<p>If acting is your dream, would you possibly be interested in a school that offers a BFA in acting?</p>
<p>Thanks fermata! Owlice, I do know there requirements but I get to pick my courses. In high school you do not get to pick your courses and have to take World History, Physics, etc. At SR you have options for a science course such as Marine Bio. You don’t have to take a certain science class. That’s what I liked about it. Also, I really do not qualify for the other scholarships they have. I am not a minority and my parents are not poor. I also do not live in Mass. </p>
<p>Arab: I have always liked NYU’s BFA. I just haven’t found that school which has a BFA which is good for me yet. I do like Chapman’s BFA in Screen Acting, but it’s new and not well known.</p>
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<p>Great name. :)</p>
<p>LOL heyalb, :)</p>
<p>Early_College, just a few tips. I hope you listen, because I intuit so doing could change your life.
You have to learn to be happy where you’re at before you can be happy where you’re going : )
I am a parent, but one of my best friends in high school did something similar to what you’re considering. The exception was that he was a math genius with stats off the chart and was widely courted. Early College was an experience that nearly destroyed him, in part because as brilliant as he was, he had not matured sufficiently to “fit” with his peers and integrate into the environment. It took him four years in the work world to recover enough to take another shot. His perceptions about himself and his capabilities were that badly shattered, and he’d not yet developed the coping skills that come with a few more years (and sometimes a little more heartbreak.)</p>
<p>Do not underestimate what you have left to master before spending your family’s money on a possibly doomed academic pursuit:
- You need to master being happy inside your skin and inside your present moment. It is a state of mind and it does not rely on changing your scenery.
- Interesting people are “interested.” If you’re not “interested” in your HS classes, consider who you are being about it and what kind of contribution you’re making to the class. The do something different inside your class contributions to make a difference.
- College and scholarship programs of every type look for students who demonstrate a passion for learning, who aim to fully develop their potential, who will make a contribution to their program, and who create themselves within a highly disciplined framework. The comments you keep making on this thread do not seem to demonstrate a fully-formed self-discipline or actual passion for learning. This is something you can grow into once you get straight with yourself about creating happiness in your “now.”</p>
<p>I wish you the best and hope you are able to find happiness where you ARE. Then you will REALLY enjoy the excitement as your future unfolds.
Cheers,
K</p>
<p>AEP awards cover “up to the full cost of tuition”. It used to cover room and board as well, but they stopped including that a few years ago. Apparently full tuition scholarships given through AEP are now given in honor of Elizabeth Blodgett Hall, the school’s founder, and her husband, Livingston Hall. I’m sure SR admissions could provide more information about the number and dollar amounts of scholarships awarded, whether this has been affected by the state of the economy, and other means of financial support. The truth is, regardless of what college one applies to and whether it is an early college such as SR or not, the costs of attending are high, and it is a struggle for most people to find a way to meet the need. For a 15 year old to be tackling this issue at all must be daunting, but it is a laudable effort and I applaud early_college’s efforts to research the possibilities.</p>
<p>The original question was about affording college and SR in particular, and specifically about “outside scholarships” which might be available for younger students (rather than the traditional awards given to high school seniors). I am not aware of any of these, but I still think checking with SR admissions and financial aid would be the place to start, and they may have suggestions. Barring that, if you really want to go to Simon’s Rock, you should first visit the campus, talk to as many people as possible, and then apply. If you are accepted and the financial aid does not work out to your satisfaction, then you will need to make another plan and attend a different school, or stay in high school, or find some other path you haven’t thought of yet. As long as you remain open to all possibilities and are able to keep this in perspective, pursuing an opportunity at SR could lead you in an unexpected direction, whether you ultimately attend SR or not. Every year countless applications are sent to colleges (and for that matter, private high schools) across the country and with that come many rejections, and many decisions to forgo one college in favor of another due to financial concerns. Personally, I think it is helpful to always have as many options as possible to choose from.</p>
<p>Thanks kmc and Fermata! I will def listen your feedback and will ask SR about outside scholarships. I will also ask my counselor at my school when I go back. If SR does not work out, it wasn’t meant to be. I will stay in high school and <em>may</em> apply to other early entrance programs such as Sarah Lawrence. KMC I will def keep what you said in mind. :)</p>
<p>I think the FIRST thing you should do is sit down with your parents to figure out 1.) what your EFC is likely to be; 2.) how much they will contribute to college (not how much they are able to, but rather, how much they actually will). You do NOT have to wait to do that, and it is one of the first steps you should take. You can do that now; no need to wait until school is back in session.</p>
<p>If they cannot contribute any money to your college expenses, or contribute very little, you need to know that before you do anything else.</p>
<p>I want to throw something out here:</p>
<p>I personally was not happy in high school and I opted to graduate early and go on to a regular college, at age 16. Things worked out well for me but in hindsight, I do not feel it was a good decision. In a nutshell, I felt that I gave up a part of my youth that I could never get back. </p>
<p>But I do know what it feels like to be 15, frustrated & wanting a change!</p>
<p>My daughter was far more precocious and mature than I ever was… so I wasn’t surprised when she also started chafing and feeling restless at her school. But she opted for something different: a foreign exchange. It was quite an adventure and a life-changing experience. I also think it was a + factor a year later for college admissions – not quite a “hook” but something that set her apart in the application process.</p>
<p>A foreign exchange can be arranged at a fairly moderate cost through organizations like Rotary, but even through the more expensive organizations it is far less than the COA at a college like BARD – probably about $15K for a year-long exchange, around $10K for a semester. I’d advise a senior, year-long exchange – but my daughter opted to go in fall semester of her junior year. </p>
<p>One nice thing is that your GPA doesn’t matter so much – unless you are competing for a handful of available scholarships, it isn’t particularly selective – the organizations screen more for personality factors (they want kids who are independent-natured and will be able to handle a few setbacks or surprises without freaking out). </p>
<p>Do look into that option - it really can expand your world, and costs a lot less than Simon’s Rock. I don’t get the sense from any of your posts that you have a strong academic passion or really have the “college” mindset right now-- I just get the sense that you are feeling your current high school experience isn’t giving you what you want. </p>
<p>I think that Simon’s Rock serves a very useful function for some students, but there is an opportunity cost when you opt for early college – you are giving up the opportunity to choose from a much broader array of colleges that will be available to you when you apply as a graduating senior.</p>
<p>Thanks Owlice I would be sure to do that ASAP.</p>
<p>CalMom- Thanks for your post. I always try my best in school and give everything 100%. I may not get all A’s, but I do my best in the honors and the AP classes. I was actually looking at NYU Tisch’s program in Dublin for acting. I could apply for that soon and go the summer of 2010. It is about 10k and you get college credit. I would like to do a foreign exchange program, but whenever I told my mother about something like that she doesn’t think it is safe to even visit some countries these days. I am def. not happy with my life as of now, I’m not nearly depressed but high school is suppose to be the best years of your life. I have no family here and they’re all back in Florida and I have some family in NY. I really do not like the South, though it is pretty here and I don’t like the humity of Florida. I would love to go abroad to Sicily or Italy. I am part Italian/Sicilian and would like to visit my culture. I would also like to visit France, Switzerland (sp?), Poland, etc. I want to go to Simon’s Rock to have a head start but experience new things. I don’t know how I would fit in socially, I do not have much friends with pink hair but I want a new life. I know I like a liberal arts education, because I love one on one attention and small classes. I tend to do better when I get more attention and more focus on me. If I would have stayed in South Florida, I could have went to a top arts school in Theater or Journalism. It was a top public high school in the nation too. I almost went to live with my grandmother, but I couldn’t apply since I had to live in that county for 8th grade. She also lives in a 50 plus community, so I would have had to hide there. My mom also didn’t want to give up her guardian ship and I don’t know if she is ready for me to go, which seems like a problem for SR. I am going to discuss it more and haven’t really discussed fin. aid. The best thing for my family would for me to go to UGA and get a free education. Thanks everyone for your time. I also am planning on taking the PSAT for the 1st time in October and may take the ACT too in October. I’m not the greatest test taker, so I don’t know how I will do.</p>
<p>early_college, I disagree with those who say you need to find a way to be happy in high school, and I can’t imagine why you think high school “should be the happiest time in your life.” I hated high school, loved college. Both my kids were homeschooled, but did take selected courses on a part-time basis at the high school - and while it served a purpose for them, they mostly thought it was a dreadful place (and this is one of the award winning high schools). High school and high school culture is not for everyone, nor should you be made to feel like there’s something wrong with you for wanting to get out of it.</p>
<p>My daughter started college full-time at 16. She just finished up her first year. It’s been a great option for her. She’s on the President’s List with a 4.0, she’s transfering to the honors college of the state flagship school next fall. To address some of the points other posters have made, I too thought it was a bit too young to leave home, plus money is a factor for us, so she did her first year at the state university here and lived at home. That turned out to be a much better decision for her than putzing around for a couple more years before starting college. She has been involved in various activities at the college and has not had any difficulty making friends.</p>
<p>As for the acting ambition, I know a lot about that area of work, and I’ll tell you going to a certain school or a certain program is not what will make you successful. Talent is talent, and while it can be developed, it can’t be created. And if you are lucky enough to have it, it can be developed in many, many schools, programs, or even independent classes depending on where you live. Don’t feel like there’s one certain place (or even a few) that is the ticket to a career. It is flat-out not true. I have been close to this business for a long time, and I honestly don’t know one single working actor who went to any special prep program. Most went to 4 year universities with decent theater programs and then went on to grad school. I’m not saying there aren’t successful actors with a Simon Rock-type of background, but I’ve never met one. It is, at the very least, uncommon.</p>
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<p>IMO, you shouldn’t do ANYthing until you have discussed going away to college and college funding with your parents. EVERYthing else hinges on 1.) your parents letting you go early; 2.) how much they will contribute to your college costs.</p>
<p>You need to know whether they will let you go – they may think you are not mature enough to go, or may not want you so far away – and they may not be able to contribute what you are hoping they will contribute. </p>
<p>You can talk to them now, and you can do the FAFSA forecasting now. Those are your first order of business.</p>
<p>Is there a college with in easy commuting distance of your home? In the state of Georgia, you can attend the local college (whether a directional state u, Emory, Tech) with the HOPE scholarship. You are still listed as a high school student, but can take all your classes at the college. Many kids in our area do it, if UGA or Tech is the goal since they accept all the classes. </p>
<p>This would at least solve your high school dilemma. There are, of course, some requirements to get into the program, but your high school counselor should have all the details.</p>
<p>Early_College, go ahead and apply to Simon’s Rock, knowing you will have to hit the scholarship lottery to attend. Then take this summer and start planning what to do if you don’t get to go.</p>
<p>There’s early graduation, homeschooling, and dual enrollment.</p>
<p>Early graduation: Talk to your high school and find out what you need to graduate early. That plan has to be in place in sophomore year in order to have enough credits to graduate as a junior. Know the requirements and take the classes to do it. Study for the PSAT. Sophomore score will count towards NM if you graduate early. Many schools offer big bucks for NMF.</p>
<p>Homeschooling: This is a great thing, if you’re motivated. There are many programs out there and they don’t cost a tremendous amount of money. SOme are online. Find a homeschooling group to help you. You could take some classes at a local college. With a new baby, your folks will be busy and you will have to take the responsibility on for your education. </p>
<p>If there is a College nearby, find out about dual enrollment for High School kids. This is a great way to get college credit and a change from high school. See if you can take a class or 2 this summer.</p>
<p>And if you have to stay in high school for three more years, and even if you leave early, join a club doing something you enjoy. Talk to other kids and make a friend or two. The suckiness factor will go down dramatically.</p>
<p>Good luck to you in whatever happens.</p>
<p>You don’t see yourself learning things you need later because 1) you’re only a freshman, you haven’t even gotten to the meat of high school yet, and 2) you don’t know what you need for your future career until you’re there. I thought I would never use physics and calculus again but they’re rather useful, and I’m a social psychologist! This is why they don’t ask high school students to select most of their classes, because they never know <em>what</em> they’re going to use.</p>
<p>Also, honey, high school is NOT supposed to be the best years of your life…if high school where the best years of my life I’d shoot myself, lol. College was so much better than high school for me, and graduate school is a new challenge still…and I can only imagine what it’ll be like when I get my first job…get married…have children, and raise a family. How is being a pimply 16-year-old supposed to better than all that?!</p>
<p>The best advice here is that you need to talk this all over with your parents. It makes no sense to make all of these plans if your parents won’t even let you go, or can’t afford it. Before you make college plans you need to know what your parents can afford and what they are willing to pay. Like was already noted, there are early college programs in Georgia (Middle Georgia College has one; West Georgia has another) and there are many programs that allow you take classes while you are in high school. But likely not in your sophomore year – you just finished freshman year, so you’ll probably be able to take them when you are a junior.</p>
<p>I do think you need to learn to be happy in high school – and that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to do Simon’s Rock, but because learning to be content with where you are while still striving for better is a big part of growing up. Sometimes we can’t change our circumstances, or it won’t be advantageous for us to do so, and so we must learn not to be miserable and depressed all the time. Anyway, the primary occupation of a 15-year-old is to finish high school! So in the chance that you don’t get into Simon’s Rock, you do need to learn to be happy in high school.</p>
<p>I honestly do not know how much my parents can afford and will need to fill out the form. Though, I do know they cannot afford 50k and def. may be less since my mom is having another child. </p>
<p>In my school you are not aloud to do dual enrollment until your a junior. Also, most of the kids do it at the community college. The credits now are very hard to graduate early and it would be very hard to. I don’t think it is possible and summer school cost a lot of money for just one semester and are just college prep. There are online classes, but I’m better learning and asking questions in person. I did an online tutorial for math and didn’t like it at all. I’m not sure about homeschooling though, I would prob. rather stay in school. I’m already on the varsity swim team, but I just do it for fun. I must say I’m not the best in the state, but it’s good exercise. I just tend not to be competitive and I don’t always want to beat everyone. I’m find with last, as long as I beat my previous score. I may join Drama Club next year, but I tend not to have time since swimming. </p>
<p>I have been wanting to be an actor since I was 6. I use to be in Theater and have been in more than 20 plays. Though, I do not like Theater much anymore and I tend to like film better. My interest in acting switched over from Theater to film acting. It took me a long time to switch over, since I was very theatrical. I kind of lost my interest in Theater, but I’m in Advanced Drama next semester and will be in a play. I would love to be a print journalist or screenwriter too. I wrote to Miep Gies (helped Anne Frank) and it would be my dream to meet her. I tend to like History and may even like to learn more about the Holocaust, since I’m half Jewish. I def. like Language Arts and Social Studies better then Math or Science. I would also like to write for tv shows and movies and work for a travel or arts magazine. I have always wanted to go to LA for acting, but my father can’t just take me to LA and leave the family. </p>
<p>I do know lots of people tend to do better in college though. You get to pick more courses that interested in, while in high school you can’t always do that. West Georgia and Middle Georgia also look like a stretch for me and look only for gifted students. I did like USC’s Residence Honors Program, but that is basically gone from ever happening. </p>
<p>I am also not miserable in high school, I do have friends. I just am different than the average student. I always try my hardest and I am very inquisitive in school. My counselor was telling me that I could go to community college after I graduate high school and then take a certain amount of classes. I would then start college as a sophomore, but that seems only to work if I would stay in Georgia.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone and I appreciate ALL the feedback.</p>
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<p>Or use one of the many many many many online calculators. </p>
<p>To me, it seems you like to dream about going to Simon’s Rock, but aren’t interested in sitting down to figure out whether your family can afford to send you. It would be a LOT easier to take you seriously if you had already run information from your parents through a FAFSA and Profile calculator and talked with your parents about what they will contribute to your college funding.</p>
<p>And I’m sorry, but when I was in high school, I got to pick my courses. I took Dramatic Lit and Early British Lit, Linguistics and American Lit, Microbiology and Genetics in addition to Chemistry and AP Bio, Physics and Psychology, and so on. Some of my friends took Drama and Chorus and Orchestra. Unless you are locked into a rigid special program, it’s very likely that in your large high school, you DO have choices. Sure, maybe you don’t have very many as a freshman, but each year, you have more choices. My son’s large public high school offers a ton of courses!</p>
<p>I’ll agree with Owlice. My kids didn’t have much choice in course selection as Freshmen and Sophomores in high school, but they had PLENTY of choices as juniors and seniors. They took things like music theory, culinary arts, Shakespeare literature, and had their choice of which history, science or math to take. One took precalc, the other took statistics. One took no science after 10th grade…the other took Anatomy/physiology dual enroll at the CC as a senior.</p>
<p>We just haven’t done it, but my dad has told me before an estimate of how much he can put in. I’m going to discuss it more and make it a reality of what we can afford. I could be totally off on what they could or can’t afford. My school offers a lot of electives, but I only can have 2 each year. I have a total of 6 courses and 4 of them are required. I got to choose French and Advanced Drama for next year. I have to have four years of science, math and language arts to graduate and 3 years for social studies. I will have 4 yrs of social studies though, I was in AP Human Geo this year. Here is an example:</p>
<p>AP World History (required)
Honors LA (required)
Advanced Drama (elective)
French I (elective and needed it for college)
Accel Int Geometry (required)
Honors Chemistry (required)</p>
<p>They are also making it a lot harder for my class to graduate. There is only one diploma we can have, but in the previous year there were 3 different types of diploma’s.</p>
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<p>Without haven’t done that, you’re just spinning your wheels. </p>
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<p>From the stats posted online for these schools, they are looking for good students, not gifted students. The required SAT scores are about the average for college-bound students, nothing more.</p>