This commentary is by Offie C. Wortham, Ph.D., of Johnson, a retired college professor who last taught at Johnson State College and, prior to that, at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. He is a public speaker, a community psychologist, and is now writing grant applications and business plans.
Here’s a speech I would like to give at a middle or high school this September.
Did you know that at Dartmouth you can receive a full-ride scholarship for tuition, room and board if your family income is less than $100,000, and also at Stanford if the family is making less than $125,000?
MIT offers the same opportunity if the income is less than $75,000. No loans. Similar programs exist at Harvard and Yale for families under $65,000. Brown, Columbia and Cornell for incomes less than $60,000, and Duke for less than $53,000.
All colleges offer full scholarships to students from low-income families. And one does not have to have a 4.0 GPA for these awards! Meeting the normal entrance requirements at each college, social activities, student government, volunteer programs, and community involvement are important indicators for admissions that a student works to improve the quality of life for others. Taking STEM courses is also extremely helpful.
“What do you do in your spare time?” is a very important question that often helps an admission officer or committee decide if a candidate is an impressive candidate.
Ever hear the expression, “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”? Well, it’s true! Lifestyle is more important than anything else. And yes, “Birds of a feather flock together.”
To be accepted and respected by the more serious and successful students, you must be one yourself. The choice is made by each person themselves, if they are going to make some effort to acquire the skills and knowledge that will open up many pathways to a productive and meaningful standard of living in the future.
Going to an open-admissions community college is not free! Have you talked to the 70% who drop out with a student loan debt of $30,000 to $40,000?
Drugs and drinking might appear to be the way to make friends and have a fun time, but look at what happens to most of those who live this lifestyle. You sell yourself short by not performing up to your potential.
What are the rewards of working hard to get good grades? Besides feeling a sense of accomplishment, instead of failure, how about the recognition, pride and esteem from your real friends, family, teachers, employers, and many people in your community?
It is often difficult to see why you should work hard to do well academically in school. But look at the consequences if you don’t. You know you’re not stupid, so isn’t it time to prove you are smart and interested in more than just having a good time and missing opportunities to become financially successful and really happy?
Often, we must only look around at some of our relatives and neighbors to admit that you do not really want their reality to become your future. They had their chance, but they could not turn back the clock. You now still have a choice. Set some goals and go for it or continue to waste time.
Correction: The original headline on this commentary had a typographical error in Offie Wortham’s name.
