Expert: Keith Berman - 6/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: I'm 13 at the time and I make straight A's,only for B's this year,I'm getting ready to go to high school and I am african american,Indian runs in my family but I am not Indian.But I want to go to medical school and I am low income.My mom doesn't work,not because she can't but she just chooses not to.My dad is old even though he has a lot of money,a lot,I just don't want to depend on him.I signed up for this program that helps pay for medical school but I don't want to depend on it fully.So how do I pay for college or medical school?Does this mean that I can't go to college or something?
By the way,I want to be a psychiatrist.

ANSWER: Dear Corrina,

You CAN go to college.  In fact, many top colleges are bending over backwards trying to find the Corrinas of the world, often referred to as 'low-income, high-talent' students, or something similar.  There are massive recruiting events such as the Low Income Initiative at Harvard aimed directly at finding you!  Colleges (although not Ivy League schools like Harvard, which give no merit aid) usually have a great deal of scholarship money for students whom they want to recruit for their academic ability, and you sound like you may very well be one of them.

Just as a note before I write more about financial aid -- now that you are 13, the difference (in terms of potential scholarship money) between A and B grades is magnified.  Strive to continue to get all A's if you have it in you (it sounds like you do).  A lot of students believe that A's with a few B's is the same as straight A's, but in reality, there are far, far fewer straight-A students, and they get first pick of scholarships typically.  It is important for you to find support in your school in continuing to excel.

Your father's income will count towards your financial picture, so you should be frank with your family about your hopes and aspirations.  I would also seriously suggest not worrying about being a temporary financial burden on your family -- it sounds like you have high aspirations, and it is likely your family will want to invest in them.

There are many, many ways to apply for financial aid when the time comes, and you should feel like, if you use the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, you will be presented with options in that regard.  There are always loans you can take out as well if you feel you want to acquire some of the burden of tuition yourself -- again, I suggest turning to your family first.

Certain services, such as simply-college.com, charge a very nominal fee ($30) to give you a workplan to step through the next few years' process of need-based financial aid.  I suggest getting a resource like that.

Corrina, I hope this is a good start.  In short, you will have plenty of options if you continue to excel academically, and you can find scholarship offers through free resources like applyweb.com, or reach out to a scholarship finding service, when the time comes.

Good luck, Corrina.  You are well on your way!

Sincerely,
Keith Berman, CEP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well when I was in 7th grade,I was like a "C" student and I made one "D".Will that effect me?
But in 8th grade,I was an "A" student except for the 4 B's that I got.
In sixth grade,I was a "B" student and all y years before that of course,I was a straight "A" student.

So will the bad grades that I got in the previous year effect me?

ANSWER: Dear Corrina,

As long as those grades before 9th grade didn't affect what classes you were allowed to take, they do not matter to college admissions offices, which only review your record for grades 9-12.

If you feel you are doing well now and are ready for more challenge, you should consider enrolling in honors courses at this point.  Not only grades, but the courses you receive them in, are largely considered the top two factors in college admissions.  Sometimes, B's and C's in middle school mean the high school will not allow you to enroll in honors classes right away.

So, in short, the answer is 'no,' your grades from 6th - 8th do not affect you in terms of the college admissions process.

Sincerely,
Keith Berman, CEP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well I'm entering the ninth grade this year.The four B's that I had we're in Health,Careers,Gifted,and Gifted classes.Yes I was also in gifted.But my english and math teachers put me in honors classes for high school.But isn't honors classes harder?

Answer
Dear Corrina,

Honors sounds like it is the next step in a sequence that might include 'gifted' courses in middle school.  Challenging yourself in high school is important.  While the material may be harder, you are older and wiser, so it probably is a good fit for you.

Sincerely,
Keith Berman, CEP