More Than a Test Score

When you’re 17, chances are you’re more worried about what you’re doing on Friday night or, hopefully, what college you’ll be going to in the future. Yet Steven Ortiz, a 17 year old from California, worries about what his next trade will be.

Steven traded his way up to a Porsche in just two years by bartering on Craigslist. Starting with an old cell phone to an iPod, a MacBook Pro, a series of dirt bikes, cars and trucks, it took a lot of patience and skill to eventually be the owner of a Porsche. It makes you wonder what you’ve done in the past two years and what you could have been doing instead.

We’re not recommending you start gathering up old cell phones to see what you can end up with in two years, but if Steven sells his Porsche, who knows, maybe he could pay for college?

With majors in graphic design, animation, game art, interior design, and art education — you’d expect Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design to be gushing with talented young artists.   That is exactly what you’ll find at RMCAD, located in Denver, CO.

Curious to see some of their work? Visit their website for sample portfolios of recent graduates, including class of 2010′s Ryan Secora, who plans on illustrating literature.  Wonder what you’ll do when you’re not in class?  Nicole Arocha, a senior studying 3D animation and graphic design, describes her favorite hangouts and off-campus activities.

How about advice for prospective students?  Corey Pile, graphic design and interactive media major, says “there are several ways to go about any challenge in your life.  Every possibility has the potential for greatness or failure.  It’s up to you to decide what you’re going to get out of your classes.  It’s up to you to take control of your life and learn what you want to learn.   There are more than enough great opportunities on this campus, but you have to take it upon yourself to make it happen.  And everyone on campus is willing to help you to get there, so why not be a part of greatness?”

We encourage you to visit RMCAD’s profile page to get a better feel for the college.

Congratulations to the Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship winner, Carla Marquez! Well done, Carla, you really deserve this! Currently an undergrad at UNLV studying French, Carla is in her second year in college and loving it.

Here is her winning essay:

I would trade places with my great-grandfather, and see the world through the eyes of someone who has lived through the most tragic events of history. A day to feel and understand the love which he gives us all. To be the owner of a heart that has not been tainted by a century of war and conflict.

Here are the runner ups:

Ann Marie Gilbert: If I could change places with another person for a whole day I would change places with someone in a third world country.  There is no motivation like personal motivation to make a change in the world.  After living in a third world country for a day it would motivate even more than I am currently.

Kayla Thompson: I wouldn’t want to trade places with anyone in the world, in spite of that, I would like someone in the world to trade places with me. Just for once I want someone to look at life through my eyes. Happiness is not achieved by possessing money- if that was the case, where would I be?

Crystal Valdez: Even if I was offered to trade places with anyone in this whole world, I would simply smile and say “No thank you.” I’m proud of who I am and all the joys and downfalls it has taken to become the person I am today. I wouldn’t risk a priceless day of my life to be anyone else, each day lived is gift.

Shelbi Paulus: If I were to change places with someone, it would be with someone who lives in a foreign country.  I’m curious about other’s cultures and how they live their lives.  I have always wanted to see the world but it would be much more fulfilling to be able to experience someone else’s world instead.

Erin Urbahns: I would not trade places with anyone becase I love my life the way it is even though I am not perfect. I would push myself to become a better person if I like a characteristic about someone else. God has put me here and every event in my life is a part of his will.

Kendall Moore: If I could change places with anyone else in the world for one day, I would not. I am who I am, and would not trade it for anyone or anything. I am extremely happy with my life right now, and where it is going.

Jessica Heady: There is over a billion people here on this planet and each one of them have a story to tell. If I could change places with another person for a day, I would really like to trade places with my mom. She is a wonderful role model and i would love to step into her shoes.

Monica Sanders: I know I’m supposed to change places with someone but there is no one I want to be but myself. I have a beautiful daughter and no, my life is not exactly how I want it, but I’m working at it. I’ve thought this over many times, and there is no one but me who can make my life the way I want it.

Submit your essay this week and you could be next week’s winner and be one step closer to paying for your college education!

beRecruited.com is a high school athlete’s dream. A one-stop site where you can connect with college coaches who are looking for their next star player; beRecruited will give students the opportunity to prepare for the sports recruiting process and come out of it without any regrets. With 18 sports represented, college coaches can search student profiles and learn more about student athletes through images, videos and stats and determine if they’re a good fit for their program. Kinda like a Zinch for athletic recruiting.

Need a little more help to ensure you’re ready for college recruitment? beRecruited even has a Resource Center where you can check out ways to choose the right program, learn more about grade requirements and even get training tips depending on which sport you play. For example, check out this training video with a workout idea for Volleyball players:

The college admissions process is a hassle, and students everywhere know this. Sometimes they get help from those who know the process best, sometimes they figure things out themselves and other times they sing about it. Maureen Silva is a zinch student and recent high school graduate who chose to do all three.

Hear her take on college admissions and financial aid through song below. We love the creativity put into this song!