Brittany Jackson

(Brittany is a senior at Middle College High School. This is an installment in a series of her periodic columns about getting ready for college.)

My mind is spinning and I don’t know what to do next. I received my award notification letter in the mail from High Point University and they offered me $9,000 a year.

Well, so much for that dream because it costs $33,000 a year to attend. They could have at least met me half way. Now I have no idea where I am going to go to college in the Fall.

Christian Brothers University has offered me the most money, and if I decided to attend school there, I would not have to pay a dime. My parents keep telling me that I should just go to school to get an education and not be worrying about all the fun stuff. But let’s be real. I have been a cheerleader since I was able to walk and talk, and a dancer since my middle school years.  Unfortunately for me, Christian Brothers does not offer either.

I also applied and got accepted into UT-Martin, Ohio Wesleyan University, Agnes Scott College, Illinois College, and a couple of other places. The only schools on my immediate radar are Christian Brothers, UT-Martin and Agnes Scott. My parents would prefer I not attend UT-Martin, and Agnes Scott isn’t giving me enough financial aid to cover costs. Scratch those two and I’m back to Christian Brothers.

Here’s the thing:

I do not want to stay at home while I am in college. That would really affect having fun in college! I could move out, get an apartment, a car and everything so I could be independent, but I don’t know yet. Plus, I have been in Memphis all my life. I think I need a change; you know, exposure to other things!

And while I enjoy it, I’m attending classes now at Christian Brothers. This school year Middle College moved its operation to the campus of Fairview Middle School, and Memphis City Schools brokered an arrangement with CBU, which is across the street.

Anyway, graduation is a little over two months from now, and I really need to start making a decision. Colleges like to be notified of an acceptance or decline by May 1.

Decisions, decisions! Why do they have to be so hard? This one decision could change me for the rest of my life, and I am afraid of making the wrong decision.

I will keep you posted as it gets closer to the time that I actually have to make a choice. Let’s just hope I make the best one!

(Contact Brittany at iteen@tri-statedefender.com)