I guess it's my turn to be a "freak". No, I don't think I qualify.

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Honestly, looking back at this school year, I must say that I deplored it. I think I've posted this already, but if you didn't know, I'm not like a great amount of you who's involved in band, dance, cheerleading, and all those other ECs that cost a great amount of money. My parents simply couldn't afford it. And I didn't want to waste my time with the choir (even though I have a nice voice) because I had the director before, and let's just say that the class is not at all productive. So my only options this year were Spanish Club and Key Club. Our school's new, and debate and Model UN are coming into effect next year, so hopefully that will benefit me. I tried to do UIL Debate this year without much help, and I didn't qualify at the District Meet. I know I'm a freshman, but I can't help wondering: What can I do to pump up my stats? At this point, I can say that my parents don't support me. My dad has decided to back out of EdiFi (program that could get me financial aid), and my parents always tell me that I'm a spoiled brat who thinks I'm better than everyone else. Honestly, asking to be involved is not a lot. I was going to tutor some students in Spanish, but my mom got upset and told me that I ask for too much, and that if I wanted to tutor, I'd have to drop Spanish and Key Club (which is ridiculous). And I don't think I'm better than everyone else. I just want to fulfill my potential and do things that wil benefit me in the future. Is there something wrong with that? My parents won't even let me be involved in theatre, mainly because they don't like the director. And here's my stats and future plans:</p>

<p>Current Unweigted GPA and Unweighted Rank: 98.875, 2/466 (Hardest classes available)
Positions: Key Club Freshman Class Rep and Spanish Club member.</p>

<p>*And that will be all for my freshman year. For some reason, I feel worthless.</p>

<p>Future plans:</p>

<p>This summer (I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING!): Junior Statesmen Symposia at UT at Austin. Well, if I get accepted. The problem is the money. I don't know if my parents are willing to pay that much. They didn't respond when I brought this up. I need to find the money somehow...</p>

<p>And if my parent's work schedule permits it, I just might be able to volunteer/intern at a nearby law office. </p>

<p>And take me seriously: I'm writing a novel right now. Hopefully it's good enough for a true publication. </p>

<p>Next year: 1st AP Class: AP World History
ECs: Debate, Model UN, Spanish Club, and hopefully I'll be elected as Treasurer of Key Club.</p>

<p>But what I also really want to do is cross country and track... How can I convince my parents to let me do this? They constantly tell me that I'm involved in too much, which right now is complete BS, as you have read in the first lengthy paragraph. They say I'm spoiled, I'm a brat, I'm a snob, and I just want to do these things to put myself on a higher pedestal. Actually, I just want to get out of the house, which I've never been able to do. </p>

<p>And I know I probably won't get into Harvard, Stanford, or Rice, even though it would be phenomenal if I could get in as an undergraduate. It's okay. I want to be a lawyer, and law school provides another opportunity. But can anyone give me advice as to what I can do to convince my parents to realize my aspirations and let me be involved a little more? Thank you. And am I on the right track?</p>

2

<p>You just have to sit down with your parents and let them know that you can handle the additional activities. You sound like you're trying to get the most out of high school that you can, and that's great.</p>

<p>Your parents' disparaging comments disturb me. You really need to talk to them and make it clear that you want to do these things because you want to do them. </p>

<p>You're on the right track.</p>

3

<p>I will try to talk to them, even though I have tried already and they refuse to listen to me. Maybe I can try to establish some things after this summer. I could try to lie and exaggerate that I won't get a scholarship if I don't do sports, but even if they did believe that, they wouldn't really care. My dad's adamant on sending me to UTSA, but I AM NOT getting good grades just so I can go to a school with a 99% admission rate. Thanks for your feedback.</p>

<p>*And does anyone know how "hard" it is to get into JSA? I have the application, and I don't know exactly what I should put for academic achievements, this year being so disappointing and all...</p>

4

<p>I sooo want to go to JSA. but i'm penniless.</p>

5

<p>Me too. And after my oral surgery, I don't think my parents want to spend anything else on me. And I know this will bring another torrent of "I'm sick of you and your spoiled attitude. You just want to do that because you have friends whose parents are doctors and lawyers". There's some tips on raising money on the website if you haven't looked already.</p>

6

<p>May I ask if your parents are even supportive of you going to college? They sound like the kind of people that just don't want you to go beyond their achievements.</p>

7

<p>They don't want me going anywhere prestigious because they are afraid of paying for it (and they can't afford it anyway, so I'm going to pay for it myself! And if I DID get into Harvard or Stanford, which I think is highly unlikely, my tuition would be paid off anyway). And both my parents dropped out of high school (but my dad joined the Marine Corps and got a G.E.D. He now goes to college and he'll be a teacher in two years. My mom grew up in the Philippines and had to drop out because she was poor) and they have told me that they're sick of seeing me do "all this homework" from all these honors classes. My dad even told me a few nights ago that "From now on, you're going to have a basic high school education. No clubs. No AP classes. I'm tired of you". But then my course selection sheet came in the mail and my dad hasn't said a word about it. They keep bringing up community college, as if it's my only option. I'm not asking them to pay for college. None of it. They always spoil my sister with game boy games every other weekend, and she's six. I don't ask for material things. I just ask to be involved. And they scorn me for it. And my mom was even boasting to her friends that "I'm tired of seeing Kristine this way. Now, everytime I see her, she either has a book in her face or a pencil and pen. Like I said, I'm tired of it". That really hurt me. Some parents would give the world to have smart/ambitious children. My mom has told me before that she'd rather have a mentally disabled kid than me, and you know, that makes me feel even more worthless.</p>

8

<p>In that kind of environment (coupled with poverty) colleges will not expect you to participate in too many ECs.</p>

9

<p>Well, we aren't exactly poor. My mom works at Subway (and makes about 13K a year), and my dad will soon be a teacher making 35K a year. So we won't exactly be in poverty. It's my parent's reluctance that's the main problem. And then again, I can't help but think that when my dad looks at me, he can't help but think of what he could have been if he were my age again. Perhaps that's why he's sick of it.</p>

10

<p>I thought that somewhere else you said your family's income was only 13K, which is well below the poverty line. However, it is now slightly different. As a freshman, you are not really supposed to do much, so compared to many you have done a lot, particularly if you were head of those clubs.</p>

11

<p>Yeah, I said that. My mom makes that amount now and my dad doesn't work because he's a full-time college student (paid for by the military). But soon he will, so things will considerably change. Thanks so much for your reassurance. </p>

<p>And anyway, don't they say that it's your junior year that's supposed to be the busiest?</p>

12

<p>Junior and senior years are the years that are the most problematic and most time-starved.</p>

13

<p>Your parents, to me, seem to bear resentment to the fact that you want to achieve academically. What scares me is that your dad is going to be a teacher and yet he made that comment about "a basic high school education"--teachers are supposed to promote academic interest. </p>

<p>I think you should talk to your school's counselor.</p>

14

<p>Makes one wonder what kind of teacher he will be-will he crush his pupils in the same manner as he is trying to do to Righteous_Vigilante?</p>

15

<p>Tell them that if you get into a good college, you'll be able to spoil them with presents and stuff once you get a good job :D</p>

16

<p>Why should she even think about spoiling the either of them? It will probably infuriate them more that their daughter is giving presents to them, as if she is mocking their outlook on life.</p>

17

<p>Explain to them how generous colleges are with financial aid. E.g. even with your adjusted income you wouldn't have to pay a penny to go to Harvard under the new tuition exemption rules. Maybe try to get a teacher to talk to them, possibly someone your dad is training with. </p>

<p>I feel really, really bad for you but if you are able to get the support of your parents your chances at top schools are pretty good. Your stats are great, you show tremendous dedication and plus you are a low-income hispanic minority. And I hate to be cynical, but this will make a great application essay.</p>

18

<p>Thanks, Purest Awesome. But must I ask, "where did you hear that I was a hispanic minority"? I'm Filipino-Caucasian. I'm southeast Asian, but Filipinos aren't included in the Chinese-Japanese-Korean ring, and anyway, I'm a minority nonetheless. My dad isn't training with anyone now, but when he does... boy will I open my mouth. </p>

<p>Someone had suggested that I go see my counselor. I did a few months ago. She tried to talk to my dad, but that didn't work. She didn't really try either; just kept telling me over and over again that ECs were mandatory in order for me to go to a good school. And she ran up my grades and made it out like I needed to get out more and have a life, which WAS my OBJECTIVE. Anyway, for excuses, I'll just tell my parents that they'll see less of my 'spoiled' butt and that cross country and track are nearly cost-free. And I'll be fit all the time! And I'll make an ultimatum: "If I can't handle it, I'll simply drop out."
And I think I can handle it. </p>

<p>And Purest Awesome, I will print out the info. about Harvard's new tuition exemption policy. I'm glad they did that. Now everyone who wants it can have a solid opportunity to achieve it... Thank you all. </p>

<p>And the "spoiling my parents with gifts" idea was funny. Yeah, perhaps I will buy them a house. I'm just nice like that.</p>

19

<p>Woops sorry about the hispanic thing. I must have misread your post lol I know the Phillipines aren't in central america. </p>

<p>Anyway, best of luck.</p>

20

<p>wow righteous........ i truly TRULY feel bad for you. having parents that look DOWN upon your studying? I thought I had it bad, with my parents continually bearing down on me to study MORE........ i would much rather have strictly improving parents than strictly disparaging parents....... If there is a God, he will make sure you are successful in life.</p>