3 Choices Remained on May 1st

It has been quite a long time since I my last update; exactly two months—very disappointed to say so. During the month of April I was very busy completing my courses and visiting some of the colleges I was admitted to; hence I did not bear in mind the thought of consistently updating my blog. After completing my courses in early may, I was struck by senioritis and ever since I have been extremely lazy. Due to MY lack of drive, I pushed off this task for too long, so I am disappointed in myself. Lost time cannot be regained, so I will just begin informing everyone of my decsion as of May 1st.

As I have mentioned earlier, I visited the some colleges in mid-April. First, I went to Colgate and afterwards I visited Carleton. I left to each school with an objective mind in order to not favor schools before carefully exploring each institution. At Colgate I enjoyed the time I had spent with the people at Colgate, especially my host and my mentor’s younger sibling. I really enjoyed the faculty and facilities at Colgate, but for some reason I felt that it wasn’t the right place for me. On the other hand, I felt the exact opposite at Carleton. Though the faculty and facilitates at Carleton were similar to Colgate’s, I could truly visualize myself as a Carleton student, hence it was one of my primary institutions. In between my visits, I received word from Michigan that I had been admitted. I was very pleased to hear the good news, but this institution brought me much trouble even after the May 1st deadline. The primary issue I had was the slow processing of my fin. aid; nevertheless this institution was my top choice even right before the deadline. On April 29th, I had not been awarded my fin. aid package by Michigan yet and I was very nervous because I had to replay to all my schools by the deadline. To avoid lossing my opportunities at all my institutions, I deposited the enrollment payment to my top three intuitions. After discussing with my parents, mentors and close family friends I narrowed down my top three schools to OSU, Michigan, and Carleton. The following list describes how I came down to this decision.

1. University of Michigan: I had not received my fin. aid yet so I had to deposit and wait to see if my future was going to be at this institution.
   
2. OSU: Offered me the second best fin. aid, close to home, meets and exceeds all my needs academilcally, love the bukeye atmosphere.
   
3. Carleton: Offered me the third best fin. aid, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere at this institution.
   
4. University of Wisconsin: Offered me the fourth best fin. aid that was still under $5000 in loans, but I had missed the housing contract deadline which was March 12. I really want to live in a university dorm that would allow me to be near people who have similar aspirations as me; hence I could not live in private housing.
   
5. Colgate: Offered me the best fin. aid, but I simply could not see myself as student at this institution.
   
6. Case Western: At the time it offered me the worst fin. aid at $13,500 in loans.

I shall inform everyone of my final decision in the near future (not more than a few days).

Muhammad Abdi

Accepted To

• The Ohio State University (Main Campus)
• The University of Wisconsin (Madison)
• Case Western Reserve University
• Colgate University
• Carleton College
• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
  

Waiting For

• The University of Chicago (Waitlisted)

Differed From

• Yale University
• Duke University

9 distinctive paths: 5 are approachable (yet exceedingly perplexing), 2 have been extinguished, and the final 2 are indefinite

Looking back at the chaotic first half of my senior year, I am very buoyant of my current status. It appears as though I was on streak for nearly a month. I was subsequently admitted to five institutions; The Ohio State University, The University of Wisconsin, Case Western Reserve University, and the most recent: Colgate University and Carleton College. Nevertheless, I was dismayed by word from three of my primary intuitions. First, I was waitlisted by my dream school: the University of Chicago. This situation leaves me in a predicament that I will discuss in the near future. Next, I received word that I was deferred from both Yale & Duke University, earlier this week. Although this was very disappointing, I was not outright shocked because I knew that there were many qualified student competing for selection into a mere number of positions at both institutions. I truly wish to thank my mentors once again, for I wouldn’t have been accepted to many of my colleges without their assistance.

Currently, I am fascinated by my financial aid packages that came along with (or after) the five bulky admission envelopes.

From OSU, I was awarded the Morrill Excellence Scholarship, which covers in-state full tuition. With a sound Federal Pell Grant, Work Study and an OSU grant, most of my fees are covered; what remains is a $3,500 subsidized loan.

The University of Wisconsin, also gave me a very good package by wavering most of my tuition costs; now I my tuition is equivalent to that of Wisconsin resident. Nonetheless, I still have a $4,000 loan.

Case Western Reserve University awarded me the Provost scholarship, which is $20,000 yearly. Although the university is in the state of Ohio, it is private; thus, its tuition is parallel for all students that apply. Although another $20,000 is covered by other means, I still have to take $11,500 in loans; since the cost of attendance (COA) is over $52,000.

Colgate University gave me an outstanding financial aid package; the institutional grant was over $45,000 (nearly 85% of my COA). My family is expected to contribute $500 dollars to my education and I am informed to take $1,500 in loans. This intuition also offered me the opportunity to attend a summer institute program for free. The program will allow student to become familiar with the intuition, make acquaintance with the faculty and fellow students before school initiates, and take 2 full courses that are taught by actual professor at the University, in 5 weeks.

My most recent financial aid package from Carleton College has truly perplexed me. To begin with, the COA is similar to Case Western—over $52,000—and nearly all of my cost are covered by either federal or institutional grants. What puzzles me is the amount of loan I have to take because the package delivers the information in a complicated manner. I am sure that the institution expects me to take a loan because the amount I was awarded doesn’t equal my COA, even after adding my work study.

I still have one additional college which I am awaiting word from—the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)—so I will continue to wait (now I am fairly relieved) and weigh out my options as the deadline gets closer. Although I am informed to take loans by all my admitted institutions, I expect to acquire some outside scholarships and grants that could aid me in funding my college education. Currently, I am completing more scholarships and I am inquiring about how to take loans in Islam at mosques (Islamic place of worship). Earlier, I had stated that taking loans (that accrue interest) are not permitted in Islam—I still uphold this statement—but I wish to acquire more information from knowledgeable scholar’s because the Quran can be interpreted in many ways. To further clarify, this is not just my personal interpretation of the Quran; most Muslims know that Riba (Arabic for interest) is not permitted.

Muhammad Abdi

Accepted To

• The Ohio State University (Main Campus)
• The University of Wisconsin (Madison)
• Case Western Reserve University
• Colgate University
• Carleton College

Waiting For

• The University of Chicago (Waitlisted)
• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)

Differed From

• Yale University
• Duke University

Ongoing pressure in addition to my fearful expectations

I have been really busy this past week because my economic courses and my math midterm that is coming up soon. I have received much good news that I hope to share with everyone. But I will begin with the bad news. First, I got eliminated from the selection process for the Gates Millennium Scholarship. I was truly disappointed when I found out because this was a very important program to me. This program is very significant because the opportunity of receiving a free education up until medical school is very slim. I guess it just was meant to be; but there will be more chances in life, so I will continue to work hard. Second, I got put on the waiting list to one of my dream schools, the University of Chicago. Although this is not completely horrible, I do not like the chances I have of being admitted into the schools; but I will not allow this to brining me down.

Today I read a very motivating article about college rejections on the wall street journal website. I really enjoyed the quote from Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, “to allow other people's assessment of you to determine your own self-assessment is a very big mistake.” After reading this article, I came to realize the full extent of the opportunities I have received thus far and I am truly grateful. I will make sure to stay in high spirits because a few rejections will only motivate me to work harder in order to achieve my dream of being successful. I guess it’s time to share the good news. First, I received a Provost scholarship from Case Western Reserve University. It’s worth $20,000 and I could receive it every year if I could maintain some requirements—I absolutely know that I can maintain the requirements need. Second, I have just been awarded The Ohio State University Excellence Morrill Scholarship, so I am very joyful. The award pays for full tuition, so I am very relieved to be granted this award. Although I did not receive the highest award which pays for tuition, books, room & board; I will be grateful and thank the lord for what I have been awarded.

Two of my financial aid packages have recently arrived and I can’t wait for more to arrive. I am really satisfied with one and the other I am unsure how I feel about it. I will be sharing some info for the ones I have received in my next post. That might not be until next week because I got my midterm on Saturday—I have much to review. Furthermore, I have many papers to write so my next post will most likely be next week.

Muhammad Abdi

Accepted To

• The Ohio State University (Main Campus)
• The University of Wisconsin (Madison)
• Case Western Reserve University

Waiting For

• The University of Chicago (Waitlisted)
• Yale University
• Duke University
• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• Colgate University
• Carleton College

Differed From

Introduction: Dedication to achieve success and peace in life

Hello Everyone,

My name is Muhammad Abdi and I am currently a senior in high school—at Eastmoor Academy, in Columbus, Ohio. I am of East African descent, so I can speak four languages, including Somali and Swahili. I joined HighRise Academy in order to acquire assistance and guidance in the selection process of a college that suites me well. I come from a large agricultural family and I am a first generation college student. My parents always wanted a better future for their children and always told me that education and knowledge is the only avenue out of ignorance, poverty, and destitution. I believe education contributes to profound changes in human life; thus, I take my studies very seriously, for I know that my parents brought me here, to America, to benefit from the opportunities extended to me by this great country. I have experienced the lack of essential resources—such as food, water, shelter, and health care—in Africa, so I hope to pursue education in a field that would in the future enable me to help poor societies and provide me with adequate livelihood. As the eldest of nine children, I hope to be the best role model for my younger siblings by trail blazing a road to college for them to emulate.

Before the beginning of my senior year in High school, I was given the opportunity to participate in a post secondary program—Senior to Sophomore—at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Thus far, I have earned 16 college credits and I hope to graduate, from high school, with 32 college credits. In taking these courses, I have gained much valuable experience as a result of the challenges I have faced. I have learned to successfully transition from high school into college level education by becoming more diverse and adept at managing a complex schedule. I am truly thankful to Mr. Green—my high school guidance counselor—because if it were not for him, I would not have had the opportunity to participate in this wonderful program. I am also thankful to Mrs. Ging (the head of Columbus City School’s Senior to Sophomores Program) and my parents for their encouragement.

The HighRise Academy experience is truly amazing. If it were not for the mentors in this exceptional organization, I would not have had high-quality applications. I truly thank everyone in this program for all they have done for me and my fellow HighRise Academy students—especially my personal mentor, Dan Crane, and our group leader, Sebastian Restrepo. In addition, I must thank the sponsors of our program, for generously giving to this great cause. With the assistance of my mentors, high school & college educators, and parents I was able to apply to 9 colleges. These colleges are The Ohio State University, the University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Yale College, The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Duke University, Colgate University, Carleton College, and Case Western Reserve University. Currently I have been accepted to The Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin, and Case Western Reserve University; I will get word for the other institutions very soon. I am currently undecided on where I wish to attend, but the financial assistance I will receive will significantly affect my decision because my family’s current financial condition cannot contribute to my college education.

Due to my religion (Islam), I cannot take loans, thus I hope to be awarded scholarships, grants, and work study in order to fund my college education. The Quran (Holy text for Muslims from god “Allah”) abolishes all believers from undertaking and giving loans that accrue interest to anyone (Muslims, Christians, Jews, all people) because it is deceitful and immoral (2:275-280, 3:130, 4:161, 30:39). These citations are the verses of the Quran that explain the prohibition of riba (means interest in Arabic). If one is to take a loan, the lender may charge a fee for this service; however the amount cannot surpass the total of the money lent and the charge for borrowing the money. For example, if I were to borrow $2,000 with a fee of $150, then I must pay my lender exactly $2,150 as soon as possible or in the period of time that the lender and I agreed upon. Anyways, I have applied to several scholarships, including The Ohio State University Morrill Scholarship and the Gates Millennium Scholarship. I am currently applying to several local scholarships that could help me achieve my goal of acquiring a rigorous education.

Up through the end of my first year in college (around summer 2011), I hope to share my college experience with all people who wish to gain information about the college application process, college life, or anything else that would contribute to ones chance of obtaining success and happiness. I will try to complete a blog per week to the best of my abilities throughout this time.

Muhammad Abdi

Accepted To

• The Ohio State University (Main Campus)
• The University of Wisconsin (Madison)
• Case Western Reserve University

Waiting For

• The University of Chicago
• Yale University
• Duke University
• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• Colgate University
• Carleton College
  

Differed From