Demonstrating interest in your major

You’re going to major in Computer Science, but your school doesn’t offer higher level computer courses. You think you’d like to be a doctor, veterinarian, dentist, etc., but your school doesn’t have classes or clubs related to health professions. You’re definitely going to do something that will lead you to elected office and maybe the presidency someday, but you’re not on the student council. You’re going to work as a park ranger, but don’t have an outdoors club.

One of the strangest things i hear from students is that they intend to major in a field they’ve had literally no exposure to outside TV or movies. College admissions advisors feel similarly. How do you know you really want to do this? Are you sure?

When I suggest that you look for experiences in the field, I don’t mean you have to already been working as a doctor to get into medical school. But you should look at how medical schools admit students. Medical schools do have a minimum set of required courses, and a set entrance exam minimum, but they also, and increasingly significantly, look at the hobbies, volunteer and work experience of a student. Do your previous experiences show that you know what you’re getting into? Are you ready for a career which is going to put you in contact with lots of goo, blood, paperwork, etc.? Are you a people person? Do you know how to balance work and self-care?

And it is somewhat similar for undergraduate applications at schools that consider your major when making admissions decisions. If you’re interested in a computer science degree, what do you know about computer science? Are you ready for it?

Given the vast amount of courses, tutorials, interest communities, etc., on the internet, a lack of a course or club at your high school related to your intended major, or a lack of access due to something like the Coronavirus-related evacuations/school closures, shouldn’t stop you from getting some hand’s on, or at least virtual, experience in your intended field.

So, take a MOOC, volunteer for a public health campaign, write postcards for your favorite political candidates, research advances in gene editing or resonance. If you’re interested in something, pursue it. Find out more. Make sure. You can talk about this in your college applications later, or change your mind about your interests.

Maybe it’s not computer science, but really programming you want. Maybe it’s not medicine, but biomedical engineering. Maybe it’s not politics but public service.

Caveat:

For some degrees, even this is not enough. If you’re interested in a performing or studio arts program, especially for a BFA, you’re going to need portfolio material. Or, you can look for schools that don’t take intended major into account in admissions, or schools that don’t consider portfolios or auditions (though you may be expected to produce one in your first year to be eligible for the major).

Giving Tuesday: College Access

It’s Giving Tuesday, and I wanted to share some non-profits that help increase access to college for a wide variety of students. Please consider donating to one of them:

Support For Underrepresented Students:

HALI (High Achieving Low Income) Access Network:

The members of this network help low-income students throughout Africa prepare for, apply to and succeed in colleges and universities in the USA and worldwide. HALI works to increase scholarship opportunities for these students and to provide pathways to employment in their home countries upon graduation. Find a member organization to support directly via their directory. http://haliaccess.org/directory/

National College Access Network:

NCAN member organizations work to support underrepresented students, including students of color, low-income students, and those who are the first in their families to attend college, in their goals to attend and graduate from college. They provide mentorship, coaching, scholarship counseling, ongoing social and emotional support, as well as career guidance. Find a member organization to support directly via their directory. National College Access Network Members

Questbridge

Questbridge provides free college counseling to underrepresented students, as well as coordinates a “college matching” process that helps students find schools interested in helping them succeed. Questbridge universitiy partners offer full tuition scholarships and often additional financial, academic and social support to ensure matched students persist through graduation. https://www.questbridge.org/donate

Support for Foreign Service Students:

AAFSW

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) offers several scholarships for both students of academic merit and students with IEPs or other academic support programs. Contact them directly to donate to their scholarship funds. Read more at: https://www.aafsw.org/services/aafsw-awards/aafsw-youth-merit-scholarships/

AFSA

The American Foreign Service Association offers merit scholarships to children of FS employees and an art scholarship contest to all high schoolers interested in foreign affairs. Many of these scholarships are endowed through generous donations from members of the FS. Inquiries about donations can be sent to capps@afsa.org.

FSYF

While the Foreign Student Youth Foundation offers a merit-based scholarship and art and writing contests to members, the FSYF also helps college-bound FS youth with programs in the DC-area and online. FSYF hosts an annual college-planning workshop for teens, as well as a Facebook group and newsletter with information helpful to FS teens. Support their work with a donation at: https://www.fsyf.org/Support

FEEA

The Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund supports the dependents (both children and spouses) of US government employees by offering over 200 merit scholarships of between $1000 and $5000 each year. FEEA’s activities are funded entirely by donations from USG employees. Support via https://feea.org/support/ or sign up to participate in their Run/Walk Fundraiser in April.

I’d love to hear about other great organizations that support college access for all students. What are your favorites?