<p>If I may, I want to spell out a bit what mini wrote above.</p>
<p>As I understand it, many students come to Berea from modest backgrounds, but with their education go on to become financially comfortable.</p>
<p>With their success, and feeling loyal to the place that helped them (Berea), they voluntarily donate back generously to their college so other students from other families, such as Skygirl can be offered nice scholarships. Also, the college invests money to make “endowment” and uses it also, emphasizing scholarships for needy/worthy students.</p>
<p>The actual children of alumni (“legacies”) in the next generation don’t need financial aid because after a generation of education, their Berea-educated parents can pay for their own kids to go there.</p>
<p>So it’s like passing a torch at a relay race. Very cool. It says a lot that the college’s priority is to continue to help each generation of students succeed and rise above.</p>
<p>I been unlucky on the phone until now to get the people/answers I want. I had to send e-mails to specific people now at the colleges instead of the generic <a href=“mailto:admission@school.edu”>admission@school.edu</a>,…
But it is Friday already (:. </p>
<p>Berea has this online form “Would I qualify” on its front page. It will tell you if you meet the financial criteria or not. It is amazing that the school sustained its scholarship system since 1850s.</p>
<p>Ramapo yes. But Berea by end of next week must send in SIR first. Then by end of the month send the $50 deposit. I hope everything clear up by Monday though.</p>
<p>Skygirl…it is hard for some parents to let go. Agreed, it’s time for you to go to college. There are things you can do for your mom while your gone…call, send notes, give her updates…let her know that she is still part of your life and she is an important part. BUT you have a great opportunity to develop and grow. Go for it.</p>
<p>By the way…there are a bunch of us around here who had our kids “late in life”. I’m the same age as your mom!!</p>
<p>I finally managed to talk to a couple of departments at Ramapo yesterday after all. I got all the answers I needed. My counselor was very nice, spoke to her the last, but I got a bit suspicious about my CC footpaths when she told me tell your mom not to worry midway and I didn’t even mention my mom then!
I explained my financial problems to her, and we talked through the numbers. Anyway they didn’t treat like another scholarship kid and were pretty welcoming. Just come here and we can work it out she said.</p>
<p>Berea couldn’t get thm on phone. Still waiting for their last important e-mail on Monday. But I misunderstood their fin aid offer smallish bit. There is no book stipend, but since every Berean must work 10 hours/week, their letter meant I will be able to cover my book expenses with my wages. Fair enough. They are giving so much.
Last week I spoke to the professors of both schools and they seemed nice.
Had to ask bout research opps since like it is my main career focus now.
Seems like I am blogging here :).</p>
<p>SkyGirl,
I wouldn’t worry about the mention of your mom. If the counselor had your file open, she knew you lived with your mom, rather than with ‘parents’.</p>
<p>“I finally managed to talk to a couple of departments at Ramapo yesterday after all. I got all the answers I needed. My counselor was very nice, spoke to her the last, but I got a bit suspicious about my CC footpaths when she told me tell your mom not to worry midway and I didn’t even mention my mom then!”</p>
<p>I agree with mominva: The counselor probably was looking at your file.</p>
<p>Even if Berea and Ramapo admissions officers happen to see what you’ve posted on CC, there’s nothing here that would make you look bad. It’s typical for students to be deciding now between several colleges. You are a strong student for both of those colleges, and I am sure they know that other colleges are competing for you.</p>
<p>It could be helpful for them to know about the situation with your mom in order to offer you the support that you need as you make your decision an go to college.</p>
<p>Still, I highly doubt that they are reading your threads.</p>
<p>Berea college is mentioned in the New York Times education section today. It really looks like a special and supportive place to be. Count me as another mom encouraging you to go to a place that has experience working with first-generation college kids and kids who may not have supportive parents.</p>
<p>This especially was significant in the NY Times article anxiousmom mentioned. It’s a huge achievement to be 16th in the country for endowment per student. Given the cost of living in places like Princeton, the endowment per student at Berea probably is much closer in real terms to Princeton’s than may seem at first glance. </p>
<p>It may be higher, because the value of land and housing is a little lower in Berea, Kentucky than it is in Princeton, New Jersey. The bigger difference is how they SPEND their endowment earnings.</p>
<p>amazing. I didn’t know that about Berea’s endowment.<br>
Good luck with your decisions, SkyGirl. I am sorry your Mom can’t be happy for you this summer. Be strong. She may be proud of you even if she can’t be happy about your going away. You will still be her daughter and college will make you stronger and help you bear up under whatever problems life throws at you. You also have a life to lead and perhaps your own daughter to raise one day. Take this time to enjoy being young and to set aside four years to work and learn. I miss my son a lot, but I realize that he must bond with his own generation now. I am glad I was his teacher/support for a good while. People his age are often his teachers now, and his counselors and support system. This is normal for your twenties and in no way a rejection or abandonment of one’s mother.</p>
The bigger difference is how they SPEND their endowment earnings.</p>