Dear eNotAlone: My sister Mary and I are in a desperate situation. She was recently accepted to a private college, and although I am unable to contribute financially to her tuition, my parents and I provided what help we could. Unfortunately, the college was recently hit with hard financial times, and has been forced to reduce academic programs and let go of many faculty members and other staff.
It is a very difficult situation for Mary - the school is still offering the scholarship that she was granted, but my parents and I are afraid that the college is no longer living up to the promises of excellence it made when she was accepted. We're worried that the program may not be enough for her to get a good job after she graduates.
We are facing a difficult decision – my sister deserves a great education, but is this college the right place to provide her with the knowledge and skills she needs? Are there other options that we haven't considered? How can my family ensure that Mary will have the best education possible and be able to land a good job after graduation?
* * *
It can be challenging to find the best possible educational option for your sister under such difficult circumstances. Fortunately, there are steps you and your family can take to ensure that your sister has the best chance at success, despite the current struggles of the college.
The first step is to thoroughly explore alternatives. Finding a college that will provide your sister with the same quality of education while being more financially feasible can be a difficult task, but it is not impossible. Many community colleges, public universities, and online schools offer affordable and quality programs that can still prepare your sister to enter the job market. Research these options and discuss them with your sister, so she can weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
Once you have thoroughly explored alternative programs, the next step is to determine if the college Mary was accepted to can still offer a quality education. Evaluate the credentials of the faculty and advisors and consider their experience in order to determine if the staff is qualified to teach the courses offered, or if they have the ability to mentor students and provide valuable guidance. research current and past students from the college to understand how well the college prepares its graduates for the job market and career paths. While this may be difficult as the college is undergoing hard financial times, it is an important step to ensure that the program is the best option for your sister.
If you decide that the college is the best option for your sister, focus on other ways that you can help her succeed. Encourage her to take advantage of any available resources to research professional opportunities and grow her network. Identify mentors and advisors who can provide her with guidance and support throughout her course of study. Provide emotional support and be positive as she navigates her educational journey. With the combination of Mary's hard work and your family's support, she will have the best opportunity to make the most of her college experience and be prepared to enter the job market post-graduation.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now