Class Schedule, Orientation, & Beach Week.

It has been a while since I have wrote and posted. I definitely have posts just sitting and waiting to be published, but a lot of my writing from graduation is super personal. Personal enough that I am just not ready to share.

This summer has taken me out of the house, away from my computer, and into more states than I can count. I am very blessed to have had a pleasant mix of traveling, fun, and work.

Things kicked off with beach week. It was the best stress relief after such a long, difficult year. By far my favorite part of this summer... The week reconfirmed what I already knew. I like having my independence. I have the best friends a girl can ask for. I love DayGlow. Also, I have picked a perfect rooming situation for college. There are far too many pictures that are my "favorites" to post them all. Here is just one for share:

All four of us piled into the car.

Following that, I went to orientation. It was an.... interesting.... experience. Mostly, the sessions gave me information I already had heard. My roommate (for the night) never came home. Instead, she went to a frat party. Did I tell you that she woke up late and never registered for classes? On the other hand, I got into every single class I wanted. I contribute that to my quick typing fingers.

Schedule

Well, this is enough for one night. Trust me, there is plenty more, including my dorm shopping, color scheme coordinating, purple madness, Tennessee adventure, lake party fun. 

Till then,

Brittany

xoxox

Recap: Capturing the Precious Moments

No words needed. Except....

 

Jealousy is the worst. Check my grammar.... now :)

Brittany
xoxox

Catching up and Video

It has been forever since I have been on, checked in, and posted. When I logged in I realized that some of my posts never posted (because somehow, dum dum me, forgot to set the time schedule correctly). I will be uploading them after orientation next week. The post are as follows:

Notes to Brooke: The Final Message

Graduation: Pre-Thoughts

Graduation: Reflection

Pictures of Senior Year, Graduation, and More

Recap: Vacation, Orientation, Dorm Shopping, and Class Scheduling

Until then, here is a tiny teaser.

The huge audience approximating 5,000 people. Can you find my family? Photo Credit: Cindy Chamberlain

My parents had their own shirts and surprised me! Photo Credit: Chapelboro Newspaper

I was featured in the Herald-Sun which has direct information from an interview and a quote from my speech!

Oh, and I guess I just could not resist. I edited the graduation video that recorded my speech, and, for everyone who asked, here it is!

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Brittany

Notes to Brooke: Financial Aid and Update on Scholarships

I hate to ruin your hopes sissy, but you will probably get no financial aid. Sorry, boo.

But for everyone else, I applied and went through the process and this is what I can tell you. It is soo tedious and long.

You should start to fill out the forms in February and March. Use your taxes from last year and guessed-a-mate this years returns. They look at your assets, pay, land, pretty much everything. If you have a million dollar loan, make $90,000 a year but have a ton in assets that make up for everything when sold, they are gonna give you no financial aid most likely. I recommend everyone complete this no matter how you think your outcome will be. Why? because you may be surprised. Based off of your financial aid information they can give you grants, loans, or scholarships. Carolina gives out the covenant which is a full ride just for financial aid need-based.

The two types of forms that you should complete is the FASFA and Profile. I recommend doing both. They do cost a little bit to send off. Students, you are gonna get off the hook easy here. Your parents should really complete this themselves. Mine did. There was about ten questions she had to ask me out of all the millions they asked (okay... it wasn't a million but it sure felt like it.) Brace yourself. You will not complete this form in one sitting so do not wait until the last minute.

When accepted, between April and may is when financial info comes back. They will usually notify you via email that it is ready for viewing.

I have been answering some questions lately so here is a short update because I am sure others want to know too :)

What type of essay do you use for a college admissions or scholarship?

I use a narrative most times. It has dialogue and bring a sensory image to the readers mind, allowing them to recreate the picture in there heads. You want your reader to feel something. Make it stand out and grab their attention. Here is an piece of my scholarship and college admissions essay:

"Warm tears course down my cheeks, my make-up dissolving. I snap the phone shut, taking in the gut-wrenching news. She was dead.

            I remember one day in particular spent with Ella, a pediatric cancer patient I worked with while volunteering. Sitting in a chair, hooked up to a chemo IV drip, Ella fiddled with her iPod. As I approached her, my eyes met her piercing blue gaze. She gently tugged the headphones until they fell out. Taking the seat beside her, I politely asked, “What are we listening to today?”

“The new Miley Cyrus song,” she quickly replied. This is the typical music of a six-year old.

She shivered from the cold toxins that entered her blood, but she didn’t complain. Grabbing the blanket by her, covering up, she confidently questioned, “Like my new do?”

I noticed her blonde, curly locks turned into wispy strings, wildly spiked.

“You look gorgeous, as always!” I responded. I saw the chemo taking affect. Turning a slightly tinted green, Ella’s face showed signs of discomfort. Ella, determined to get through the treatment, put on a radiant smile. 

“Aren’t you ready to go home?” I curiously inquired.

             “Of course I am, but the medicine will be done soon, and I’ll be all better,” she voiced with assurance.

            After learning she died, I wanted to honor her memory by bringing more music into the lives of pediatric cancer patients. I searched for a charity, combining the aspects of cancer, children, and music." 

Cappex will also tell you your chances of getting into a college.

If you are employed, ask you employer if they have a scholarship.

Google scholarships and your city & state. There will be schools who post them online (that is a newsletter that says a ton of scholarships). Just because you don't go to the school, doesn't mean you cannot look over their scholarships. You may be able to apply to some of those. Use your resources.

Also, I was lucky to be caught in a weird situation. My school is in one county and my house address is in another. This allowed me to apply to scholarships in both countys.  So look for special circumstances you can spin in your favor like my example. 

Hope this answers some more questions.

xoxo,
Brittany 

Notes to Brooke: Scholarships

I have two words for you. Start. Early.

Fun Fact: They start offering scholarships beginning freshman year of high school for college. Example: the best buy scholarship (all four years in high school), Nordstrom (junior year)

What can you win a scholarship for?

You can win a scholarship based on Merit/Academic, Community Service, Financial, Hardship, and Miscellaneous. They even have a scholarship for height.

Where should I start looking for these scholarships at?

These are some great websites:
cfnc.com
fastweb.com
cappex.com

These websites are the ones I used the most. They ask a bunch of questions. Answer them all. They will then match you to scholarships. It works wonders. My counselor was my biggest source though. National scholarships application deadlines usually run between August to January where as local scholarships run from January to May. Also, look at the school you apply to. They have scholarships you can apply for.

Side Notes:

Read the requirements. Even if it says must demonstrate financial aid, if you can show it in any way, writing a little blurb, etc. still apply.
The little scholarships really add up. Trust me.
National scholarships will require more work because there will be more competition than local scholarships.
The essays you use for college applications you can also use for scholarships. They are gonna be so many that you will be overwhelmed. Be wise with your time.
Take the PSAT your junior year. This will allow you to qualify for national merit.
If there is an interview, take it. Always dress nice. My biggest thing and "secret" that won a scholarship for me was I would send a thank you note in the mail after speaking with anyone. I cannot tell you how many times people were blown away by that because no one else takes the time to do it.
Learn to sell yourself. No one else is going to advocate better for you than your own self. Who is gonna want you if you're not proud of yourself?
Become friends with your counselor. Mine will call me when she sees something that I can apply for because she knows I appreciate it and will do what she says.
Have a designated picture for scholarships. Headshot.
Build up your resume. I won nearly all of my $10,000 because of my volunteering.
Have 2 to 3 recommendations done and ready to send off.
Search for major store scholarships
If you have a disease or disorder, there is probably a scholarship for it.
Do not get discouraged. Letters will come in the mail more towards april.
Check your email often. Scholarship programs email a lot.


Fun fact: About one out of every five to ten scholarships you apply to you will win. I applied to approximately 40 scholarships.

Here is my list of scholarship to get you started:

North Carolina Jaycees Five Outstanding Teenagers Scholarship
Khols cares scholarship-Won store level
Eward Cathey masonic Scholarship
Hillsborough exchange club scholarship- DONE (month and year)
Richies spirit
Hillsborough Rotary Club Scholarship- Won
Visine Scholarship
best buy- WON
KFC- (heavy financial aid)
Florence kidder memorial- Won regional
ronald mcdonald scholarship- (heavy financial aid needed)
Burger King Scholarship- (heavy financial aid needed)
Elks Scholarship- Semi Finalist
Morehead Cain-UNC-CH
MLK Scholarship at UNC- WON
Lowes Scholarship
PEO scholarship
Robertson- Duke
Coca Cola- Semi Finalist
Principle leadership award
AXA achievement community scholarship- WON
Reagan Scholarship- (heavy financial aid required)
Doing good scholarship
Footlocker Scholarship- Athletics heavily required
cedar grove ruitan
hillsborough sertoma club
richard whitted- Creative Civitan Club- WON
hillsborough rotary club- WON
AFSA High School Senior Scholarship Contest

Hope this helps.

Brittany
xoxo

Notes to Brooke: Pick and apply to your College

Okay, so hear it goes.

One day soon, you are gonna have to go to college. Why? because you can't make a living other than working at McDonalds without a college degree. Sorry babe.

What to look for:

1. Location (how far do you want to be away? In state or out of state)
2. Money (how much is tuition, are they gonna give you a scholarship, can you apply for financial aid)
3. Student to teacher ratio (do you want a huge class or more personalized? personally, I wanted a lower ratio. It really mattered in my decision)
4. Girl to Boy ratio (do not base your decision off of this. But do decide if you want a co-ed school. Brooke, I know you. You will)
5. National Rank (I know this sounds crazy, but if you are only getting your bach. degree, a schools name can give you more credibility and more pay if well known. Take for example, we all know of UNC chapel hill. It is know around the states, not just in NC. But who would know of Leural College in NC? Yes, it is a real college. I looked it up.)
6. Sports (do you want to play in college? If so you need to register with clearing house. Coaches can't contact you for a certain period of time so you need to call them. Invite them to game.)
7. If you want to go to a post grad school, look at their acceptance rates. Statistics are your friends.
8. I am sure I can name off a longer list, but focus on what is important to you. You have to be there for four years so make sure you are happy.

How to get into these schools:

1. SAT Scores or ACT: look at what the average score is for acceptance. You need to try to at least be in that range, if not higher. These days, schools are relying less on this but it is still important. You need to take the SAT II if you submit your SAT to the college. The SAT II will be used for college placement. I suggest taking the Math II test.
2. Early Decision: if you are 100 percent sure of where you want to go, apply early decision. This is binding so be sure.
3. Early Action: this is different from early decision. It is not binding. You just know your decision or admissions status by Jan. instead of April.
4. Learn how to write an essay: In your case, Brooke, you need to attend Mr. Cox's workshops Junior year. He will still be there when you get there, god willing. He is amazing. Take his advice. I kill some narratives for scholarships and college essays because of him. Take AP English. It will be hard but do it. Also, reuse your essays for admissions essays and scholarships. Just tweek it to fit the prompt. You will not have time to crank on out for all of these applications.
5. Use your time wisely: You can start on college applications the summer before your senior year. You are gonna want to do that. Trust me. Don't submit. Just start. At least fill in the basics.
6. AP Testing: Pay the $85 for the AP test if you think you will do well. It will save you thousands in college. Promise. It will be used for placement as well and you can earn hours of credit.
7. Tour the schools: The best time would be the summer before senior year. Once you narrow it down, tour the top two again. You really need to narrow choices down to four schools tops. It gets expensive applying and is a ton of work. You can get a excused college visit once from the school.
8. Become friends with your counselors: She or he will need to proof your application before you submit it. Mrs. Ward is fabulous. I could not have done any of this without her. They are there to help you. MAKE THEM HELP!
9. Become friends with your teachers: You need at least two to write you a recommendation. These are important.
10. VOLUNTEER: I cannot stress enough how this has not only helped me getting into college but also getting scholarships. This was my one thing that caught someones attention and made me stand out.
11. Keep up your grades and GPA: this is common sense. Be a good student. Don't slack all the time.
12. Join clubs and be active in your school: I had a total of four activities (which is what colleges like to see) that I was super active in. Take on responsibility by holding an officer position.
13. Have an Interview if given the opportunity: this allows them to see who is becoming part of their community. Show who you are and your personality.
14. Use common App or Universal app if you are applying to like Wake, Duke, UNC, etc. There is a whole list and allows a common application to go to all of them and then all you have to do is a supplement for each school. It is so much easier.

This stuff does not happen over night. You have to work from the beginning.

Most of all, have fun.

Most college applications are due by October/Nov-ish. You find out in April most times. It is agonizing waiting. But when the letters come, and they will come, take pictures, document the time opening it. The feeling of getting accepted somewhere is one you can't replace. It will be super special. Time really will fly.

whew. I think that's all I have to say on picking, applying, and readying for college.

xoxo,
Brittany

The wait will be worth it.

I know I have not wrote in a very long time. But I have good reason. I promise. I have wrote, just not published. But more on that later.

Today, I have successfully wrote two graduation speeches and completed a very special gift to the class of 2012 for graduation day. To look over all of it, good and bad, has put me to tears at times. Good tears of course. I can't believe all the wonderful places we, the class of 2012, are going. It astonishes me that we have came this far and embarking on this new journey will only be the beginning. It saddens me that some of these people I may never speak to again. Of course, I hope that is not the case. On graduation day, I will be completely nervous (just hope I don't studder), emotional (hopefully, no tears for me), and happy that I have accomplished so much. This project has been so close to my heart and to reveal it to everyone, including my family who I have not shown, will be wonderful.

Recently, I accepted many awards at senior awards night as well as received a few more scholarships from the Civitan club. I am proud to say, I have raised approximately $10,000 to go towards my college expenses. I have also finished high school. Now all I have to do is graduate.

This weekend, on Sunday, I graduate from NCSSM where I will also be speaking. Sunday is also our soccer banquet. Monday, I have my last scholarship dinner. Friday after that is Orange's Graduation. Saturday is my family and adult graduation party to celebrate all the adults in my life who have helped me this far. I am proud to say we had to cater because there were so many people coming. Fifty approximately. I am so blessed with all the people in my life who love me. And Sunday, I leave for a much deserved vacation. So many "last's" but truly only the beginning.

Now, I previously said I was writing. Well, I did not lie. Next week, there will be a blog post everyday in dedication to my sister, Brooke. I will miss you more than words could ever say. I wanted you to have something you could save forever, look back on, and use. These next couple days will give you just that. I love you, baby girl! Please stay tuned for the series, "Notes to Brooke". Everyday will be a new helpful topic for high school and soon to be college students. But one day will be just what I wrote, a note to Brooke.

Oh, and I promise there will be tons of pictures in one of next weeks post. From this year especially. I know I have been slacking on that front.

xoxo,
Brittany