#about:school

[talktomarleyrose]

Is your mom excited for you to start school?

She is! Very much so. So much that she’s ringing me daily even though I don’t start for another couple of weeks. I’ve already planned my holidays around going back home to Lima or for her to come and visit me, and I’m even beginning to plan a trip to New York so I can catch up with some of the Glee Club because I feel like it’s been a million years since I’ve seen their lovely faces. This year is going to be a very exciting one for me!

[talktothequinnfabray]

What is your dream career?

Well, seeing as I’m a Drama/Theatre major, it is a pretty safe assumption that being an actress is the route that I want to go. 

[talktothequinnfabray]

I want to be an English major, but my parents want me to be a doctor. How can I convey to them that this is really what I want to do- I've tried talking to them about it, but it's not getting through to them.

I’m really sorry that planning for college can’t be as exciting for you as it should be. Parental expectations can be a lot to deal with, especially when they contradict what you want for yourself.

Although this first part of my advice may not be what you want to hear, it’s important too. Your parents love you. Probably more than anything else in the world. Parents want the best for their children, and are always praying that their kids will be able to navigate the world and face challenges with strength. They have lived longer than you, experienced more than you, and will always want better for you than they had for themselves. 

However, that being said..They probably just don’t understand your major choice. They may be thinking.. “English major? What job will my baby be able to get? will they have enough money? Will they be able to get by?” So, it’s not as though they are saying “I don’t want my child to follow their dreams, I’m going to make sure they never get to major in what they want”. 

Now that I have tried to explain their mindset a little bit, I will share the real advice here. I actually did this with my mom because, she was a little concerned about sending me to an Ivy League school to major in drama. I would do some research into what careers people have gotten after graduating with a degree in English. Then you can find the median income for those jobs. Once you have a median income you can narrow down schools that’s tuition match your income, that way you can avoid excessive student loan debt. If you do all of that and show your parents, they may be more open to listening to your goals and ambitions.

[talktothequinnfabray]

You are so smart and perfect and smart. I have so many college questions for you, i am sending them all to you now, please answer when you can!

I thank you for the compliments, I do. I appreciate them to no end. However, I want to make it perfectly clear to you that I am by no means an expert. You should really talk to your guidance counselor for the best information possible.

That being said.. I received your questions and I will answer them once a do a bit more research for you. I am going to try and answer to the absolute best of my ability.

[talktothequinnfabray]

Help! I want to go to a catholic college, I have a 3.3 gpa out of 4.0. I took a lot of AP classes, I want to be in the Northeast. i want to major in Political Science. Will you help me pick one? Pleaseee.

You’re very lucky that I am bored and don’t have a morning class this morning, young lady! :) I have done a little bit of research for you.

So it’s always important to have a “safety” and a “realistic” school choice. However, I usually find it beneficial to have a reach school as well because, often times you may have something besides grades that captures their eyes (i.e service learning, work experience, etc.) so I like to have a reach school. 

For you I have matched up some samples for you. 

Safety: Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. They are a small, catholic college, with a focus and mission in public service. Something that would fit in with your major of Political Science. Their average GPA is a 3.0 and they are test optional. You did not include your SAT scores in here but, you have wiggle room with this school. If you did very well - send them! If not, you have the GPA and AP classes to get in - so don’t send them!

Realistic School: Saint Anselm in Manchester New Hampshire. It’s similar in size to Saint Michael’s. Both of them are relatively small. The average GPA is a 3.0-3.3 so you are in the spectrum, making it a realistic rather than a safety. They are also SAT optional, so again you can decide whether or not you want to send your scores. As for being a political science major there, they have a political institute on campus where politicians come regularly and the first primary of every presidential election is held there.

Reach School: Wheaton College in Norton, MA. I believe the average GPA is about a 3.5 to get into the school, so that is slightly above your wheel house but, with a good interview you never know! 

Also, if you click on all the names of the schools it will bring you to their websites! Hope this helped you a little!

[talktomarleyrose]

Did you know anyone at McKinley before you started there?

I didn’t. It was really daunting walking into a school where I knew nobody, but gradually I made friends and it all worked out okay. Better than okay. This is the happiest I’ve ever been, ever.

[talktothequinnfabray]

Is Mama Mia the first production your in so far in Yale? Were you nervous and scared to audition?

Mama Mia is the production I’ve auditioned for, so far! To say I was incredibly nervous to audition would be an understatement. However, as rehearsals continue on, I’m becoming increasingly more comfortable! I can’t wait to audition for another production in the fall semester.