<p>Hello everyone(: Although I'm only going to be a sophomore in High School, I often think about my future: what I'm going to do, where I'm going to go to college, etc. etc!
My brother just graduated from high school and is going to Pensacola Christian College. He just made the decision of what he wants to do this year: he's planning to join their nursing program and become a registered nurse.
I, however, want to go to Cal Poly and become an engineer. Unlike my brother, this career path has stuck with me since I was young and has always been a dream of mine. I'm a straight A student (again, unlike him) and have been working diligently to achieve my goal.
However, my parent just made the decision that no, I cannot attend Cal Poly and instead must go to PCC like my older brother. They say it's a good college and they like it's environment (it being a Christian school).
I do not like that decision. At all. It's always been MY dream and MY longing to go to Cal Poly, but it all may be ruined because my older brother is attending PCC. So, what should I do? I mean, my parents ARE paying for my school, but shouldn't I have a say in where I go? They say they can't afford it, but another one of my brothers attended 6 years of college: one year of Bible College and five years at Cal Maritime Academy where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering. Also, my college tuition will be partly payed for because of the GI Bill (my dad is a retired Chief Petty Officer from the US Navy). Please help me clear my mind about this topic. What do you think I should do?
My plan is to still attend Cal Poly with or without my parents financial aid, by saving up money, getting a job, taking out student loans, and work my a-s-s off to get as many scholarships as possible (like for music; I am currently first alto in my high school's jazz band, I play various instruments, so I hopefully will get recognized for that). Thanks you for your help(: It's much appreciated.</p>
<p>i say if they can’t afford then maybe you could find some other schools that match your interests, offering a good engineering program, which many in california do not just cal poly, as well as your parents interests, a good christian environment</p>
<p>What is your home state? Public schools like Cal Poly can be quite expensive if you are from out-of-state, and also do not offer significant financial aid to nonresidents.</p>
<p>Okay, [url=<a href=“http://profiles.asee.org/]here[/url”>http://profiles.asee.org/]here[/url</a>] is the list of all the accredited engineering programs in the country. Maybe you can find an engineering school on the list that your parents do approve of.</p>
<p>No matter how hard you’re willing to work, this is going to be easier with your parents’ support (both financial and otherwise) than without it.</p>
<p>Since you won’t be able to borrow much without your parents co-signing loans, you will not be able to go away to college on your own.</p>
<p>YOU can only borrow the following amounts</p>
<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr</p>
<p>As you can see, the amounts aren’t much. Private scholarships aren’t going to do much either. They are usually for small amounts AND ONLY for freshman year only…so even if you somehow got enough money for your first year, the scholarship money wouldn’t be there for years 2, 3 and 4.</p>
<p>what are your test scores? If they’re high enough, some schools will give you large scholarships.</p>
<p>And, you won’t be able to work enough hours to pay for your schooling yourself. Eng’g is one of the most difficult and time demanding majors. You would only be able to work very, very part time.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re from the Florida area? Are you? If so, then Cal Poly is OOS and will cost you to much. Which Cal Poly are you interested in?</p>
<p>Does PCC even have engineering? If so, is it accredited?</p>
<p>* my parents ARE paying for my school, but shouldn’t I have a say in where I go? They say they can’t afford*</p>
<p>What does that mean? Are you saying that they can afford PCC, but they can’t afford Cal Poly? Would you be commuting to PCC? How much is PCC?</p>
<p>If you’re a resident of Florida, will you get Bright Futures?</p>
<p>how much would you get with your dad’s GI Bill?</p>
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<p>Or work full time and go to school part time. I know several consulting engineering firms in our area who have employees who are doing just that - working full time, doing lower level engineering-type work, and going to school part time in the state directional’s engineering program. One of the engineers I know at one company says that’s the way they get their best people, because when the student graduates, he or she is ready to move right into a full role at the firm. I think at least one of the companies also provides some tuition help.</p>
<p>Your parents may be throwing their money away on PCC. Do they realize your brother can’t even use the same stairwell as females there? Is your brother hoping for a romantic life at all, because it won’t be allowed there. PCC does not have accreditation that is recognized widely, as a result many schools will not take their credits, and many empolyers won’t hire PCC grads. Have your parents looked into the school thoroughly, or did they just hear “Christian” and like it? All these limitations could be why PCC is more affordable than other schools, but who cares if you can’t get a job after attending. You would be wiser to just attend a Florida public if that is where you live and affordability is an issue. You would do better for yourself in many ways.</p>
<p>Cal Poly accepts CLEP Tests -> <a href=“http://www.testoffice.calpoly.edu/testprograms/clep.html[/url]”>http://www.testoffice.calpoly.edu/testprograms/clep.html</a></p>
<p>If you’re not familiar with CLEP Tests here’s a good YouTube Video that explains it more -> <a href=“CLEP | What is the CLEP Tests? 5 Reasons Why CLEP! | CLEP Review 1/4 - YouTube”>CLEP | What is the CLEP Tests? 5 Reasons Why CLEP! | CLEP Review 1/4 - YouTube;
<p>In short, CLEP is an easy way to earn college credit by testing out of college classes saving you both time and money!</p>
<p>While this won’t solve your short term problem of having enough money to cover your semester tuition. It will solve your long term problem of not having enough loan money to earn your Bachelors!</p>
<p>Good Luck,</p>
<p>Madison</p>