<p>To help a kid who very much needs it. This is a repost on the parents forum as was suggested to me!
I just joined this site with the hope that someone out there can offer some advice, and hopefully a lot of advice. To really get a sense of what i need advice on im going to have to go into a bit of back story, bare with me. ;-)
I went to a prestigious boarding school (lawrenceville school) and did quite well for the 2 years i was there. Because of family reasons, financial, and my own maturity i left the school on medical leave. I still hold great references at that school. I continued on to a small catholic school in texas due to a free ride, and again did well but hated it (i am a gay, liberal yankee... wasnt the best fit)... i transfered to a public school and within one semester (i was a junior) dropped out. I lost the support of my family prior to enrolling in public high school. The combination of my sexuality and my seeming failure at education was to much.
Thats the back story. AND the worst of it.
I have been in the working world for 2 years now. I am a well reputed gay youth activist, have extra-curricular activities that most kids applying to harvard would kill for. I work more than 60 hours a week as a caregiver and teacher to special needs children. I am an excellent light weight rower and a top notch water polo player. I average roughly 25 hours a week of volunteer involvement, and having glowing references from half a dozen orgs. My Sat scores should be top notch (i have to retake them, its been to long but in the 7th grade i got a 1380 on the old scale)...
Now the question part... I am desperate to go to college. I would have never guessed that i wouldn't be in college now! So what strategy should i take, what schools should i look at, what can i expect or not expect? I have managed to save up enough money to travel to my top 5 schools (i interview well) and apply to roughly 12 schools. my current assumption is that it is going to take a lot of applications and eventually a admin officer will take a chance on me... is that at all accurate? Im sorry my first post is so long, and i really appreciate whatever feedback you may have for me!</p>
<p>Red - I'll offer one point of view -- I encourage you to solicit others.</p>
<p>I think you have just two issues here. They are interrelated. The first is how to pay for college, and the second is where in the country you're willing to attend college. It's clear you are smart and energetic -- getting into college won't be an issue IMHO. But your two years separation from HS will complicate your Financial Aid. Additionally, you stated in your OP that you've probably lost the support of your family. As for location, most colleges don't that many activist organizations, and work opportunities are limited at others. If you wish to continue your activist activities (which I'd encourage you to do) and also work half-time (which you may need to do), then you will need to chose your locale carefully.</p>
<p>As for schools, the ones that immediately came to mind were Occidental, San Francisco State University, Trinity (CT), Tulane, and Wesleyan. FA may or may not work at these places, but you won't know until you try. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Trying to decipher all you have written. Sometimes it helps if you use some spacing in a long post. I think you stated that you dropped out of HS as a junior. Did you ever pursue your GED?</p>
<p>Even if you have not, the best place to start may be a community college. In these times it is no shame to start there and then transfer to a university after a year or the associates degree. Not only is it cost effective, but it allows you to demonstrate your abilities. </p>
<p>Since you are in TX, the UT website has some information.<br>
State</a> of the System</p>
<p>Singersmom07
Sorry... i realize the first message was a gush. There are a million things i want to say and its hard to pick out which ones i should say.
I do have my GED. And community college is totally an option, i just dont want to spend a year there first if i don't have to. </p>
<p>NewHope33... i am 110% willing (and ready) to go into debt for college. I have saved up a good 10 grand as cannon foder to hold me over why i fill out paper work, and i hopefully will be able to save more. I dont qualify for any financial aid because my parents make 200K+ a year. I am aiming for a college that isnt in the middle of nowhere, to make working and activism easier... but if i get into a great lac ill work the finances out.
It is so reassuring to me that many people think me getting into a school isn't going to be impossible. I was a straight track prep school kid, so while i know ALOT about college i know nothing about the path that i am now on. It would be really interesting for me if you guys would 'chance' me as you call it on this website. list some random schools that you think i have no shot to a definite shot. I would really like some idea of what i can aspire to.
thanks!</p>
<p>When you say work the finances out, will any family help pay or cosign loans? Or do you need all but a full ride?</p>
<p>If the OP has been living on his own (which I assume he has because of lacking family support), he can claim himself independent. I think you have to live on your own for a year, and have proof to that. I am not sure of the details, but I do know more than one person who has done that.</p>
<p>Second, there are a lot of schools that no longer interview, presumably because of sheer numbers, which obviously will put more weight on your essay. Personally speaking, I might consider taking some of that reserved trip money and plan a trip to Lawrenceville to have a sit down with perhaps an old mentor of yours? I mean, it's just an idea, but you were there for two years, you left not because of academic concerns and were essentially persecuted once returning to Texas. It would seem important to reflect upon that previous academic potential. </p>
<p>As an aside, I find it really unsupportive that your family would suggest a religious school for a gay son. It's pretty much the definition of unsupportive but that's neither here nor there. </p>
<p>I just think that educationally, it would help if you had some direction from within a strong academic community.</p>
<p>Modadunn... My old prof and water polo coach from lawrenceville and i regularly visit and stay in touch weekly. He is as solid of a recommendation as anyone could dream of... he is actually working to find alumni support to pay for my college education, and is secretly (im not supposed to know) trying to leverage some money of his own to help pay. One of the families i nanny for is also trying to get together some money, also a secret but kids overhear things and repeat. Speaking of money, i have a near perfect credit score (been working on that!), so ive already been approved for college loans up to 60g, i went ahead and figure that out before i even bothered applying. There is also roughly 5 thousand a year of gay scholarship i am sure that i can get.
I think i actually have a better shot with a school that interviews, i interview really really well. but what do i know?</p>
<p>What im really here to determine is what kind of schools can i aspire to. The money and the getting there, and all that i think i have a firm grasp on. At least as firm of a grasp as someone who is poor and 19 can have!</p>
<p>What would your dream schools be?</p>
<p>I have to say however, it's hard to believe any bank is going to give a kid who will not have any income for years $60K. Have you checked since the credit crisis?</p>
<p>sure havent checked since the credit crisis. good call. Bank of America! </p>
<p>Dream schools... hard question.
Columbia, NYU, berkley, bard, oxford, cambridge, university of chicago, University of texas (i wouldnt mind staying in austin), vassar, wesleyan, sarah lawrence, reed, lewis and clark, brown, cornell....
I think we can sum that whole category up with REACH. they are reaches for pretty much everyone. My top 3 out of all those... Columbia, Berkley, Oxford/Cambridge
But basically, i like mid-to large schools, or smaller schools not to far from a city. I am in general afraid to be south of the mason dixon. California is lovely but expensive. I like being near a city, or in one. Liberal arts is for me... poly sci, poly comm, media, marketing, hospitality (cornell), urban studies... etc... things in that area.</p>
<p>Once you start at college, you should definitely look into the Point Foundation scholarships--they seem tailor-made for someone like you! Best of luck.</p>
<p>Apply</a> to Point Foundation: College Scholarships for LGBT Students</p>
<p>I am already in contact with the point foundation... a bespoke fit for sure. Unfortunately many gay kids have a very similar story to mine, and have done more with their lives. There is no distinction in application pool from a kid in my position to a kid who was in my position 7 years ago and is now a law student at harvard.
But all pessimism aside, im gunning for it.</p>
<p>I see you got lots of good advice on your other thread. I don't see you having trouble getting into some good colleges so I'll talk about the money issues.</p>
<p>You need to move to clarify whether you can be considered independent as a priority. It will probably depend on several things like whether you have a clear work/tax/rent history and whether your parents have been claiming you.</p>
<p>If you are independent, you're home free and can look at the schools that meet need. If not you can probably consider becoming legally emancipated, but that could take some time.</p>
<p>Otherwise I think you need to focus on a whole different group of schools that offer big merit aid. I don't think you can count on getting huge loans and you shouldn't want to, it will severely limit career options. And friends often mean well but financing someone's college education is asking a lot.</p>
<p>Tell me about it! it makes me hugely uncomfortable that they even consider it.
My parents still claimed me as an independent until last year. I have limited rent history, prior to being 18 i couldnt sign a lease, but i am rounding in on a year of rent history now. I have work history that at least proves that i could be financially dependent for 2 and half years (or buying alot of electronics!), same with tax history.</p>
<p>Do you really think that im not going to have problems getting into some good colleges? that blows my mind. to me my application looks impossible. Thats funny enough the part im most focused on, because i dont even know where i should cap my applications.</p>
<p>I have a dear friend/mentor who is as financial savy (hes an accountant and a lawyer), so i will get on being emancipated and getting the paper work in order that proves my independence and comical need.</p>
<p>I see you are in Austin. I would highly recommend that you call the appropriate departments/schools at UT, or search their websites for scholarships. UT doesn't do a lot of merit money, but the scholarships they do offer are big. I am familiar with the Dedman-Liberal Arts. My d was a candidate last year. Candidacy is almost exclusively based on SAT scores- the highest scorers get to then compete in interview for the awards. Sounds like you may have a shot here for candidacy. All of UT's other big scholarships are pretty much based off SAT scores, then interview. </p>
<p>I agree with others who said your biggest problem will be funding your education without going into a ridiculous amount of debt. I would recommend also that you check out other Texas state schools located in major cities- this way you can keep up the activist work and find other paid work during the semesters. U of Houston comes to mind- not the highest tier level, but great honors college and again a few great scholarships for top scorers. Lots of activism here too. All the UT schools give good $ to a few top scorers. I assume you qualify for TX residency at this point. </p>
<p>A private school in Houston to consider is Rice- expensive, but I have heard of full merit scholarships in various departments if a professor feels like the student is an up and comer in the field. Does your Lawrenceville man have any connections there? </p>
<p>Where does your Lawrenceville guy have connections? This is another avenue to explore. Perhaps his connections can get a professor somewhere to take an interest in you and be willing to go to bat for money.</p>
<p>After rereading your Op, another thought- find some schools who need a rower or water polo player. I don't know them off hand, but a relatively simple search on the collegeboard college search using these two things as a must have extracurricular would identify. Depending on your prowess in these areas, you might be competitive with others applying to East Coast schools. If you are not sure of that then look for schools with less know crew and polo teams who might be looking to beef up in those sports. </p>
<p>Likewise I would look for schools that have a strong commitment to LGBT issues/events. Again through collegeboard search engine. See if any of them might look good and then you know you have a strong asset there as an applicant. </p>
<p>Use the Web as much as possible to identify the right schools for your mix of talents. Ask for assistance from the folks who might have the most connections. </p>
<p>And lastly- always always play to your strengths!!! Find the places that want a student like you with great scores, because you will have them. These will be the schools to be most likely to offer money to you. </p>
<p>Also, yes, check out becoming independent legally- but this may actually be harder than you think if you are under 24.</p>
<p>After rereading here- I am really slow this AM. Really look at Uof H- Hilton School of Hotel and Rest. Mgmt.- #2 ranked school in that area in the US. (# 1 I think is Cornell- which, by the way is in the middle of nowhere). It's easy enough for you to take a short trip here to visit.</p>
<p>I agree with hmom5- you really need to focus on finding schools that are strong in your interest areas and may need/want your particular strengths. Schools that offer merit aid, not just need based aid.</p>
<p>Hello again- just read through your other thread. The schools you list there are all primarily need based schools. Of them, Harvard has the most generous fin aid policies- but at a 200K income level- you wouldn't get enough aid out of them. Not to mention that it is an academic reach for everyone. Your other schools listed there are also tough schools to get into- even tougher for the non- traditional student. And from a financial standpoint, also not a consideration because of your parent's income level. </p>
<p>You must must must work hard to develop the right list of schools to which to apply. You must also rock on the SAT. You may need SATII's, but until you determine your list of schools, you don't know yet. I would recommend finding schools that don't require them since it doesn't sound like you have a whole lot of extra time to self-study. </p>
<p>Explore the possibilities. Go for Fall 2010 admission unless you really want to do Community College for a semester. Prep for the SAT and rock it. Look at the ACT test if you want, but I'm thinking with a Lawrenceville and Catholic School background your better bet is SAT. ACT is often better for those who have a strong science background and affinity. </p>
<p>Also- when you talk to your Lawrenceville coach make sure he understands your financial constraints- merit aid schools only. Not the East Coast Ivy need baseds. Ask him if he has pals outside the Ivy's/East Coast prestige schools. If so, can he make a few contacts for you. And can he make recommendations of non need based schools that might need your athletic abilities. BTW- if UT's water sports suck- then maybe they really need you. </p>
<p>P.S. Don't rely on the kindness of strangers. While all of this behind the scenes talk of folks trying to collect money for you is very nice, don't count on it. And definitely don't count on it for 4 years of schooling. Compassion and care make people say a lot of things- that does not mean they can deliver.</p>
<p>Since you are already in Austin, and the state has the 10% rule, which wouldn't fit you, it will be difficult to get in there, but they have a program where if you went to one of the feeder jr. colleges in the area, you would go into UT your jr. year.</p>
<p>Thank you so much pipmom!</p>
<p>Alot of what you suggested came to fruition yesterday and today. My connections at lawrenceville are turning up some great in's... at some ridiculously hard to get into schools... but still great. I know 2 past board members (one the president) at williams, and with there word that i dont have parental support williams has will supposedly agreed to cover my tuition.... now i just need to get in! haha. if only that connection was at a school one tier down. </p>
<p>The GLBT issues things is giving me a chance at a couple of things too. Especially a very active admin officer at Wesleyan. And a very very gun-ho prof at berkley. (again, why not one tier down?)</p>
<p>I am trying to get back into rowing shape... and am contacting my old connections with rowing coaches... its a decent angle. </p>
<p>Things are also looking good for me to get into southwestern... which is not a school i am interested in, but at least it is one that i can transfer to another easily with. </p>
<p>AND, on the family front... its looking like my uncle may get involved (there may be money coming my way from him)... and my dad works for siemiens and is a hop and a skip from getting laid off... which means i may qualify for aid even with them on my record. (sucks for him but is great for me!)
The last two days have shapped up nicely, hopefully the snowball effect continues.</p>
<p>You sound like a good candidate to live in Berkeley, California, or in the San Francisco bay area. There are opportunities to work with activism, disabled, etc. Also, since we are well-known for the gay population, you'd fit right in. Not all the gays in California live in San Francisco, they live everywhere (in spite of what my mother-in-law in Indiana says). Check schools in Oakland and San Francisco as well. Besides UC Berkeley, there is Cal State East Bay in Hayward, and part of their campus is in Concord, CA.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you check out job opportunities on craigslist, and check out rentals too (rents are dropping here). Find a social network in this area where you can talk to people who live/work/study here.</p>
<p>All I can say is, if there is a will, there is a way. I went to college beginning at age 38 - earned two degrees online from Cerro Coso Community College...and the only time I was on campus was for my graduation (that was a really fun road trip!). But, I don't suggest you wait as long as I did - I had to wait until technology and education were where I had the opportunity to do it without making huge changes to my life. But, going to college did change my life, you can't avoid that!</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>