Image source: http://idisinfect.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/why-do-you-want-to-be-a-leader-essay-interesting-topics-for-a-regarding-23-captivating-examples-of-scholarship-essays-about-yourself.jpg
I recently saw a question posted by David on one of those Ask an expert type sites - it was all about financial aid and the answer to the financial aid question was only half-right. Half-baked information will get you half-baked results.
But, what struck me more was the self-assessment of the person writing the question. It struck me because I see this A LOT from students.
David is interested in MIT but is now considering Yale, too, because of information he came across regarding financial aid on Collegeboard.com.
Heres how he assessed himself (and his question):
I have straight As throughout my high school. I have a pretty good SAT and ACT scores. I can write a killer essay. I have been doing a few extracurricular throughout 4 years. I guess recommendation is not a big problem. So I want to have a shot at MIT.
However, when I was searching for Yale this morning, my mind starts to change a bit. So here is my question:
- Does the average financial aid package mean the total money/scholarship youll get for one year (two semesters)?
- If that is the case, does it mean that average students pay around $2,000 each year for their tuition (ignore room, books, and other costs first)?
- So, if Im lucky enough, does it mean that I can get a ride to college for FREE or almost FREE?
- Lets say that Im REALLY lucky, and get a scholarship that worth more than the cost of my tuition, does it mean that I can even EARN money as a college student (if I spend less on the other costs)?
In this one statement, I can tell a few things about David, and so will the admissions officers.
First up, he believes that Great grades, strong SAT scores and lots of activities are enough. Well, the THOUSANDS of students who apply to MIT and Yale also have them. So, what else do you have to offer, David?
Next: I can write a killer essay. David, even Hemmingway needed an editor. And, writing a decent essay in class is not the style of essay youll need on the application. And, as a former English teacher, Ive met a lot of English teachers who cant write. So, relying on them may not be the best idea, either.
Next problem: I guess recommendation is not a big problem. (The way this is written makes me question his ability to write a killer essay). Getting a good recommendation is not simply a question of asking someone to write one.
And, finally, my favorite: Lets say that Im REALLY lucky, and get a scholarship that worth more than the cost of my tuition again, apart from the lousy writing, this sentence screams ignorance about the colleges he is looking to attend.
Yale (and the rest of the Ivy League) and MIT (and most of the other Ivy-Type colleges) do not offer scholarships. If you have a financial aid need, they will offer you need-based aid. But they dont offer scholarships because they dont have to.
David also believes he should get a scholarship, but has no clue as to how or why it would happen. How do I know? Lets say that Im REALLY lucky, and get a scholarship
Theres a lot he doesnt know about these colleges and about the college search, selection, application and funding process in general.
And when you dont know what you dont know, you end up disappointed.
David may very well have a good shot at schools like Yale and MIT; AND, there might be other colleges he isnt even considering yet that would be even better fits for the type of student he actually is. Problem is, theres a lot he doesnt know (and most likely theres a lot his parents dont know, too).
The solution is to get help with all of this. College is a huge investment of time, effort and money now is not the time to cut corners.
Your Smart Plan For College Assignment:
Take a moment to be really honest with yourself: do you see a bit of yourself or your student in Davids story?
Do you know how the college process really works?
Are you sure?
Outline three steps you could take right now (based on the mistakes David is making or to avoid the myths hes believing) so that you dont end up disappointed.
If you cant list three steps, its time to get some help.
