Perhaps there is something in the water (not that there's been much rain around here lately), but it seems like my seniors are panicking a little earlier than usual this year. Maybe it is because they are at the end of their college applications. Then again, maybe it's because once they hit the last 'submit' button, all they can do is wait while some strangers in a faraway room pass judgment on them (that's the way they see it anyway). But if I had a nickel for every time one of them said "there's nothing special about me," I would be quite rich.
I wish they could see what I see, because the GPS Class of 2017 is an amazing group of young women. One of them is raising money to fund arts programs in local elementary schools. Gentle and soft-spoken, another has volunteered at the Creative Discovery Museum and is one of the most loved summer camp counselors we have. Still another has a love of plants that is second only to her love for cats, and you can frequently find her in her very own green room, tending to her plants, many of which she started from tiny seeds. Along with a few of her peers, one senior helped build the computer that now runs our 3-D printer, and another has passed her wilderness first aid safety course.
The senior with the purple hair has never met an animal she didn't love and currently owns a chinchilla, a hedgehog, two turtles, several fish, five dogs, two horses, eight geese, a guinea fowl and several chickens. Past pets have included cats, hamsters, mice and hermit crabs.
Some members of the class of 2017 are on-stage stars and back stage tech wizards, while others are accomplished equestrians and violinists. They are all-state soccer players and champion cross-country teammates. At least one is teaching herself Korean, while another has written and produced her own civil rights documentary. One manages the GPS bookstore, one is a Sea Cadet and has her advanced scuba and PADI certification.
As a group they are leaders and followers, community activists, and dedicated volunteers. They have dealt with significant injuries and personal loss and bounced back up again. This beautiful group of souls has raised money for cancer research, grown thousands of pounds of food for the Chattanooga Food Bank, and supported their classmates in small ways I will never know.
There is nothing mediocre about them. Any of them.
As an adult, I know that one college decision is not going to make or break them. If they will be open to the possibilities, there are hundreds of roads that can take them where they want to go. Once the panic has subsided and the decisions have been made, I hope they will see what I see. The Class of 2017 is simply amazing.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
$ Paying for College $
Normally I don't like to repost or recycle something I previously wrote, but because I know financial aid and scholarships are so important to seniors, I want to remind you of a few tips we shared earlier this year.
1. The largest financial aid awards still typically come from the college itself, so make sure you carefully read the directions on each college website. Not all college requirements are the same, so be sure you know what forms each school needs and what their deadlines are. Many schools have a December 1 application deadline that also applies to merit aid, so as long as you have everything submitted by then, you will be considered. Since your college applications should be done by then anyway, you're good!
2. If you are looking for scholarships, Fastweb (www.fastweb.com) is a good place to begin. You will need to register, but then it's up to you to follow up with any recommendations they send you. Follow them on Twitter as well (@PayingforSchool).
3. All outside or independent scholarship opportunities we receive will be posted on MyGPS. Look for the scholarship folder under Topics. We will also tweet them @gpscollege. Many of these are not available until January or later so check back on a regular basis.
4. If you have not already, make an appointment with Mrs. Haley. She is more than happy to help you search for scholarships, and several students have commented that she is very helpful (but then we knew that!).
5. You can do a quick Internet search yourself, but don't just type in "scholarships." Try something more specific like engineering, theater, or service scholarships. Also, don't forget to check with your church, your parents' place of business, or even a local club or civic group.
Two more reminders - Don't ever pay for someone to do a scholarship search for you, and finding free money takes time. You may have to cull through hundreds of possibilities before you find the one that is right for you. Hang in there!
1. The largest financial aid awards still typically come from the college itself, so make sure you carefully read the directions on each college website. Not all college requirements are the same, so be sure you know what forms each school needs and what their deadlines are. Many schools have a December 1 application deadline that also applies to merit aid, so as long as you have everything submitted by then, you will be considered. Since your college applications should be done by then anyway, you're good!
2. If you are looking for scholarships, Fastweb (www.fastweb.com) is a good place to begin. You will need to register, but then it's up to you to follow up with any recommendations they send you. Follow them on Twitter as well (@PayingforSchool).
3. All outside or independent scholarship opportunities we receive will be posted on MyGPS. Look for the scholarship folder under Topics. We will also tweet them @gpscollege. Many of these are not available until January or later so check back on a regular basis.
4. If you have not already, make an appointment with Mrs. Haley. She is more than happy to help you search for scholarships, and several students have commented that she is very helpful (but then we knew that!).
5. You can do a quick Internet search yourself, but don't just type in "scholarships." Try something more specific like engineering, theater, or service scholarships. Also, don't forget to check with your church, your parents' place of business, or even a local club or civic group.
Two more reminders - Don't ever pay for someone to do a scholarship search for you, and finding free money takes time. You may have to cull through hundreds of possibilities before you find the one that is right for you. Hang in there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)