Comments for Outlaw Student

Comment on Are There Scholarships To Pay Off Student Loans? by susan

susan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:16:28 +0000

It might be smart to go back to school online and then apply for money. Just a thought.

Comment on Scholarship Screwup #9: Bore Me With Irrelevant Crap by njorogepurelux

njorogepurelux — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:47:49 +0000

I’ve noticed that some of the applicants are not really good at english,so does that really count in your essay writing??….Does the stuff we need to consider while writing at school matter that much here??…enlighten those of us who are doing this for the first time….and hey,for those of you who find the remarks offensive or somewhat rude,you sure haven’t sampled the world we live in!!….It’s waaaay more than that….I’m in Africa,you should come stay for a while and know what it’s like!!

Comment on Double Degree: What’s The Point? by Mro

Mro — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:26:44 +0000

I am currently planning to get a double major in History and Biology, any comments/opinions on that?

Comment on Remove The Objective by ilya

ilya — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:05:45 +0000

Disagree totally: you should not write bullshit-loaded “objective” paragraph but I think it’s a very good idea to describe in a few (3-7) words what you are after. Do you want to be a software engineer? A sysadmin? A secretary?

Consider a few factors:

1. your resume will likely be separated from a cover letter (so don’t count on cover letters)

2. your resume will likely be read first by HR person/recruiter… If you don’t have “Objective” on your resume then that reader is likely to be the last one: he is not going to waste his time on trying to determine what you are after..

3. even when your resume ends up on the hiring manager’s table, he still may have different positions open and your experience/qualification may not be a totally trivial match to a specific role… Do you think he will call you to clarify? Or will he simply ignore your resume?

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:13 +0000

So I have an issue:
I am graduating from high school a year early and am taking 5 online courses on top of four AP Classes. I also have a job and am heavily involved in extra-curriculars. My GPA isn’t spotless but it’s a 3.94 which I’m proud of but in my AP Chem class I am struggling, even though I love the course, (I have never taken a chem class beforehand) and even with all the after school/weekend/holiday study sessions I don’t think I can pull out better than a B or at the very worst a C+. I’m not giving up but right now I’m at a C+ with a week and a half left of the semester. YELP! I know GPA’s don’t matter extremely but how detrimental will that affect me in the eyes of my colleges, especially since I want to major in biomedical engineering?

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:41:52 +0000

Well think about highly ranked schools like the Ivy leagues. In 2010-11, Princeton got over 27,000 applicants and there are thousands among those who are 3.5-4.0 students, valedictorian, AP Students etc.
So when they see a student who has a 2.5, took hard, rigorous classes and then see that they have another 50 applications with 3.95′s who got A’s in AP Classes then who do you think wins out? Highly ranked schools are extremely competitive so that is not something you should base your opinion whether a GPA matters or not on. Even students who have 4.0′s get turned away at highly ranked schools so it just goes to show that everything is taken into account.

Comment on Two Fatal Mistakes with Recommendation Letters (Counselor Buddy!) by Amanda Richards

Amanda Richards — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:51:48 +0000

The letter is to remained sealed and the student is not supposed to read it. Some teacher’s/counsler will also send you an electronic copy. Some are supposed to be sent directly to the scholarship committee, so always make sure to read directions carefully.

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Svetlana

Svetlana — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:18:43 +0000

Thank you for your advices, Judge Josh!
Since I moved to the United States two years ago, the scholarships became new challenge for me, but, actually, helpful challenge.
I moved during my sophomore year, so the school had to “translate” my old grades into GPA system. The Latvian school system and US system are totally different, but I still got pretty high GPA.
Being an ESL student it is hard to take honors classes. But they are more interesting and suppose to be more helpful in college. Right now, I have C in FST (advance math) class, mostly because I am not getting it because of language barrier. So I came to the point when I need to decide what is better for me, to keep this class in transcript as C and “kill” 3.8 GPA, or make it as “pass” class. I decided to make it “pass/non pass class”. Now reading this article, it seems not the best idea…but I got accepted to Portland State University because of my high GPA. So now I feel unsure about my decision.

Comment on Financial Aid For Americans in Canada? by Probhabati Roy.

Probhabati Roy. — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:47:19 +0000

Dear judge,
Good evening.I want to know which uncle want to help me to go to school/college?Is this true?Its possible by net?
Yours,
Probha.

Comment on Can a Brilliant Illegal Alien Go To College in the U.S.? by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:14:17 +0000

Sadly i am in Juan’s same situation. I really want to do something with my life. I’ve seen the struggles my parents have gone through raising my brother, my sister, and me. We came here legally (on an airplane, with our visa and passports) but with time our passports expired. My father studied engineering back in Mexico but was having a hard time finding a job. When i was about 3 years old he came to the states. Here they (U.S.) would not acknowledge that he was educated in engineering. The gov’t said that if he was to be seen as an engineering, he would have to study here. My dad could not afford to go back to school. He had to provide for my mom, me and my brother (who was on the way). So he took whatever job he could get. My dad was working double shifts and getting almost no sleep. When i was small i never considered any of this, i was just happy to be with my family. Although we are considered illegal my father still pays taxes. Yes, he pays his taxes every year. When i was young the words “illegal” and “legal” meant nothing to me. Now it means everything. I know God has a reason for every tribulation he allows in my families life. God has allowed me to be more open minded and compassionate because of my situation. Now i am 16 and a junior in high school. I am extremely stressed about college and SAT’s. I am contemplating on whether i have a future here in the United States. I have a lot of questions but no one seems to have the answers. I am not eliminating the option of studying in Mexico. I just do not appreciate negative comments. I also have Spanish decent, henceforth i have my Spaniard citizenship. I am considering studying there as well. How do i apply to universities out of the country? I am so afraid of leaving my family and never seeing them again. I’m afraid that if i leave my siblings wont remember me. It is scary to think about leaving everything I’ve ever known.
-Juan i really dont know what to tell you. But dont get married for your citizenship. If you get married let it be for love. I dont know if you believe in God or not but God bless you. God never puts anyone in a situation that they cant handle. He will never give you more than you can handle. He knows your limits and boundaries. I hope everything works out in your life.

-If you ever have a hard time just remember,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13

God Bless you

Comment on Grad School & Low GPA: Can You Get In? by bingo

bingo — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:12:16 +0000

I don’t know if this helps, but I overcame my undergraduate blues. I was an engineering major at a top 10 engineering school with a dismal 2.8 GPA upon graduation. Although in my heart I wanted to go to graduate school, I knew I couldn’t get into graduate school so I focused and studied interview questions inside out, and was able to obtain a full time position with an elite tech company. After about 7 years (waiting patiently), I took the GREs and aced them, applied to graduate schools and gained admission for a master’s program at a top 35 engineering program, and I currently have a 3.83 GPA in my master’s program , and will be planning on continuing on with my Ph.D. in a year. With hardwork anything is possible. Doors are there to keep the people who don’t want it bad enough out, and just let in the people who persevere.

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Yashwant Parmar

Yashwant Parmar — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:53:32 +0000

I’m assuming you live in California:

The UCs do look at weighted GPA. HOWEVER, they calculate the GPAs themselves. A course that says “honors” on the school description is not necessarily considered honors by the UCs. They look at it and think “nice, they tried,” but no extra points (in the GPA) are awarded.

I was bummed too.

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Yashwant Parmar

Yashwant Parmar — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:48:22 +0000

Indeed, a 2.5 is just not good enough. However, a 3.0 unweighted could be good enough, depending on extra-curricular.

Getting B’s in honors/AP classes is just as good as getting A’s in normal classes for GPA, but it shows that you’re willing to try.

Also, many colleges used to go solely on GPA and SAT. That is now being changed (which is great).

By the way, I have a 4.0 weighted (might be higher, grades are still being entered), and just got back the PSAT, on which I got a 206 (top 1% compared to other sophomores, top 3% compared to juniors). I did not study. So I’m not just defending bad grades because I feel sorry for myself.

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Yashwant Parmar

Yashwant Parmar — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:42:49 +0000

At my school, Honors Geometry isn’t weighted by the UCs. You can go to the UC website(s) to see if your Geo H is, but I’d assume no.

That being said: A ‘C’ in honors isn’t bad. A ‘B’ would be better

Comment on Hard Classes vs. Spotless GPA: What’s Better? by Yashwant Parmar

Yashwant Parmar — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:41:04 +0000

I’m currently a high-school sophomore. I have a weighted 4.0 (might be higher, dunno, don’t care). Now, I got an 89% in Chemistry Honors. You’d think I’d be annoyed that my teacher did not round.

I do not care.

I am currently in the process of setting up a volunteer music school at a local YMCA, I have played the violin for 7 years, I play soccer (I plan on going out for the school team junior and senior years), I do Speech & Debate, I did art for several years, I will be on the school Badminton team, I got a 206 on the PSAT w/o studying (sucks that I’m a sophomore and can’t use it), blah blah blah

Yeah, the 4.0 is helpful. But it’s the rest of the stuff that’s going to make or break my apps. A 4.0 isn’t necessary, but it’s helpful. But a 4.0 alone isn’t nearly good enough.

Comment on Parental Horseshit by Cat

Cat — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:44:56 +0000

I take riding lessons, and I admire what my instructor does training those horses, not to mention their humans. It’s not easy. That said, she also works two jobs besides giving riding lessons to support herself and her daughter–and the horses and other assorted animals. But she obviously loves it, and it’s her passion. God bless anyone who wants to do the same.

Comment on I Want Baylor. Parents Want Ivy League. by Susan

Susan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:15:33 +0000

These parents sound just like mine. I went to the school they picked for me, and was unhappy for it. I changed my thinking (it’s much easier to do when you no longer live with your parents) and studied what I wanted and then married the person I wanted to.

I’m successful in my chosen career and am happy with my spouse. Don’t let your parents bully you into thinking you don’t know what is best for you. You know what’s best. Not them.

Comment on Rejected From College: Why? by Sterling Feeser

Sterling Feeser — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:38:20 +0000

Where did your daughter attend college in Ohio? Thank you

Comment on Scholarship Screwup #2: Bore Me With Your GPA by Amony Malle

Amony Malle — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:45:00 +0000

I could say look at some famous people that never go school and they achieved to their dreams and hope. I could say what is matter the most is the effort who put in to achieved their goals and dreams. Even my GPA is low, I use that GPA to be my motivation and I willing to stand strong to achieve my dreams.

Comment on Scholarship Screwup #2: Bore Me With Your GPA by Amony Malle

Amony Malle — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:36:36 +0000

My point about GPA. GPA is a rate of number only for high school and college to see who the highest students or not. Its really matter about the student who willing to put effort in school and college to get a higher GPA or not. GPA is a motivation for students to put effort in school and college; maybe not. Its really depend on the students. Yes, in high school students GPA is 3.0 and up, BUT when they enter in college the GPA went down to a 2.0 because it really depend on the students effort or they try their best an end up to get a 2.0 in the first semester. Sometime is not a good ideas to always look at the GPA because is only the number rate of students and never know or see the effort the students put in high school or college.