Why I Need to Get Scholarship - Essay Example

?FL Part I: FL’s ment My parents immigrated to the US from Mexico in search of better opportunities and to escape the limited opportunities accorded them in Mexico. It has been very difficult for my family, particularly with the ongoing financial crisis and job losses. My family was already having a difficult time financially, but the financial crisis only made things worse. My father lost his job and although he eventually went back to work, he barely makes enough to get by. Making matters worse, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes and most of my father’s income is absorbed by medical bills and maintaining the home. Quite often there is nothing left after discharging my mother’s medical bills. My family’s financial struggles have put me at a disadvantage in school. We cannot afford to buy new school clothes and shoes and I am quite often wearing old and worn clothes and shoes to school and this makes me self-conscious, particularly when other school children are dressed smartly. We cannot afford a computer which puts me at a greater disadvantage. Quite often I have assignments that require the use of a computer. Although I can use the library’s computer, I can ill afford the time. Without bus fare, I have to walk home from school and using the library would cause serious delays. I quite often feel so despaired that I fear I might have a breakdown. I believe that a scholarship would greatly reduce some of the financial burdens on my family and would put my family in a better position to support my education. To begin with, I would be able to purchase a home computer and the necessary school supplies. With these burdens lifted I would be in a better position to focus on my education and produce at a much higher level. Part II: Counselor’s Recommendations FL is a focused student with a clear understanding of where he wants to go in life and is keenly aware of the obstacles he has to overcome to get there. He is frustrated by the obstacles, particularly the financial struggles his family faces and is aware that the solution is out of his hands. FL’s current situation is dire and if he does not obtain a resolution to his situation, it is unlikely that he will be able to remain in school. If his problems persist, it is conceivable that FL would drop out of school to help relieve his family’s financial burdens. Right now his mother’s illness appears to be the family’s number one financial priority. As a result, FL’s school needs are sorely lacking. It is therefore recommended that FL benefits from a scholarship. This is a student who is very committed to school work and academic success. He is looking ahead to the future and as a result, FL is actively engaged in college preparatory programs. In addition, he is participating in cross country running. As a dedicated and driven student, it would be a benefit to both the school community and FL if he is awarded a scholarship and therefore remains in school and able to pursue a higher education. FL’s family is struggling financially as they are living on his father’s small income. FL’s mother is suffering from diabetes and this absorbs a great part of the family’s income. As a result of the family’s financial struggles, FL is disadvantaged at school. His family cannot afford to buy a computer. He often has to walk home from school as he cannot always afford bus fare. His school clothes and shoes are used and makes him self-conscious. FL is frustrated by the obstacles to his school productivity. FL wants to go onto college. FL will likely feel better about himself and thus remain committed in school if he is granted a scholarship. EG Part I: EG’s Statement I have always aspired to attend a good university and graduate in the top 10% of my class. I am working toward achieving these goals by currently focusing on my grades and ensuring that they are good enough to get me into a good university. However, at the moment I am currently facing some financial difficulties that could interfere with my plans to get into a good university and to graduate in the top 10% of my class. To begin with, my father leaves for work too early to give me a ride to John Maury University where I participate in college preparatory programs. I therefore have to set out two hours ahead of time to ensure that I make it to the university on time. Although my father’s income is often enough to discharge my family’s bills, there are times when he cannot take care of all of the bills. I am often tempted to find a part-time job to help out, but I am torn because I know it will take me away from my school work and thus compromise my long-term and current educational goals. I would really benefit from a scholarship as it would relieve me of the concerns I always have about finances and I will be free to focus on my school work and work toward my goals for university. Part II: Counselor’s Recommendations EG is an ambitious and committed student with clearly defined goals. EG has carefully figured out what he wants to do with his education, how far he wants to take it and has identified some obstacles that could interfere with his goals. Even so, EG is determined to strive toward his goals. For the time being, he remains focused but leaves open the possibility that he might have to divert some of his energy toward assisting with his father’s financial responsibilities and take on part time work. As EG acknowledges however, his constant fretting over financial difficulties is a distraction from his current studies and thus can compromise his goals of getting into a good university and graduating in the top 10%. Making matters, if EG were to seek to escape his financial worries by taking on work, he will probably be less able to focus on his studies than he currently is. It is also conceivable that EG will have to give up his college preparatory programs and thus further compromise his opportunities for getting into a good college and succeeding beyond that point. Given EG’s commitment to the Fine Arts Academy and his taking rigorous academic classes and his active participation in college preparatory programs, he is a satisfactory candidate for a scholarship. It is therefore recommended that EG be granted a scholarship so as to safeguard against his discontinuance of the rather impressive academic path that he is currently committed to and pursuing. EG has identified, set and committed himself to specific and achievable academic goals. He is currently overcoming some of the financial difficulties that his family has by getting up early and starting out for his college preparatory program two hours early in order to get there on time. This is a manifestation of EG’s drive and determination. The admirable drive and determination that fuels EG’s academic pursuits may also motivate EG to take on work to help share his father’s financial responsibilities. If this happens, EG’s academic course could be altered to his detriment. EG is a good student with a promising future. A scholarship is the only certain means by which to ensure that this good and engaged student does not fall through the cracks. Read More