3 answers
Brinda
Student
Berkley, Massachusetts
1
Question
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How scholarships will help me in college?
I want to know how the majors and courses will affect my degree programs and about living far from my family.
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3 answers
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
462
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
You can go to just about any college/university website and see what classes are required for each major. Broadly speaking, there are two sets of requirements. The "general" education stuff. Every school I've looked at required things like history, English, math, science, humanities, etc. Back in the dark ages when I was in school, each class was categorized (science were "A", humanities were "M", etc). You had to then take 2 "A" classes, 1 "B", etc.
Additionally, your specific major will have requirements. There will be several mandatory classes (intro to X, a few other fundamentals), then several "choose any of these" lists. I'm currently enrolled in a masters program where about half the classes are specified, and the other half are "choose any five of these 15 (or so) classes).
Scholarships are just money someone gives you to help pay for school. They can be from the school, the government, private organizations, or just about anywhere. They are "free" money that you don't have to pay back. You can also get loans, which you DO have to pay back.
Living away from home can be both terrible and wonderful. I went to a local school, but lived in the dorms. After a few weeks, I didn't WANT to go home. Of course, everyone is different. Schools often have lots of events the first few weeks to help you get used to being on your own.
Additionally, your specific major will have requirements. There will be several mandatory classes (intro to X, a few other fundamentals), then several "choose any of these" lists. I'm currently enrolled in a masters program where about half the classes are specified, and the other half are "choose any five of these 15 (or so) classes).
Scholarships are just money someone gives you to help pay for school. They can be from the school, the government, private organizations, or just about anywhere. They are "free" money that you don't have to pay back. You can also get loans, which you DO have to pay back.
Living away from home can be both terrible and wonderful. I went to a local school, but lived in the dorms. After a few weeks, I didn't WANT to go home. Of course, everyone is different. Schools often have lots of events the first few weeks to help you get used to being on your own.
Anna Rush
Project Management
4
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Anna’s Answer
HI Brinda! I am going to respond on the back half of your question...about living away from your family. At 18, I went to college 2 hours away and had to live there. Even though I was super independent in high school and thought I knew everything.... when I got to college it was a whole different ball field.
It took me some getting used to. I was homesick for about 2 weeks and didn't think I could stay. However, I started making friends within the dorms and it got easier. I think about it now at the age of 36 and it was the best experience I could have done. You learn so much from other people which helps you later in life. When you go to get your 1st job after college, you will know what I mean.
I think you will do great and adapt to college life. Always remember you can go home on weekends or breaks to see your family. And when you do, you will always have an awesome story to tell them! Good luck!
It took me some getting used to. I was homesick for about 2 weeks and didn't think I could stay. However, I started making friends within the dorms and it got easier. I think about it now at the age of 36 and it was the best experience I could have done. You learn so much from other people which helps you later in life. When you go to get your 1st job after college, you will know what I mean.
I think you will do great and adapt to college life. Always remember you can go home on weekends or breaks to see your family. And when you do, you will always have an awesome story to tell them! Good luck!
Zahra Merchant
Consulting
7
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Zahra’s Answer
Hi Brinda! To start with your first question, scholarships are a great way to help with college in terms of money and opportunities. When you apply for scholarships, you are opening up to cohort groups at specific college or winning a scholarship to help pay for college. No matter what scholarship is out there, you should see if it's applicable to you and apply!! My biggest advice is to not read a scholarship and think you are not qualified or you won't get it because everyone is applying. In a lot of situations, people are thinking the same way that they aren't qualified and shouldn't apply or they won't get it. It does take time, but you should 100% apply and see what opportunities you can get to help you.
To answer your second question, your college is determined with what you are hoping to gain from college. Is there a specific school you really want to go to? Is there a specific major you are super interested in? Based on what you are looking for, this will determine where you end up going. It is hard if you choose to go to a school away from your family, but you would be going to better your education and gain opportunities for your future self. It's definitely not ideal and there are possibilities to be home sick, but there are ways to keep up with your family even miles away. To circle back, scholarships will also help you with this as well because you could gain a scholarship that could help you pay for flights, boarding, classes, food, etc. Give yourself all the opportunities because once you are in college, you won't get any chances for scholarships!
To answer your second question, your college is determined with what you are hoping to gain from college. Is there a specific school you really want to go to? Is there a specific major you are super interested in? Based on what you are looking for, this will determine where you end up going. It is hard if you choose to go to a school away from your family, but you would be going to better your education and gain opportunities for your future self. It's definitely not ideal and there are possibilities to be home sick, but there are ways to keep up with your family even miles away. To circle back, scholarships will also help you with this as well because you could gain a scholarship that could help you pay for flights, boarding, classes, food, etc. Give yourself all the opportunities because once you are in college, you won't get any chances for scholarships!