MAP IT OUT by Porsche

MAP IT OUT by Porsche - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

As a child, I wanted to have a career in almost everything. As I grew older, I knew I wanted to go to college and graduate with a degree I would be proud of. I was so desperate for a college education I made the mistake of not doing my due diligence of what it would take to obtain a degree. For those that are determined to go to college like I was, the one thing I would advise incoming high school freshman is to map out their education financially. There is nothing worse than starting something and not being able to finish because of lack of preparation.

These days, most people cannot afford to attend college with or without their family's help. Most people are not well-to-do or had a college fund provided for them. The only way I was able to attend was through financial aid, and even then looking back on it now I wish I did not go that route. I should have educated myself better. If I could do it all over again, I would have started by attending a local community college in my state that had the prerequisites I needed to transfer to my university of choice. Attending a community college alone the first two or three years of my education would have saved me thousands of dollars. In addition to attending a community college, I would have never taken out any loans by way of the federal financial aid system. I should have just accepted the grants. Another area I did not take advantage of is scholarships. I also think it would have been wise to talk with a financial adviser as well. I was too dependent upon the system and it caused me to become complacent until now. I am no longer eligible for federal financial aid and still have about a year and a half of school left.

Without a vision, people perish. Without a map or guide, you get lost. I want those incoming high school freshman to make wiser and more informed choices about their education without coming up short financially and creating unnecessary debt and stress. College is a challenge enough, but paying for it should not have to be.