Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

this is the sad,cold,hard trtuh.

1.Colleges nearly worship middle-class and rich students deeply involved in stellar grades and athletics. If your like me,a poor,white female,drop-out on the verge of getting my GED,then you can bet dollars to donuts there nearly no hope or potential in getting in ANY university or college

2.All scholarships are shallow, only based on academics,race and athletics and other achievements. And the FAFSA is really no good at helping you(at least for me,maybe I applied to late) And that once again the rich and middle class get most of the money in scholarships for college,when they don't really need it,Particilarly if they have college savings.


and the reason for this, is because most of these schools only want "certain students" that meet their criteria. Its not really about learning,its about snobbery and prestige.


so,why do I want to go to college? Its hard to get a job right now,but its a billion times easier than to get into college.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 02:36 pm: Edit

There actually are colleges and scholarships for students just like you. Community colleges have resources for students like you. Some 4-year colleges also have special programs including scholarships for nontraditional students such as yourself. Some even have special support services.

There also are scholarships based on community service, overcoming challenges, character etc. The $1,000 scholarships offered by Papa Johns Pizza Co. are just 1 example of this.

Depending on what profession you want to go into, you also could qualify for $. Some such scholarships also are based more on financial need than on academic performance. You have to have grades good enough to indicate that you can succeed in college, but you don't need straight As.

Of course the highest ranked colleges -- Ivies, flagship state universities, etc. do offer admission only to steller students. However there are many colleges out there that will accept students like you.

By Sar (Sar) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 02:48 pm: Edit

So which college *did* you get into, Candyice? Or are you still applying?

And if you're so poor and drop-out, why are you still wasting your time here, instead of trying to make yourself more appealing to colleges and employers? Or out there bugging financial aid offices to give you more money?

You have to keep in mind that universities and colleges are out there to make money, too. It wouldn't be fair to expect them to accept every decent poor person out there who is eager to learn. The only schools that come close to that expectation these days are some government-sponsored schools and community colleges, and those aren't bad at all, **if you're a good student.**

Even if colleges do respect your situation, they would not appreciate the fact that you are a drop-out, unless you tell them explicitly about a very good excuse, like a family emergency, or doing something special for the community, or something like that; they don't want to accept someone who might just drop out again because he or she is not accustomed to school work. Would YOU make such a risky investment?

The thing is, your situation is not that uncommon. Most scholarships are for merit (PLUS financial need--which gets many middle-classers very frustrated); if you have nothing to show them that you can do something good with the money they're offering, why should they give it to you? It's the same logic that prevents New Yorkers from donating change to every beggar on the street--what if they use the money to buy booze? What if the money they give you goes to waste if you decide to drop out again? Or if you fail because you can't handle your courseload? They can't be sure, and there are so many other people out there who seem to show more promise, so you're just pushed aside like so many others are.

But there are some scholarships, established by very nice people, that you might have a better chance at than those "middle-class rich people." Just do a simple web search...

If you just want a job, then consider technical or vocational school, instead of college. Those are SO much easier to get into, and cost a lot less than college... and you don't have to take liberal arts courses, either. Meanwhile, you can do small jobs in the field you hope to enter--there are more ways to learn than just listening to a teacher.

Ultimately, just get out there and smile at the world; the world is bound to smile back.

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:12 pm: Edit

Candyice: Start with your workforce office ( or whatever your state unemployment office is called), ask if they have any training programs available. Job Corps could be the answer to your problem. Once you get your foot in the door, do your best to convey a responsible, positive attitude and always be polite to all of the personnel. Good luck and keep your chin up.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:19 am: Edit

I would also recommend that you look at taking basic classes at your local community college. The tuition is low. There you can demonstrate that you are interested and capable of learning. So far, you have not demonstrated that. It is not good enough to say you are ready to learn now, you have to show it through your work. If you do well on the basic classes at community college, you can often transfer your credits to a regular college or university for your final 2 years. The other advantage to doing it this way is that you complete the basic classes at a much lower cost and then get the more advanced classes at the university, thus saving yourself quite a bit of money.

And yes, there is money out there for students like you but you have to show that you deserve it by getting good grades.