<p>my heart skips a beat every time I open my email… It’s finals week but I honestly can’t focus on studying for my exams. I just need to know, good or bad!! I wish they would have posted an exact date online to avoid all this anticipation and worry.</p>
<p>Today, I got a call from my community college Jack Kent Cooke foundation representative and they asked me to come in tommorrow at 10:15 to answer a few more “questions.” HOLY **** GUYS. I’m trying not to freak the hell out!! That’s why I registered here.</p>
<p>this probably means i didn’t get it :(</p>
<p>I am waiting and feeling very nervous, too. Good luck to everybody!
Just keep in mind that whether you get it or not, I am sure you will lead a successful and happy life since you are the best candidate from your community college! ;-)</p>
<p>I am so glad you guys are posting in this forum, I’ve been following along to see if anyone has heard any news and figured I’d join!
Good luck to everyone! :)</p>
<p>i don’t think we’re going to find out today…</p>
<p>so wait, someone got a call from their community college? okay… that makes me feel like i didn’t get it, but that’s just one school and one representative… perhaps other schools do it differently?! let’s hope guys. congrats though, i think that means you “win”! hehe. we shall all keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow…</p>
<p>Congrats Shredd!!! :D</p>
<p>Outofmn - my advisor said the same thing. When I told her about how we should be notified via email, she commented that it was strange because when she was a representative for JKC, they found out before the applicant. Apparently, they were told to keep quiet for a little while, and then announce it at some event. I’m not sure how many years ago she was involved though… they may have changed the procedure. </p>
<p>Shreddr!! Let us know what happens! :D</p>
<p>Congrats Shred.</p>
<p>For the rest of us, the fact of the matter is is that the JKC Foundation will contact the recipients via email, so even though one’s school may already know, the students haven’t been personally notified yet via email. The upshot of it all is–we’re all still in the running and the emails haven’t been sent yet…</p>
<p>I was really impressed with everyone’s accomplishments, while I have access to all of you I have some questions. I often times feel overwhelmed in doing all these activities while still working and getting good grades. But I see that a lot of you are in more activities, have children, and or work more hours. Can any of you give me some advise on how you do it? Plus I have some specific questions:</p>
<p>1) How many hours a day do you study on average?
2) How many hours of sleep do you get per night? (If it’s less than five, how do you do it every day??)
3) How do you manage all of your activities/work/school
4) How often do you go out/family events/cocktails
5) Do you have any advise-please be specific (hard work/motivation/ etc are all implied qualities if you are nominated for a JKC scholarship)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>southseattle:</p>
<p>I’ve found this semester to be my most trying yet… I took way too many credits and just out-right booked myself to tight. I have found it best to put my attention to a few things that am most passionate about and that, I in turn, excel at. It’s okay to drop a few extracurricular activities. I feel that colleges dont want to see that you’ve “done a bunch of stuff” but that you’ve done a select few things exceptionally. </p>
<p>i sleep straannnggee hours with my schedule - 2am in my house is the quietest so I tend to get my best studying done! :)</p>
<p>To keep relaxed and stress free (especially now during finals and all the nervousness of waiting to hear back from colleges and JKC) i meditate - yoga, breathing exercises… or simply “forcing” myself to get outside and enjoy the fresh air even if it’s with my notes or textbook in hand! It’s really easy to get caught-up in the little daily stresses, so my advice is to keep your involvements selective or even just keeping them focused in one area (I know a guy who will join any club, sport, whatever - just to be seen as an “over-achiever”) I’ve learned from my own mistakes and those of others. I take whatever time I can to marvel in the littlest pleasures of life, because life is to be enjoyed. One thing i enjoy is learning and then sharing that with others, and I’ve focused that passion into neuroscience and psychology with aims of getting a PhD/MD</p>
<p>“your work is to discover your world, and then with all your heart, give yourself to it” - Buddha</p>
<p>also, this is a little self-serving, but if for any one on this board who does not win the scholarship (myself included…) please keep in mind that it may not be that you are not good enough, smart enough, have accomplished enough… or whatevered enough! Often times, just like college admission boards - it comes down to who has reviewed your application. We all make the assumption I think that admission and selection committees are completely objective, but we are human, and subjectivity comes into play big time. I felt winning this scholarship would open up doors that I wouldn’t have without it - and yes, this would open some doors up! But doesn’t mean any of us will be less successful without it! See, told ya it was a little self-serving… just trying to make myself (and anyone else who reads) feel better in case we dont win :)</p>
<p>Yeah ill let u guys know. I’m not getting excited about it yet, but its way too late for them to be asking me more questions! I’m confused!</p>
<p>Hi Southseattlecc. I am pretty impressed with all of the candidates on here as well. I will answer your questions for you.
- I study at least 4 hours per day. I have a heavy load this semester, and I have a lot of papers to write. On weekends, I probably study 4-6 hours, unless I am really struggling with something.<br>
- I normally get 4-5 hours of sleep per night. I have gone many nights in a row with only 3-4 though. I have no choice, so I suck it up and do it. My daughter has anxiety at night which stems from her multiple open-heart surgeries. She is afraid she will wake up in pain like she did then. They would put the mask on her and tell her it was ok because she would only go to sleep. Once she falls asleep, usually by 10, I can start homework. She wakes up a lot, and eventually comes to bed with me where she tosses and turns all night. I have to get up at 7 to get my son ready for school.<br>
- I find that it is easy to make excuses, but I have chosen to push myself. I have a lot of appointments to take the kids to, and that is a priority. I schedule them for after school, my husband and I alternate classes so someone is always with our daughter, and she visits her Grandma and Grandpa when we go to Phi Theta Kappa meetings or activities. My husband works mid shift, so he only gets 4-5 hours of sleep in the evening. It is hard, but we manage.<br>
- We try to set aside a few hours on the weekend for a family event. The kids look forward to this. We also have dinner together at least 5 days out of the week. My husband and I do not have time to go out without the kids usually, but once a month, we try to get a babysitter.<br>
- The best advice I can give is the advice I try to follow myself. I think it is important to embrace the opportunities around me every day. It would be so easy to give up, but it would not be satisfying, and it would not benefit me or anyone else. I have been blessed with special needs children for a reason. I can give them the unconditional love they need, and I have a passion for writing. I can take the experiences that have had the potential to defeat me, and write about them to help other parents become stronger advocates for their children. I have to look at the gifts that I have and how I can hone them to make them benefit the world around me, otherwise it has gone to waste. This motivates me. While you may not have the same challenges, I am sure you are gifted in some way, and you have the potential to reach out to make a difference. Once people find that gift, I think the motivation should stem from that because it will thrive with passion.</p>
<p>Yes, Katie. We are still JKC material, but they only have 60 scholarships for an estimated 600 nominees. Besides, just being nominated by your colleges is HUGE!!! We are still winners, even if we do not get the award, we are among the top students community colleges have to offer, and not everything is GPA. Additionally, I am sure many of us have been awarded other scholarships and/or financial aid that would allow us to continue our studies. Personally, I got an offer from a decent public school that would cover everything, and with the additional grants, scholarships, fin. aid, etc, I would not need to work and could finish my double bachelors in two years (something unlikely if I was to attend my top choice).</p>
<p>Now, here are my answers…
- To be honest, not many. Maybe 1-2 at the most, unless I have finals, papers, or something, then I do take it seriously. I have to admit that I always wait until the last minute.
- Maybe 4-5 hours. However, I typically take naps of 20 min. in the afternoon (it’s part of my culture and allows me to rest before going to work).
- I just do it. I don’t know, for me it’s natural to be busy, and I like it. Usually I study at night or very early in the morning (if I need to), take classes and attend meetings/events during the day, and work at night. I used to work 7 nights a week, but now it’s less because the lack of sleep was affecting me. I used to go to the gym 6 or 7 times a week as well, now I run around my neighborhood for 15-20 minutes a few times a week.
- Once a week I go out for dinner with my boyfriend. Besides that I do not do anything. My best friend lives 20 minutes away and I’ve seen her twice since this semester started.
- Always do more than what is expected of you. Try to be the first to volunteer, the one who organizes, and the one who takes the lead. Personally, I like to control things because I know I will get everything done, and done well. However, I have learned to delegate (only to the right people). Additionally, smile, talk to people, do not be timid, do not be afraid. This opens a lot of doors because you build relationships, people know you, and are willing to listen to you, and help you if need assistance. I did not know how many students were competing for the nomination at my college until after everything was done. However, I did know 6 out of the 7 members of the committee making the decision. Likewise, I have worked with the president of my college to gain support for some legislations, and when I needed letters of recommendation for a scholarship he insisted on writing one. Needless is to say they gave me the award.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Hi everyone. I am waiting anxiously like everyone else. I’m pretty sure this has been like a giant monkey on my back since mid-January, I’m from Ohio. I wanted to ask you guys, whats everyones efc? I mean I think my family makes to much money for me to get it? My Efc is like 8,500 and I have a half tuition transfer scholarship from PTK already to a private school in Ohio. Do I even demonstrate the need compared to everyone else? But I’m still praying and hoping! Goodluck everyone I really hope someone gets it from us.</p>
<p>1) How many hours a day do you study on average?
very little. i do my studying before tests and usually on the weekends. i do homework when assigned, but always the day before it’s due. on average, homework takes 1-2 hours. if it’s a paper, i’ll sit for 6 hours straight to knock it out. If you go to your classes and REALLY pay attention, your study time is DRASTICALLY reduced. studying turns simply into a quick review.
2) How many hours of sleep do you get per night? (If it’s less than five, how do you do it every day??) i squished my classes to mon-wed. sun-tuesday night i get about 4 per night, but it’s only for a few days. i catch up wed-sat.
3) How do you manage all of your activities/work/school
with my more recent job it got difficult. i was planning a large event at my school and i could only work during weekdays. since the job was at school, I would bring up homework and study materials to work/school and stay on campus for 15 hours a day doing my homework in between work tasks. i also brought my homework to my aa meetings.
4) How often do you go out/family events/cocktails
i go to church every sunday with my family followed by lunch. i take my grandmother out for her errands every thursday. i go running with my friend 2 days a week. I try to see my friends really late at night because these aren’t hours my brain can function enough to do homework anyway. and i try to make the time with them productive. we jog…they go grocery shopping with me…run other errands…it might not be glamorous, but at least we get to see each other.
5) Do you have any advise-please be specific (hard work/motivation/ etc are all implied qualities if you are nominated for a JKC scholarship)
well i don’t view anything as optional. if i’m invited to a chemistry dinner, i go. if my program director offers me a job planning an event even if i don’t really have time for it, i do it. i view lecture as mandatory, as well as the assignments teachers assign that never need to be turned in. also, when i worked at caltech last year my boss bought me a caltech sweater…when he gave it to me he said, “i expect a lot out of you.” when i have a big test or finals or i’m feeling burnt out, i study in that sweater and it reminds me that it’s more than just this class…or this community college. everything you’re doing now builds up the future.
and i completely agree with lamullinga. just be yourself with professors/administrators/etc. i didn’t even think i was financially eligible to apply. but after meeting with me once the jkc coordinator remembered me and called me the day it was due to ask where my application was. then she explained to me that i was eligible. I have great relationships with a lot of teachers, so I was able to get the letters incredibly last minute. I did my whole application in one day. I won’t be surprised if i don’t get it. get to know people without sucking up. These people can tell when you’re being insincere.</p>
<p>oh, and my efc is 2224. it kind of sucks, though. since i’m 23 financial aid automatically makes me dependent even though i don’t live with my mom. this year i’ll be 24, so my efc is 0.</p>
<p>I am 25 and I made around $14,000 for the year that I submitted my tax information. I think my EFC was $1,200.</p>