by Arianna Bethea
(Syracuse, NY)
Thousands of people worldwide have the opportunity to attend prestige colleges, but what if nobody in your family has ever attended college and most didn't even graduate high school? In what category do you put yourself in comparison to the thousands who are able to ease their way through something so simple as receiving an adequate education? No a loner and/or outsider is not the correct answer. Because remarkably, there are a plethora of people just like you and if you don't believe it, just know the author of this essay is one.
Read more College Admissions Help from other students and parents who have been through process.
College education is critical in today's environment and not having the necessary means to finish can cause a rocky experience in college education. Both of my parents did not attend college and their decision affects me to this day. Even though their decision of not going to college did teach me that, I have to work hard to get what I need.
I still image how much stress would be taken away from me if they went to college to in turn have great jobs to pay for my college education. This experience has given me an understanding of how negatively parents not going to college can affect a child. To add to that, I am living in an unstable economy that directly affects my college education.
Scholarships and financial aid have dropped because businesses do not have the extra money to give to students. On the bright side, my experiences of college admission and setbacks can positively be transmitted to someone else looking for advice.
My first suggestion is a basic one get good grades in high school. Good grades catch the eyes of a college. Another basic suggestion is to get a high score on the ACT and the SAT. Colleges also primarily look at these scores to see if you match the level of education at the college. Next, get in to extracurricular activities. Sometimes having good grades is not enough a college wants to see a well-rounded person. Furthermore, a college student needs to do something that sets them apart from everyone. For example instead of being in a club be a President of a club. Colleges love to see leadership and responsibility in an individual.
My last suggestion is something that I learned from other individuals and that is have an admirable Facebook. Many students have the perfect grades and are in the right clubs but what they put on Facebook destroys their opportunity of getting a scholarship. College is important and getting in may be hard but listening to someone that has experience puts anyone on that right track to get into the college of their dreams.
Read more College Admissions Help from other students and parents who have been through process.
Scholarships for 2023 and 2024 - It is never too early or too late to work on your scholarship searches. If you are part of the high school class of 2024, you should work on your scholarship and college search now. See our list of Scholarships for High School Seniors
FAFSA - The official 2023 - 2024 FAFSA is now available. See information about FAFSA.
Scholarship Lists An overview of the different types of Scholarship Money for College.
Grants Learn more about grants, the other free money for college.
Need Tuition Help? Reduce the cost of tuition with these college Tuition Assistance Programs.
Tax Credit Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
College Savings Plans Save money for college with these College Savings Plans.
Need a Student Loan? Yes, you qualify for these college Student Loans.
Scholarships for High School Students