It’s official, one more month until the dreaded May IB exams. I have 8 exams in the first week, 3 in the second, and 5 in the last week. Then I’m hopping on a flight to China =D

So if I die from the internet, you know why.

Also, I decided that I will be attending Berkeley next year (go bears!). I saved this as a draft yesterday, and it’s surprising how quickly opinions can change. Right now, I’ve hit some kind of rut in regards to my future and in particular, my post-secondary education. I really don’t know what to do. Tuition and living expenses at UC Berkeley costs over US$40 000. Let me break it down for you.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

  • Housing for a year: $10 999 (Cheapest possible as I will be living in a triple, which basically is three people squeezed into a room meant for two to save money, a basic meal point plan is included)
  • Registration and fees: $8 384
  • Non-resident tuition: $19 620 (this one’s a killer)
  • Books and supplies: $1 000 (they gave an estimate of $1200, but if I buy all second-hand, I might cut it down a bit)
  • Personal expenses: $800 (again, this is almost half of their estimate, I think I can manage if I keep clothes buying and eating out to a minimum)
  • Transportation, Medical, Miscellaneous: $700 (I’m trying to see if my current insurance covers the U.S.)

——————–
TOTAL: US $41 503 per school year

STUDENT RESOURCES

  • Maximum parental contribution: US$10 000/year (this means emptying out their retirement savings, and putting the $200 000 they owe on the apartment and the car on hold)
  • Estimated summer earnings: $2 800 (working at average $10/h full time for two months, minus tax)
  • Estimated school year earnings: $2 000 (working at average $12/h 4h/week for seven months)
  • High school scholarship: $1 000
  • Pending Bank of Montreal Student Loan: $10 000 (this is their max, I doubt I’ll get all of it)
  • Pending BC Government Student Aid: $5 000 (this is also their max, haven’t seen any one get it yet)
  • Relatives’ contributions: 3500 Chinese Yuan –> $500

——————–
TOTAL: US $31 300 for the first year only

STILL NEED: $10 203*

*Assuming the impossibility of no extra expenses. In my second year, the university will provide some financial aid but the bank interests will go up, aack. My parents’ contributions will be cut by half and I’ll probably work two jobs in the summer.

To fill that void, I have been applying to every single scholarship I can get my hand-on (hate the fact that most of them either say “American citizens only” or “will be attending Canadian institution”). I’ve also started writing letters to local businesses and other banks/boards/anything-with-a-mailing-address in the hope of securing some - any - donations. Berkeley has been sort of a dream school and it’d be devastating if I miss this opportunity due to financial struggles. In addition, I’m very conflicted between my aspirations and placing such a heavy burden on my parents.

My friend (who’s going to USC and came within a hair of winning their scholarship, but didn’t) and I came up with the following ideas to get some funds:

  1. LEGALIZED CHILD PORN - any takers? Yes yes? Now hiring actors. Hot people only =D
  2. A Facebook application that takes the world by storm, hoo-hah!
  3. Bank robbery - acceptance offer could be rescinded on criminal record, never mind
  4. Selling CDs of the film my friend made in IB Film at $5 each - he sold 4 copies already, only 7996 more to go!

Some of them still need a little bit of fine-tuning XD. In the mean time, I have two questions/requests to ask of you dear readers.

QOTW: can you think of more ways to pay for costly university tuitions?

And see that little orange box in the sidebar that says “Donate”? Any amount, no matter how small and how big, will be greatly appreciated. The donor’s name and any other info you like posted will be permanently posted on my site. A heart-felt thank you from me to you!

UPDATE

  • Thank you Momo for the first donation ever! Everyone go give her some love =D
  • I now have a progress bar in the sidebar, documenting my progress.  Amounts added include online earnings (not part-time jobs or anything mentioned in resources), additional scholarships, and donations.

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