Some questions about colleges and scholarships?

Question

I'm a junior in high school, about to become a senior. Currently, I'm number one in my class with a 102.3 weighted GPA. I attend a very small high school in Mississippi, and there will probably be only 100 or so students graduating in my class. I would really like to attend a college in Florida and I made a 26 on my ACT. My questions are: 1) How do I begin to file for any kind of scholarship? 2) What colleges in Florida are good for degrees in creative writing? 3) If I get a scholarship to a college do I have to attend that college? and 4) Do I really need two years of a foreign language to attend a college? (I plan on taking physics and AP chemistry instead, will this be good enough?) Any other help regarding college information would be extremely useful. Oh, and I would have asked my counselors about all of this, but my counselors are complete idiots. Thanks so much; I really appreciate it!

Answer 1

Try reading this article about getting a free ride to college:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/208656/how_to_get_a_free_ride_to_college.html

Answer 2

just a quick add to what everyone else said:

I know Florida International University has a decent program in Creative Writing. I would advise getting a higher score in your ACT as well, or trying to get a nice score in your SAT. They do give out scholarships to incoming students, but as it is a state univ., you will be classified as an out-of-state student, and will have to pay out-of-state fees...which are mind-numbing. The other good univs here are Univ. of Florida, and Florida State.

Other points to note: even if you don't have the foreign language requirements, some schools will just make you take extra classes in those subjects. So you'd have to start with say, Spanish 1 and go through to Spanish 5. Would recommend taking the for. language in High School..less money to spend on something like that there than in college.

Lastly, be careful about choosing creative writing. A lot of ppl are skeptical: How can you be creative if you're following a univ. curriculum? And what will you be doing after you graduate with that degree? Who'll hire you? You need to figure these things out - writing is something you don't NEED to go to univ. for. Just read...and write. I would advise probably double-majoring with a different field as a backup so you'll have a job. New graduates find it difficult to find any jobs as there is a work experience barrier.

Answer 3

You are on the right track looking for scholarships now. If you want a merit scholarship, a few things need to be improved which are your ACT score and two years of a foreign language. Most competitive colleges look for two years of a foreign language minimum. The higher ACT score will qualify you for merit scholarships, and I recommend taking a good test preparation course over the summer or a good study guide. Also you should be looking at school activities to sure up for the admission application to look better. The two sciences would look fantastic if you were applying for a science major (such as biology, pre medical, chemistry, etc.) if you had the two years of a foreign language, but it could not probably overcome the foreign language deficit. I will include some information that should provide more information.

First, the college's financial aid office and website has a list of private scholarships offered from outside organizations and companies. Sometimes a college major's website will list scholarships, too.

Second, the public library has a book listing scholarships with some not even listed on the web.

Third, the high school guidance office has a list of local scholarships and state scholarships & grants.

Fourth, a campus work study job can help with money needed during the school year. The program is funded by the federal government. It will be a job on campus and most times can work to your availability schedule. There should be a box on the FAFSA form for it.

Fifth, fill out the FAFSA form after January 1 of your senior year of high school. It will qualify her for need based financial aid from the federal government and the school itself. It will come in the form of scholarships, Pell Grant, student loans, and the work study program.

Sixth, study and practice for the SAT or ACT tests. It can help bring merit scholarships from the college itself.

Seventh, states do offer grant and scholarships for students with excellent grades. Search Google.com and Yahoo.com for these grants and scholarships with your state's name.

Finally, I recommend joining several free membership scholarship search websites. There are scholarships for a variety of things including ethnicity, clubs, hobbies, and even wearing duct tape to the high school prom. Most are updated on a regular basis. Most offer a customized search based on information entered onto a form on the website.

Good luck!

Answer 4

1) You can contact the financial aid department of the University that you choose and they will help you, even at this point. You can also get a catalog from the University and look through that for available scholarships.
2) Can't help you there
3) No
4) A foreign language is totally advisable. This will give you a leg up in the job market later. You will be ahead of anyone who is not bilingual. Sounds like you are off to a great start in life, please reconsider studying a foreign language any time you get the opportunity.

Answer 5

Flagler college has a strong English Department. It is private, only costs about $19,000 per year. Look on their website, and you will find information on scholarships. Take the ACT over for a better score. Flagler College is in St. Augustine, FLorida.

Answer 6

hey!! good job with your gpa...you can find many scholarships EVERYWHERE...there is website called fastweb.com....go there..sign up...there are tons of scholarships....if you get a scholarship for a particular college does not mean that you have to attend! you really dont need those extra years of a foreign language, but trust me, it looks way better on your transcripts!


and yes..some councelors dont know nething.....
good luck!!

Answer 7

you can use this link to find scholarships to mostly any schooll...

www.fastweb.com