursing programs at 10 colleges (yes, she overdid it) a few weeks ago. With the Bright Futures scholarship, she will more than likely go to a public state university. But, she did apply to a couple of out-of-state schools (Bama and UAB) and one private university (Miami).
The results so far: she's 6 for 6. She's been accepted to Bama, UAB, U of North Florida, U of Central Florida, Florida International U, and Florida Atlantic U. All the schools have offered her scholarships as well.
Still waiting to hear from the three AAU schools (Florida, South Florida, and Miami) and Florida State. Florida apparently doesn't do rolling admissions, so she won't know about this one until the Spring. The others should let her know if the next few weeks.
Good job, Lily!
Man this is great news. It is good to have options. Congratulations!A little update here. Lily has now heard back from all 10 schools ..... and she got accepted to all 10! UF (a.k.a. Bazza University) just notified her. She has also secured a full ride via the Bright Futures scholarships, and all the schools have also offered her scholarships on top of this. Now we are weighing the pros and cons of the various nursing schools. Very proud of this girl!
A little update here. Lily has now heard back from all 10 schools ..... and she got accepted to all 10! UF (a.k.a. Bazza University) just notified her. She has also secured a full ride via the Bright Futures scholarships, and all the schools have also offered her scholarships on top of this. Now we are weighing the pros and cons of the various nursing schools. Very proud of this girl!
Awww, thanks Bazza!Congratulations to Lily and her parents.....what an inspiration! I know how proud you must be, Bodhi.....so nice, buddy.......happy for ya!
THAT'S AWESOME! Congrats to Lily & her parents' walletA little update here. Lily has now heard back from all 10 schools ..... and she got accepted to all 10! UF (a.k.a. Bazza University) just notified her. She has also secured a full ride via the Bright Futures scholarships, and all the schools have also offered her scholarships on top of this. Now we are weighing the pros and cons of the various nursing schools. Very proud of this girl!
Fantastic news!A little update here. Lily has now heard back from all 10 schools ..... and she got accepted to all 10! UF (a.k.a. Bazza University) just notified her. She has also secured a full ride via the Bright Futures scholarships, and all the schools have also offered her scholarships on top of this. Now we are weighing the pros and cons of the various nursing schools. Very proud of this girl!
JT, I meant to ask what discipline is your son/daughter planning to pursue? Singing? Composing? A musical instrument? Lily has been taking piano lessons for a couple of years. She's ok at it. She can play, but is not overly passionate about it. At least she got her musical skill from my wife and not me. My skills with the piano/trumpet/guitar has been described as "slightly better than pedestrian."
Choral music education. They have a fantastic voice, and a real passion not just for music, but for teaching music. Here they are at senior recital:JT, I meant to ask what discipline is your son/daughter planning to pursue? Singing? Composing? A musical instrument? Lily has been taking piano lessons for a couple of years. She's ok at it. She can play, but is not overly passionate about it. At least she got her musical skill from my wife and not me. My skills with the piano/trumpet/guitar has been described as "slightly better than pedestrian."
Very impressive young woman. Good job, dad, on the early morning routine to help her out.
