<p>And the Amherst college president should know me. Especially after I accosted her twice, first after her speech, second in the art museum. I was really desperate. </p>
<p>There’s a lot of alcohol at Amherst. And surprisingly, a lot of it was incredibly easy for pre-fresh to access. Not that I drank any of course. Or maybe I did, I was delirious at Amherst. With frustration, depression, anger. Bad times.</p>
<p>Nvm. The deadline for the Davidson Institute scholarship has already passed.</p>
<p>OP, college is subsidized at the state level. That’s why you can go to UF via Bright Futures in your home state. Amherst and Williams are private universities. Berkeley is a state U. in California so the tuition is subsidized for CA residents.</p>
<p>@Statius When I read “junior standing” somehow I thought they were considering you as a transfer…I know they’re too different things, sorry.</p>
<p>@oldmom4896 </p>
<p>Yes, at the state level, state universities are subsidized. And yes, for many students thats satisfactory. But for my major, UF isn’t a good university. For my major, no school in florida is satisfactory. Yes, universities are subsidized, but only at the state level, not nationally. </p>
<p>That leaves a lot of students like myself, middle class folk, who are excluded from a better education because of their class. Because of the family they were born to, the state they were born in.</p>
<p>I was accepted to Amherst! Williams! Shouldn’t that be enough! Yes, I was stupid, I had no help from my parents, no help from an older sibling. I didn’t know I couldn’t go if I was accepted. I’m just a suburban teenager, who’s never had a job, who’s been pampered all his life. </p>
<p>But I god damn well deserve to go to Amherst and capitalism is responsible, income inequality is responsible, for pushing me out of Amherst.</p>
<p>Income inequality??? Are you kidding? Median family income in Florida is $47,309. In the U.S. it is $53,046.</p>
<p>@Lilliana330 </p>
<p>Ah, by junior standing I meant I would be technically classified as a junior by UF because of the # of college credits I’ve earned.</p>
<p>@oldmom4896 </p>
<p><a href=“The gap between rich and poor grows in the United States. - The New York Times”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/business/worldbusiness/29iht-income.4.5075504.html</a></p>
<p>The median isn’t always a reliable measure. It’s a rule of thumb you learn in grade school.</p>
<p>Statius, that NY Times article is from 2007. The gap between haves and have-nots has widened considerably. Trust me, I am not going to shed any tears for someone crying about income inequality with a $200k family income. </p>
<p>You could take a gap year and apply to colleges where you’d get significant merit aid. You could work and save to pay for your expenses. You could ask your parents how much they are willing and able to contribute to your college education, look up colleges that give significant merit aid, and work from there.</p>
<p>This is straying off topic. If you have nothing to contribute, don’t contribute. You’re being very rude and very narrow minded. The problem is much more complex, and although my family makes nearly 200k, we’re middle class and income inequality still affects the middle class.</p>
<p>The discussion is still open. I’m still open to suggestions (if there are any), or any advice anyone might have. </p>
<p>I’d still like to know if there are any big scholarships or fellowships available to students in my position. Or if the only feasible option for a student of my income range is HYP.</p>
<p>HYP are unlikely to give you much money, either. Harvard’s NPC comes out to $45k for a Florida family with one kid, $200k of income, and zero assets.</p>
<p>How much are your parents willing to pay?</p>
<p>Not much. The most they’ll give me is 10k. My father want’s me to be engineer, or a doctor, and because I refused that career path he’s refused to pay any more.</p>
<p>Should I just reorient my focus towards graduate school, when I don’t have to be dependent on my parents for aid? With amount of credits I’m going into my state school with, I could graduate in 2 years, if not fewer. I got accepted in Amherst and Williams, I’ve certainly proved myself.</p>
<p>Should I even try to transfer? Isn’t there a high ranked university that’ll give me at least a decent amount of aid?</p>
<p>Is there any hope? for young, aspiring philosophy/Japanese studies major, who just wants learn?
I made a few mistakes, but that can’t be the end. Are there any competitive programs available, or fellowships or scholarships available?
All I want to do is learn, and have an interactive and intelligent peer group who I can speak to and share ideas with.</p>
<p>I did some research. Because I’m going into UF as “junior”, I’d be eligible for a combined accelerated BA/MA program in philosophy. I could get a masters degree in philosophy in 2 years. That would contribute a lot to my transfer application. </p>
<p>I already know enough I to place out of some of the introductory courses.</p>
<p>Have you considered New College of Florida? It’s an Honors College which would satisfy your wish for an “interactive and intelligent peer group” and you can craft any major that you want. In state tuition is only $6,700.</p>
<p>@DEfour </p>
<p>Do you attend New College? I researching it now, I’m a bit suspicious. Is it highly ranked college? If I’m staying in Florida, I don’t think I’d like to stay here for more than 2 years. Does it have good study abroad programs? Why should I prefer New College to UF? </p>
<p>US News ranks it #89. I think that is pretty amazing for such a young school. I am not a student; it is on my daughters list of schools she is considering and it just seemed like it might be a good fit for your situation. It does seem like it has an extensive study abroad program. That is something that is very important to her as well. I don’t know anything about UF since it is not a school we are considering. But from everything I’ve learned about New College, the students are very serious, self motivated learners and its an academically stimulating and challenging place. In fact the biggest criticism that I’ve heard is that it has a high drop out rate of students who can not meet the academic rigor. This could be a benefit to you though since it means there would be a significant amount of transfer spots. ALSO, I’m just noticing this, their application deadline isn’t until May 15th. So you still have 3 days or so to apply as a FRESHMAN. Might be worth doing that and then you can decide later if you like the place if you get in. </p>