Question

College tuition? Advice? Info is below.

Answer 1

I'm turning 16 in February & I thought this summer would be the time to get a job. I'm planning on working at a dog boarding facility & after taxes, as a minor, I'm expecting around $120 a week, maybe less. Anyways, for college, I'm planning on going to The Los Angeles Film School and I'm moving from Florida, but obviously I have to be accepted, but tuition is around $50,000. It's really high, and I don't know, unless I get a scholarship, how I'm going to do that. Once I get my job, I will probably be expected to pay for my cell phone bill, and car insurance. I just don't really see how it's possible to pay it. You will probably all say that my parents will help, my they're not too supportive with me moving to California. Anyways, how should I go about saving up?

Is taking out loans really that big of a deal, because honestly, I don't mind doing that. It would take a while to pay off, of course, but if it means me being successful, I'll do it. :D

Answer 2

I would not take out college loans for all the tea in china.

These loans are selling your soul for the fifteen years after you graduate to pursue a career that perhaps, actually, you find you don't like so much. Implicit in them is that you will actually find a job in your field immediately after graduating - which, despite your college admissions officer's promises that "This degree confer upon you the keys to the kingdom and $100k per year starting pay six months after you graduate, blah blah blah" - which is far from the case. You do not want to trap yourself four years down the road in $200k of debt, a job you hate and a tied down lifestyle that goes with paying it off.

As you are in an artistic field, you'll be judged far more by your portfolio and work than by any diploma on your wall. So that $200k diploma is pretty much useless anyway.

You'd be better served to forget all about school and look for internships and apprenticeships in film instead - which will give you the same practical skills as a diploma, with the added benefit of a body of work you can show for your efforts as well as professional connections.

Answer 3

Hi,

Like @blues mentioned, never take out college loans. They will put you in dept for many years. You mentioned that you lived in Florida, which means you're from the United States. The amount of jobs secured within six months after graduation in the United States has drastically lowered over recent years.

I don't suggest putting in an application for a boarding facility. You have no experience because you have no job; you have no job because you have no experience. Get it? You have neither the educational requirements nor the experience, and even if you meet the educational standards, you still have no experience. Your odds of getting employed are actually significantly lower than someone coming in with experience.

I suggest you find someplace and submit an internship. Experience is vital in the working world. Even if you're not getting paid, it'll be worth it. Also, I strongly recommend working a part-time job. Put in an application for an Entrance Level position (places that look for teenagers), such as Whataburger, Burger King, McDonald's, Winn Dixie, etc, etc, etc. Push carts. Become a bag girl. Work fastfood.

Right now you're in a very stable position. You have no bills to pay or rent due, nothing. You can literally pocket all the money you receive. The average pay for a part-time worker is 400 every two weeks; that's 800 a month. You can 16,000 in two months if you don't spend a dime. Your parents will understand and support your decision. Consider opening a savings account under your mother or father.

Within a year you can have 9,600 dollars. Various trust-funds will help you get through college. If your'e 16, I have good news, too. There is a course on FLVS called "Web Foundations and Design." If you take this course for your remaining high school years, you will qualify for a scholarship for any college in the state of Florida. It'll pay 80% of your college funds.

Contact Jeremy Lowery ((850) 469-5443)), and ask about opportunities for a scholarship with this course. Tell him Stephen Kent recommended you. He's an instructor of mine going on 4 years, and a friend of the family. He'll help you out.

The great thing about FLVS Web Design, is all you have to do is two assignments a week, and it's all online. You'll also get additional credits for taking the course. You will want to talk to Jeremy Lowery about additional courses that offer scholarships through FLVS.

Contact Information:
Email: jlowery2@escambia.k12.fl.us
Office Phone: (850) 469-5443
Cell Phone: (850) 206-7000
Fax: (850) 469-5611
Skype: jeremy.lowery8

Webpage: https://eva-ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/Lowery


I hope this was helpful, and I wish the best for your pursuit of happiness.


- Compassionate

Answer 4

Thanks for the help @Compassionate! I am actually a full time FLVS student at the moment, but was planning on going back to school for 11th and 12th grade, so I'll look into it! I don't quite understand what you mean about not having experience with a job. No one has job experience with their first job... But anyways... Thanks again!

Answer 5

Employers look for someone with experience over someone who has education.

You don't have a job because you have no experience, you have no experience because you can't find a job. Get it?

Anyways, I hope this was insightful.

- Adieu.

Answer 6

Also look into internships and scholarship web sites.

Answer 7

education = investment
Everyone seems to have a strong opinion on how to navigate the realities of being a student post-secondary schooling. There are many guides and information out there, and part of being an adult is to face the responsibility of making the decision for yourself. While the meandering bureaucracy may prove inefficient and daunting, just realize that not many governments in this world give student aids and grants and this is something that any citizen of this country should smear upon or take for granted. The truth is that no prescription that works for one person proved to be entirely workable for another. So whenever someone tells you not to take a loan, I suggest to approach it with skepticism as to why the benefits of taking a loan are not provided (and yes the benefits exist). The bottom line is that, not everyone can receive scholarship or receive grants. My experience may be a good story to sell and tell you all about what I know, but there are professional people out there that can do a better job at giving you advice more than I could or anyone that has responded to this post can.

For now, take what seems to be an insurmountable hurdle into manageable pieces of problems you can solve, like focusing on your current education and get the best grades, and exploring different discipline of studies. Sooner or later, you will find windows of opportunities opening up for you by just doing this. I am sure that @Preetha would be more than happy to provide you with professional advice.