Hey All - I plan on negotiating for a scholarship for an MBA Program that I was recently admitted into. Two questions.
1) Can the MBA School reject me for asking for a scholarship (I did not get a scholarship originally)?
2) If I get a Scholarship, and fall below the GPA required to maintain the scholarship, can they remove me from the school/program?
Thanks.

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Background: I'm a single Mom with an almost 9 year old son. He's currently finishing up second grade in our local public school and I'm torn between staying in public school for third grade, which is a different building with only 3rd and 4th grade in it, or going back to his private school which he attended for kindergarten and first grade. My son has an IEP due to his Autism, but is considered high functioning in comparison to others.
My son did an assessment through is previous private school which is a school designed for special needs children on the spectrum, and was officially accepted today. The Pros of this school is that he's already been there previously and knows the layout and what's expected. The classroom he would be in would have the same children as before, with the exception of maybe 2-ish kids that had left the school the same time we did. The classroom is a max of 16 children on the spectrum/ learning challenges, but does have two intervention specialists. The cons would be that the scholarship doesn't cover the full amount and I would be required to pay $2,200 for the school year, which as a single Mom in nursing school is a lot for me to be able to do each month, if they even accept payment plans. His Dad wouldn't be helping foot the cost (he already told me no). The school also requires uniforms which is both a pro and a con. I found that uniforms seem to be easier to deal with than everyday clothing, but the shirts alone are like $30 each since it has to come from a particular store and needs to be engraved with the school's name. There's no busing available so I would be required to drive him to school which is about 15 minutes away. The district would reimburse me $500 at the end of the school year since they don't offer transportation to the school since it's out of district.
As far as the public school goes, I live in a top 10 school district in my area. The Pros is that he would be going to a different building that's actually closer to home (less than 8 minutes away). The classroom size is larger than the private school with about 24 kids a class, but luckily he would have a second teacher in the class that's an intervention specialist. He would still get his speech therapy, be pulled into smaller groups during some activities, have the opportunity to go for a walk in the hallway if he needed a moment, etc. Pros here is that he would be in a mainstream classroom, which he's done well with, but I'll be honest, these public school kids have been mean this year. They've told my son that he isn't stylish (whatever that means to a bunch of 8 year olds), that he's weird, and has had some classroom disputes with two boys that he used to be friends with at the beginning of the school year which he isn't anymore. Along with that, one of the girls in his classroom has been an issue all year which i had brought up numerous times so I don't think they'll be in the same class next year (she literally hit him in the face with her lunch box).
The school recommended him stay in the district since his biggest issue is socialization and he would have a better opportunity to learn to better interact with people of all backgrounds instead of just children on the spectrum, which i agree, but I'm also aware that with the scholarship, the cost comes out of the district's budget so I could understand them trying to sway me one way so they don't lose the $40k.
The private school is also not in session 34 days out of the school year which is a bit more than the public school at 26. I'm only somewhat concerned by this because I'm his main caregiver and would struggle to find childcare on the days the private school isn't in session since they don't have any programs. They do have aftercare which is $10 an hour in the gym. The public school has a YMCA program, but we wouldn't be doing it again next year since we didn't have a great experience. The intermediate school has after school clubs, but another childcare center would be an option as long as i sign up early. The $10 hr charge is more expensive than the daycare center would be.

Choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Rutgers North Brunswick for pharmD as a high school senior (come out with pharmacy doctorate in 6 years). Please help me decide. Commitment deadline is VERY soon.
UNC: #1 for pharmacy, 60k estimate/yr (more accurate pricing would be $45-50k with budgeting, parents would only pay up to 35k), 6 year pharmD Early Assurance Program, Carolina Global Launch (semester study abroad with $1,000 scholarship). UNC has much more flexible AP credit waivers (if I remember correctly, there may be a 75 credit hour cap?). Non-North Carolina resident & out of state. Heard that there is little mental health advising for students. Not as big of an east asian enrollment. Heard that premed is cut throat; if academics are harder, may not have as much time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Would need to do work-study.
RU: #20 for pharmacy, 25k estimate/yr (parents would pay for all room/board/full cost of attendance), 6 year pharmD program, Rutgers Honors College, No study abroad allowed for pharmacy (after discussing with dean, only possibility is Douglass Global Village for a week during spring break). Rutgers only allows 8 AP credits waived (essentially an AP bio lecture/lab). NJ resident & in state (close family, although not extremely important). Felt very overwhelmed at Rutgers. Larger east asian enrollment. Also heard that pharmD is difficult, but would not need to do work study and could have more time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Am also currently in the process of interviewing for local pharm tech positions.
I am interested in going into industry or potentially clinical but definitely not retail pharmacy. Would love to get a fellowship, do research, or get an externship at a pharmaceutical company. May be interested in med afterwards but not very likely and set on chemistry/drug development/pharm for undergrad/first degree. Rutgers is also in a great place for pharmaceutical companies and I know Rutgers promotes it's Johnson & Johnson's affiliated opportunities a lot. However, UNC has the research triangle too. Finances and student debt is my main inhibiting factor; I would need to take out approx 20-25k/yr in private student loans if I attend UNC. It has more prestige, better placement into industry (according to my brief research, I could be wrong), is a research heavy school, I love the school culture, people are also generally much nicer in UNC. Personally hate how spread out the RU campus is but not a huge factor in my decision. If money was not an issue, I would choose UNC.
Can I get some input from current/former students that have experience at either school or experience with student debt? Is it worth it?

Choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Rutgers North Brunswick for pharmD as a high school senior. Please help me decide. Commitment deadline is VERY soon.
UNC: #1 for pharmacy, 60k estimate/yr (more accurate pricing would be $45-50k with budgeting, parents would only pay up to 35k), 6 year pharmD Early Assurance Program, Carolina Global Launch (semester study abroad with $1,000 scholarship). UNC has much more flexible AP credit waivers (if I remember correctly, there may be a 75 credit hour cap?). Non-North Carolina resident & out of state. Heard that there is little mental health advising for students. Not as big of an east asian enrollment. Heard that premed is cut throat; if academics are harder, may not have as much time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Would need to do work-study.
RU: #20 for pharmacy, 25k estimate/yr (parents would pay for all room/board/full cost of attendance), 6 year pharmD program, Rutgers Honors College, No study abroad allowed for pharmacy (after discussing with dean, only possibility is Douglass Global Village for a week during spring break). Rutgers only allows 8 AP credits waived (essentially an AP bio lecture/lab). NJ resident & in state (close family, although not extremely important). Felt very overwhelmed at Rutgers. Larger east asian enrollment. Also heard that pharmD is difficult, but would not need to do work study and could have more time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Am also currently in the process of interviewing for local pharm tech positions.
I am interested in going into industry or potentially clinical but definitely not retail pharmacy. Would love to get a fellowship, do research, or get an externship at a pharmaceutical company. May be interested in med afterwards but not very likely and set on chemistry/drug development/pharm for undergrad/first degree. Rutgers is also in a great place for pharmaceutical companies and I know Rutgers promotes it's Johnson & Johnson's affiliated opportunities a lot. However, UNC has the research triangle too. Finances and student debt is my main inhibiting factor; I would need to take out approx 20-25k/yr in private student loans if I attend UNC. It has more prestige, better placement into industry (according to my brief research, I could be wrong), is a research heavy school, I love the school culture, people are also generally much nicer in UNC. Personally hate how spread out the RU campus is but not a huge factor in my decision. If money was not an issue, I would choose UNC.
Can I get some input from current/former students that have experience at either school or experience with student debt? Is it worth it?

Choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Rutgers North Brunswick for pharmD as a high school senior. Please help me decide. Commitment deadline is VERY soon.
UNC: #1 for pharmacy, 60k estimate/yr (more accurate pricing would be $45-50k with budgeting, parents would only pay up to 35k), 6 year pharmD Early Assurance Program, Carolina Global Launch (semester study abroad with $1,000 scholarship). UNC has much more flexible AP credit waivers (if I remember correctly, there may be a 75 credit hour cap?). Non-North Carolina resident & out of state. Heard that there is little mental health advising for students. Not as big of an east asian enrollment. Heard that premed is cut throat; if academics are harder, may not have as much time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Would need to do work-study.
RU: #20 for pharmacy, 25k estimate/yr (parents would pay for all room/board/full cost of attendance), 6 year pharmD program, Rutgers Honors College, No study abroad allowed for pharmacy (after discussing with dean, only possibility is Douglass Global Village for a week during spring break). Rutgers only allows 8 AP credits waived (essentially an AP bio lecture/lab). NJ resident & in state (close family, although not extremely important). Felt very overwhelmed at Rutgers. Larger east asian enrollment. Also heard that pharmD is difficult, but would not need to do work study and could have more time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Am also currently in the process of interviewing for local pharm tech positions.
I am interested in going into industry or potentially clinical but definitely not retail pharmacy. Would love to get a fellowship, do research, or get an externship at a pharmaceutical company. May be interested in med afterwards but not very likely and set on chemistry/drug development/pharm for undergrad/first degree. Rutgers is also in a great place for pharmaceutical companies and I know Rutgers promotes it's Johnson & Johnson's affiliated opportunities a lot. However, UNC has the research triangle too. Finances and student debt is my main inhibiting factor; I would need to take out approx 20-25k/yr in private student loans if I attend UNC. It has more prestige, better placement into industry (according to my brief research, I could be wrong), is a research heavy school, I love the school culture, people are also generally much nicer in UNC. Personally hate how spread out the RU campus is but not a huge factor in my decision. If money was not an issue, I would choose UNC.
Can I get some input from current/former students that have experience at either school or experience with student debt? Is it worth it?

Choosing between UNC Chapel Hill and Rutgers North Brunswick for pharmD as a high school senior. Please help me decide. Commitment deadline is VERY soon.
UNC: #1 for pharmacy, 60k estimate/yr (more accurate pricing would be $45-50k with budgeting, parents would only pay up to 35k), 6 year pharmD Early Assurance Program, Carolina Global Launch (semester study abroad with $1,000 scholarship). UNC has much more flexible AP credit waivers (if I remember correctly, there may be a 75 credit hour cap?). Non-North Carolina resident & out of state. Heard that there is little mental health advising for students. Not as big of an east asian enrollment. Heard that premed is cut throat; if academics are harder, may not have as much time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Would need to do work-study.
RU: #20 for pharmacy, 25k estimate/yr (parents would pay for all room/board/full cost of attendance), 6 year pharmD program, Rutgers Honors College, No study abroad allowed for pharmacy (after discussing with dean, only possibility is Douglass Global Village for a week during spring break). Rutgers only allows 8 AP credits waived (essentially an AP bio lecture/lab). NJ resident & in state (close family, although not extremely important). Felt very overwhelmed at Rutgers. Larger east asian enrollment. Also heard that pharmD is difficult, but would not need to do work study and could have more time for extracurriculars/clubs/research/work. Am also currently in the process of interviewing for local pharm tech positions.
I am interested in going into industry or potentially clinical but definitely not retail pharmacy. Would love to get a fellowship, do research, or get an externship at a pharmaceutical company. May be interested in med afterwards but not very likely and set on chemistry/drug development/pharm for undergrad/first degree. Rutgers is also in a great place for pharmaceutical companies and I know Rutgers promotes it's Johnson & Johnson's affiliated opportunities a lot. However, UNC has the research triangle too. Finances and student debt is my main inhibiting factor; I would need to take out approx 20-25k/yr in private student loans if I attend UNC. It has more prestige, better placement into industry (according to my brief research, I could be wrong), is a research heavy school, I love the school culture, people are also generally much nicer in UNC. Personally hate how spread out the RU campus is but not a huge factor in my decision. If money was not an issue, I would choose UNC.
Can I get some input from current/former students that have experience at either school or experience with student debt?

As of April of this year, I have completed my second year of studies in my major, and have gotten my grades back for the Winter semester. All I can say is, I'm utterly disappointed.
By far, my GPA is a 3.3/4.0. A lot of people would say that this is a decent average, but I disagree. My GPA coming out of first year was the same, so my grades haven't even improved, despite having another year to achieve that.
I came into second year with the intention of getting straight A's in all of my courses. As someone who is not in STEM (I'm in a social science major), this seemed pretty doable to me. But it didn't end up turning out the way I wanted it to. First off, I didn't get the best professors this year (I didn't give enough care towards the quality or reputation of the prof, just chose classes that would give a comfortable schedule), so I had a more difficult slate to begin with. Despite that, I chose to go along with it and make the best of it that I could. I tried to see it in a positive light, as in "challenging profs would allow me to learn more and grow as a person".
Right from the get go I implemented new study techniques that I hoped would help me excel in my classes (making question sheets/flashcards, taking thorough notes from the textbook). Turns out, it only helped somewhat. In some classes, I ended getting straight A's throughout. However, I had a bunch of other classes in which I only got B's (and even one C) as a final grade. Some of the classes were genuinely difficult (thanks to tough graders), while some I feel like I didn't put in the proper effort despite going in with the goal of doing so.
This is what truly hurts me. Not the part where I had hard profs, but the fact that a lot of this was within my control and that I still fumbled the bag for quite a bit. At the very least I can say that I put in more effort than last year, but in brutal honestly, I still fucked around for a bit. I have ADHD, and I STILL haven't fully gotten it under control. I had a damn year to do it and I still failed to tame it. It was as if I knew what to do (I watched as many "How to get 4.0 GPA type videos on YouTube), but my brain (still MY fault) didn't act on it properly. I would study hard for concepts that I could understand, but would still give up when things got hard. This manifested itself in the form of missed deadlines (for tasks I simply couldn't get), doing things last minute, and on multiple choice tests, doing poorly on the questions that I refused to study because I felt it "wasn't relevant" or because I got too lazy to go the extra mile. I made schedules, but didn't stick to them completely because I allowed myself to get distracted too easily with other stuff that didn't matter as much.
I valued studying and academics, but a part of me still valued having fun and a social life more. On the positive side, this drove me to get involved in more deeply in extracurriculars, which led me to build a huge group of supportive friends and the expansion of my network, which ultimately led me to obtain two pretty dope executive positions at some large student clubs and win second place in a case competition. This helped a lot in gaining experience on my resume, which allowed me to land the internship I'm doing this summer. On the other hand, I began to prioritize hanging out with friends and relaxing, which led to a lot of wasted time that I could have used to sharpen my knowledge of the subject matter I was supposed to learn in class. I partied more, which led to more hangovers and even more lost time. I made some really great memories along the way, but I was also still "all-over-the-place" and wasn't completely on top of my stuff.
Now, I feel like I have limited my post-graduate chances. I have ambitions to do either an MBA, go to law school, or simply do a masters in my major and go into research/academia from there. I very badly want to do all three at prestigious schools (U of T, McGill), or even the Ivy Leagues or Oxbridge. However, I don't think my chances of getting into Harvard Law or into an MA program at McGill will be too high after they see my average. I do have some pretty strong ECs as of now (which I am extremely grateful for) and am looking to begin with research in my third year, but my GPA so far just doesn't cut it.
I know that I'm still in my second year, and that I have a chance to still turn things around and raise my GPA to something much more competitive by the time I graduate, but the dream of being that "perfect 4.0 student" is impossible now. It hurts so deeply considering that I was one of the top (academically) students in my high school (3.8-3.9 GPA), getting honour roll all 4 years and earning a dope entrance scholarship. I feel like I wasted all of that, and that I'm continuing to waste my potential by failing to tame my bad habits.
So for my next two years, I'm promising myself that I'll be that top student I always wanted to be. I'm still gonna aim for that 4.0 every semester onward, or at least dean's list throughout the rest of my uni career. I want to fight for that high average and discipline, but I fear that I'll be doomed to repeat the same bs I did this year, considering that I spent two years being a mediocre student. I don't want to do that again, I want to actually EXCEL and react my FULL POTENTIAL. I fully regret giving in to laziness, I condemn myself for prioritizing partying over studying, I regret not asking for help when I needed it the most, and I regret any other imprudent decision I have made during this year.
I genuinely want to do better this time. I want that 4.0 desperately. Rant over.

Just got in with a 50% scholarship!!! Is the program worth to attend? How prestigious is it? Thx!

Hi, I’m from nyc and I got into hunters nursing scholars program and UVA BSN program (both are direct admission). I’m stuck choosing which school to go to. If I go to Hunter college I will get money back. If I go to UVA I won’t need to pay much since I got a good scholarship that covers a lot of the cost. Both programs are good but I’m not sure which one to choose. (I’m planning to work in ny after undergrad.) I need to make a decision by the deadline which is tomorrow :)

Hi all, I am graduating next week and I still haven’t chosen a college. I am a business major, specifically looking to go into accounting (or economics if I strongly dislike accounting). I was accepted into UT Austin’s McCombs and UMich’s Ross with full financial aid for both of them and I am stuck between them. The top things I worry about the most are diversity (I am African American), the competitiveness of schools (I need to maintain a 3.0 for my scholarship requirements), and strong community (I’m black going to a PWI, I get homesick easily, and I can be shy). Here are some of the things I like (+) and dislike (-) about UT Austin and UMich:
UT Austin:

• My target school and a little over an hour away from where I am from
  

• 1 accounting program

• I could do a five-year accounting program where I receive my bachelor’s and masters
  
• Easiest transition, more friends going to UT, especially if I get homesick
  
• Get to have a single dorm
  
• More diversity, more inclusive, especially a stronger black presence within McCombs
  
• Top business school, even if not higher than Ross
  
• Ugly campus
  
• Nothing new, have to stay in texas
  
• hot and humid
  
• Less prestige
  
• less majors to choose from if I dislike accounting
  

UMich:

• A lot more majors to choose from, such as economics which I could switch to if I dislike accounting
  
• Stronger alumni base
  
• Amazing campus compared to UT
  
• Great sports, I love hockey, I could get involved with the team’s media or play intramural hockey
  
• Slightly higher rank than UT Austin
  
• I may get super homesick
  
• Lack of diversity compared to UT makes me nervous I will get impostor syndrome
  
• I have to leave my best friends
  
• If I lose any of my scholarships somehow I am screwed, because I cannot pay out-of-state tuition
  
• So cold (I’m from Texas)
  
• Have to have a roommate (I will have a single at UT)
  

I am like 95% UT just based on the fact that I wanna do the five-year accounting program and partly because I wanna stay close to my bf, but there’s still that 5% to me that is curious about UMich, not because Ross, but because the campus is so awesome and I love hockey.

Hi all, I am graduating next week and I still haven’t chosen a college. I am a business major, specifically looking to go into accounting (or economics if I strongly dislike accounting). I was accepted into UT Austin’s McCombs and UMich’s Ross with full financial aid for both of them and I am stuck between them. The top things I worry about the most are diversity (I am African American), the competitiveness of schools (I need to maintain a 3.0 for my scholarship requirements), and strong community (I’m black going to a PWI, I get homesick easily, and I can be shy). Here are some of the things I like (+) and dislike (-) about UT Austin and UMich:
UT Austin:

• My target school and a little over an hour away from where I am from
  

• 1 accounting program

• I could do a five-year accounting program where I receive my bachelor’s and masters
  
• Easiest transition, more friends going to UT, especially if I get homesick
  
• Get to have a single dorm
  
• More diversity, more inclusive, especially a stronger black presence within McCombs
  
• Top business school, even if not higher than Ross
  
• Ugly campus
  
• Nothing new, have to stay in texas
  
• hot and humid
  
• Less prestige
  
• less majors to choose from if I dislike accounting
  

UMich:

• A lot more majors to choose from, such as economics which I could switch to if I dislike accounting
  
• Stronger alumni base
  
• Amazing campus compared to UT
  
• Great sports, I love hockey, I could get involved with the team’s media or play intramural hockey
  
• Slightly higher rank than UT Austin
  
• I may get super homesick
  
• Lack of diversity compared to UT makes me nervous I will get impostor syndrome
  
• I have to leave my best friends
  
• If I lose any of my scholarships somehow I am screwed, because I cannot pay out-of-state tuition
  
• So cold (I’m from Texas)
  
• Have to have a roommate (I will have a single at UT)
  

I am like 95% UT just based on the fact that I wanna do the five-year accounting program and partly because I wanna stay close to my bf, but there’s still that 5% to me that is curious about UMich, not because Ross, but because the campus is so awesome and I love hockey.

Hi all, I am graduating next week and I still haven’t chosen a college. I am a business major, specifically looking to go into accounting (or economics if I strongly dislike accounting). I was accepted into UT Austin’s McCombs and UMich’s Ross with full financial aid for both of them and I am stuck between them. The top things I worry about the most are diversity (I am African American), the competitiveness of schools (I need to maintain a 3.0 for my scholarship requirements), and strong community (I’m black going to a PWI, I get homesick easily, and I can be shy). Here are some of the things I like (+) and dislike (-) about UT Austin and UMich:
UT Austin:

• My target school and a little over an hour away from where I am from
  

• 1 accounting program

• I could do a five-year accounting program where I receive my bachelor’s and masters
  
• Easiest transition, more friends going to UT, especially if I get homesick
  
• Get to have a single dorm
  
• More diversity, more inclusive, especially a stronger black presence within McCombs
  
• Top business school, even if not higher than Ross
  
• Ugly campus
  
• Nothing new, have to stay in texas
  
• hot and humid
  
• Less prestige
  
• less majors to choose from if I dislike accounting
  

UMich:

• A lot more majors to choose from, such as economics which I could switch to if I dislike accounting
  
• Stronger alumni base
  
• Amazing campus compared to UT
  
• Great sports, I love hockey, I could get involved with the team’s media or play intramural hockey
  
• Slightly higher rank than UT Austin
  
• I may get super homesick
  
• Lack of diversity compared to UT makes me nervous I will get impostor syndrome
  
• I have to leave my best friends
  
• If I lose any of my scholarships somehow I am screwed, because I cannot pay out-of-state tuition
  
• So cold (I’m from Texas)
  
• Have to have a roommate (I will have a single at UT)
  

I am like 95% UT just based on the fact that I wanna do the five-year accounting program and partly because I wanna stay close to my bf, but there’s still that 5% to me that is curious about UMich, not because Ross, but because the campus is so awesome and I love hockey.

CCNY or City tech or NYIT
I’ve been accepted into all. CCNY and City tech for mechanical engineering (might switch to electrical) and NYIT for electrical and computer engineering technologies. After aid I should be looking at going to both CUNY’s for really cheap if not free and going to NYIT with $9500 tuition per year. I have to make a decision tomorrow since the deposit deadline for NYIT is May 15th. I’m still debating whether or not NYIT is worth it. I heard it has really good internships and programs but I don’t know if I’m really willing to pay that much. My parents are telling me to go but I don’t want to put them in 40k debt. At first I was planning on going to cuny and transferring into NYIT with better scholarships but I noticed that Transfers get a max scholarship that is less than mine which would result in me paying more than I would be now. I’m also hearing lots of mixed opinions on CCNY and city tech. I heard that CCNY has good engineering programs but shitty teachers that make you graduate late. I also heard that city tech has worse programs but more hands on work, which is what I’m interested in. Honestly worst case scenario here is that I go to NYIT, Pay $9500, decide i don’t like it, and then go to cuny. Which is bad but at the same time I guess it’s not terrible. Either way I’m pretty sure I’m just boned.
Edit: Are there any additional grants or need based aid that I can apply for if I go to nyit?

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for any kids summer programs that I could look into for my 12yr old son (13 in June). I am a single mom so anything that won’t cost too much (not the boys and girls club as he has had a bad experience there unfortunately) I looked at the University website but they are EXTREMELY expensive even with a scholarship. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

So this is a long one. Like, I'm going back over it and damn. This is longer than I thought it would be. Throwaway account, I've only made one other post to this relating to what's going on. Instead of updating the other post, I figured I'd make a separate one about the whole shit show I experienced, and the shit circus I uncovered and avoided. I'll try to keep this in as chronological an order as I can.
As the title says, my abusive/narc mom and pos/delusional/golden child brother started trying to reach out to me a few months ago wanting to make amends and build bridges with me again. There were a few people that commented on my previous post in another subreddit that may be a little disappointed in me for how I handled this, and a few that might enjoy that I handled it the way I did. Someone commented to not let them use my good nature. My nature is dependent on who I'm dealing with, and when it comes to that side of my family, I'm more stick than carrot. So their attempts did not go ignored, and did not go unpunished.
Growing up, I was always closer with my Dad than my mom. My brother was the epitome of "pampered mamma's boy". He started having seizures as a child and was diagnosed with epilepsy, which I thought was why my mom babied the absolute fuck out of him long into adulthood. He would go a year or 2 without any seizures, and then there would be a few months where he'd be having them every other day. At Anytime he got in trouble at home or school, my mom would find a way to blame me, for not making sure he knew whatever he was doing would get him in trouble, or she would blame my dad for not being "involved enough in their baby's life." My dad was in the Navy and I remember any time he'd deploy, I'd dread every day until he came back. My brother would taunt me that he knew whatever he did, I'd be the one to get in trouble for it. My dad would always make things up for me when he got back from his deployments though. We'd often have weekend trips just the 2 of us. And then around my 12th birthday, my mom insisted on sitting us all down and explain to that she and my dad were getting a divorce. We got the whole talk about how they still love us and they just can't be together anymore, etc. my dad told us both that he still loved us and he would be there for us whenever we needed him. He explained that he would be moving out, but he would be by to pick us up to spend the weekends with us. I was nervous and honestly scared of what it would be like without him. But I was looking forward to the weekend when I got to see him again. That never happened though, and that was the last time I ever got to see him.
Right before his weekend with us, my mom explained to us that my dad didn't want anything to do with us anymore. There was some news story about a father that killed his kids when he had custody of them and she used that to terrify my brother and convince him that our dad wanted to kill us to start his life over. We left damn near everything behind and moved in with my mom's brother in Florida (from Virginia) a couple days before my dad was supposed to come get us. After that, she went to great lengths to make sure we had no contact from him.
Years went on, my mom seemed more indifferent towards me than ever. She never seemed interested in anything I did unless my brother also seemed interested in it. She didn't show any interest in my wanting to learn guitar until my brother also showed interest in it. Then we got one guitar that we had to share, I'd take lessons on the condition that I taught my brother whatever I learned in them. My brother eventually wound up breaking the guitar and I was blamed for not storing it in the case it came with. I had to share my N64 with him whenever he wanted to play it. I was playing perfect dark one day and having a hard time killing the skedar leader at the end of the game. My brother burst into the room saying he wanted to play his MegaMan game, to which I just replied "give me a minute, this boss fight is hard, once I'm done you can have your turn" He didn't like that. He left the room and came back with a hammer and smashed the console while I was still playing. My fault for not letting him play it. The only thing I had that he could not use was a pair of roller blades my aunt got me for my 14th birthday. I specifically asked for roller blades to get around instead of a bike because my brother and I had different shoe sizes, so he couldn't wear them Because of constant shit like that, I never really put much value in having things growing up. I didnt want to buy something or get something as a gift just to have it fucked up in a few weeks or months. At some point, my "little" brother became the larger one, so my clothes all became "hand-me-ups" as he outgrew everything. So, because I didn't really have any distractions at home, I turned into a high achieving student, rarely got in trouble. made the honor roll all throughout school. But that wasn't something to celebrate as it was expected of me. I had long since decided that I was moving out as soon as I could once I turn 18. I got a job working at a Walgreens as soon as I could and started saving up for a car. My mom however took issue with this and would never agree to take me looking for one and absolutely refused to ever have it put on her insurance. This is where my Aunt comes in. She and her son are the only 2 on my mom's side that aren't some sort of degenerate. She had her son young, but put herself through college while raising him alone and eventually got her MBA and a cushy upper corporate job. She told me to tell my mom I had to go in to work on one of my days off, that she would pick me up and she would take me car shopping. So that's what we did. I couldn't quite afford a cash car, but she helped me with the financing. I put down what I had as the down payment, the arrangement she made with me was that 1- as long as I was in school, she would cover the insurance and payments for me, however, if I got into an accident, I was responsible for paying the deductable. And 2- as long as i was living with my mom, the car remained in her (Aunt's) name. And if anything happened to it, to let her know so she could get the appropriate authorities involved. My mom was PISSED when she found out I now had a car. Her reasoning (that she said in front of my aunt) was that she didn't think it was fair for one of us-either me or my brother- to have something the other couldn't use. Due to him being 13 and having epilepsy, he couldn't drive, so why should i have a car if my brother doesn't? That turned into a long shouting match between my mom and Aunt that basically ended with my aunt explaining that since it was her car, and all paperwork on her name, I was just on the insurance for it so I could drive it. But if anything at all happened to it while I was living at my Mom's, that the police and insurance companies would get involved. My mom still kept track of all the miles on the car to "make sure I was only going to work and school and wherever she told me I could go". Most of the time, when I hung out with friends, I wasn't the one driving. From that that point though, my mindset was very much "keep my head down and nose clean until I can leave." I graduated a month before my 18th birthday. After graduation, my mom and i got into an argument about me contributing to her bills. I eventually dropped the ball that I planned on getting back in touch with my Dad and leaving. She started laughing. Something about that laugh made me really uncomfortable. She then said "well, you can certainly meet up with him whenever you want! I'll supply the gun if you buy the bullet!" And told me my dad had died when I was 15. That. Fucking. Broke. Me. Later that night, i called my best friend and vented everything to him. He was in the DEP program for the Navy and would be shipping out in a few months, he told me to come by first thing in the morning and talk with him and his parents about the whole situation. I basically packed up all of my clothes and left the day after my 18th birthday. I just left my house key and a note that said "I'm not your problem anymore." I couch surfed for a little while until after my best friend left for boot camp, then I was able to move in and live with his parents (chosen parents basically). My only real rules were keep the house and my space clean and make sure I had a job and/or going to school. I spent a few months mourning my dad and kind of in a haze. Since he was in the Navy though, that meant I was reliable for financial aid for school. My second dad helped me get everything put together to start receiving that so I could start college.
Well, after a couple years of this, my brother, who had spent his time at school more as "forced socializing" instead of learning, was expelled from public schools for allegedly setting off a fire extinguisher in a classroom. He had to enroll at an alternative school called "the drop back-in academy" that was specifically for dropouts or anyone that got the boot from the public school system. My mom reached out to me and asked me if I would drive him to this school in the mornings, she'd pick him up in the afternoons, and she'd pay me $20 a week.I agreed to it thinking this was out of character for her, but she surprisingly held up to that agreement. I drove him for a couple years until I was ready to start my bachelor program. My second parents were getting ready to move back to their hometown and I was going to start school on the other side of the city. So, I was moving to that side of town and couldn't really drive out of my way to pick up and drop off my brother anymore. He continued his enrollment at this place for another 3 years (5 years total) and it turned out, he was never attending. I would drop his ass off there every day and he'd just walk home immediately after I pulled out of the parking lot. He'd just tell my mom that he finished his work early and decided to walk home instead of wait around for her. One afternoon, I'm coming home early from work and my brother is just sitting on the steps to my studio apartment. He tells me that he and our mom got into a really big argument and he needs a place to stay. I (reluctantly) let him in. I'm stuck thinking he must be really desperate if he's coming to me for help. But I start thinking at this point, he's 24, jobless, and probably needs to learn some self discipline and responsibility, and our mom just never did that for him. So I try to help. I ask him what their fight was about and he tells me that he started dating this girl at his alternative school. She was 21 and got the boot from the school system for being too old to attend (we actually have several relatives that were kicked out of the school system for the same reason) and that he accidentally got her pregnant and our mom did not take kindly to that. I called my landlord and explained the situation to him. He was okay with it, so I let him crash on my couch for a little bit (until the end of my lease, then I'd be moving) and just told him to clean up after himself, take care of himself, etc until we could all work this out. He crashed there for a few months and did Jack shit. He would complain that I didn't have a computer for him to use (I only had a laptop I bought for school) and I didn't have any video game consoles for him to entertain himself with. So he was stuck there bored all day. I got tired of the complaining and lack of effort and told him he had to go back to our mom's if he wasn't going to be an adult. We started shouting at each other until he dropped this little bombshell. He yelled "I can't go back to Mom's!" And when I asked why, he just blurted out "because it's to close to that elementary school!" That stopped the whole thing. "And why is that a big deal now?" I asked him. I already knew why that would be the problem, but 1% of me was holding onto the hope that he was got jumped by a gang of 5th graders and the trauma was too much for him to bear. I told him he could either tell me what's going on, or I could make a phone call and get every last detail I needed. He confessed that he had been leaving that school and going over to his "girlfriend's" house and waiting for her to get home. And that one day, her mom ended up catching them in the act. I explained to him that he was leaving out important details if that was the reason he couldn't be near a school.
He told me she was 14, not 21. I. Lost. My. Shit. Everything after that is kinda fuzzy, but he was arrested, mom posted bail, and since she lived right around the corner from an elementary school, he couldn't stay there. So they told his parole officer that he'd be staying at my address until his court date.. his PO had swung by a couple times, but I was always either at work or school or out somewhere. At this point, I told him the lease was up in 6 weeks, I couldn't stand to be around him. I packed my stuff early, moved out into a storage unit, and I stayed at an extended stay hotel until it was time for me to move. Called my landlord and told him what was going on, and if my brother was still there the last week of the lease, nail him for trespassing. My landlord was a good guy. I never had any problems with him. I paid up the last 6 weeks and threw him since extra cash for his troubles as I knew I wouldn't be getting my deposit back. That was the last time I saw my brother. After I moved out of state, I cut all contact with everyone in that family except my Aunt who was the only one that ever helped me out or even had my back. But even then, it was just through email. We'd mainly email birthday and holiday wishes to each other. Updates from my side on how life and career are going.
I never had a myspace or a Facebook growing up. I either never had a computer to check it on, or I was just so accustomed to not having any online distractions that I just never got around to making one. I did finally make a Facebook and I did get in touch with my dad's side of the family and reconnected with them. I hadn't seem most of them since I was 4 or 5. Some of them had been in contact with my brother (he fucking knew our dad died) and was spinning some sort of web about how he graduated high school early, had gone to college for pre-med and then got some sort of full ride scholarship to some prestigious medical school in Florida. He told them I wasn't on social media because I had been arrested for selling drugs and that he was taking me in after I got released. He was also using my senior portrait as a profile pic. They were surprised when they saw me and how I "looked just like my brother!" I had set the record straight. They looked dumbfounded when I told them that he couldn't get himself out of the 9th grade in 10 years, and now would likely never complete his high school journey due to the fact he can't be within 100 yards of a school.
So, fast forward to last week. I checked my email for the first time since late January (for my aunt's birthday) and noticed a few from her saying my mom wanted to reach out, then several emails from a new address. It was my mom's first initial and last name. Subject lines usually read "please respond" and "let me know you're okay" and stuff like that. I'd copy some of them over, but holy shit this is already a novella. Basically she got my email address from sneaking my aunt's phone (aunt did not sell me out). She's trying to apologize for how she treated me growing up and trying to excuse it by saying I reminded her of my dad and then she was going through menopause and just any excuse to dishes full accountability it seems. She acknowledges that it was wrong to hold me accountable for my brother's fuck-ups but dismisses that by saying he didn't know any better and she needed me to be a good role model for him. Things have been hard for her since I left, since she "had" to take my brother back in (I would've left him on the street or in jail), she had to sell her house (she was only 10 years into her mortgage) and buy another smaller one further from a school for him. He never did get a hs diploma or GED because how can he? And she's been going through breast cancer treatment for the last several months and just doesn't have the energy to take care of her 33yo baby anymore. She asked me if I lived close enough to them to take him in for a little bit while she focuses on her health. I left Florida 8 years ago and haven't even lived in the same time zone in 6 years. She can only check her email at work since she no longer has Internet at home. She had to cancel her home Internet service because of him. So, I decided to just put my brother's name into a search bar and the first thing that pops up is a FDLE sex offender's page. And holy shit has he gone downhill. He had a second arrest when he was 27 for the same thing, and then was caught in communications with another girl (like Chris Hansen sting) and was released from prison at the beginning of the year. And the mugshot.... You know the pale lady from the scary stories to tell in the dark movie? Think that, but with a patchy beard. Beady eyes, bad skin and all. According to the sheriff's office inmate search, he's been arrested 5 times in the last 10 years. Twice for lewd and lascivious battery of a minor (aged 12-15), once for solicitation of a minor, and twice for probation violations.
The TL/DR: abusive mom took all her frustrations out on me, blamed me for everything my brother did, hid my father's death from me until I was almost 18, and reaches out after 8 years of no contact and wants me to take care of her pedophile son while she's in poor health.
I'm attaching my response to her below.
Hi. I'm alive. I'm well. I'm also not okay with you contacting me, especially under the circumstances that you violated the privacy of your own sister to get my contact information. I have read your apologies and excuses and I do not accept either. You say I reminded you of Dad? He spent more time with me and showed more interest in my well-being than you ever did, and that's including the 6 years he was absent from my life by your own selfish design. Menopause? I find that hard to believe as this went on for the better part of half a decade and not once in that time did your attitude towards brother change. You always treated him with the same coddling infantile obsession and patience that one would show a toddler. It was and is clear that you have a preferred child as that adult-sized pile of shit is still living comfortably with dear old mama. I'm guessing no one else is willing to take him in? Are Uncle and Cousins afraid of him doing something to their daughters or grandchildren? I do believe you when you say you want to rebuild the bridge that you nuked from orbit years ago, but I can't believe it's not for your own selfish desires. And I can't find any reason or way my quality of life could be improved with your presence. The reality is, my life has been far better without you than it could be with you. I've never said this to anyone, but if there is a sense of karma and balance in the universe, your current situation is proof of that. The next time I see your name on my computer screen, had better be for your obituary. But since you and the monster you raised both decided to keep Dad's death a secret from me, and remove any choice I had to mourn or pay my respects, I'll return that kindness to you.
Please die away from me.

I’ve been accepted into both. CCNY and City tech for mechanical engineering (might switch to electrical) and NYIT for electrical and computer engineering technologies. After aid I should be looking at going to both CUNY’s for really cheap if not free and going to NYIT with $9500 tuition per year. I have to make a decision tomorrow since the deposit deadline for NYIT is May 15th. I’m still debating whether or not NYIT is worth it. I heard it has really good internships and programs but I don’t know if I’m really willing to pay that much. My parents are telling me to go but I don’t want to put them in 40k debt. At first I was planning on going to cuny and transferring into NYIT with better scholarships but I noticed that Transfers get a max scholarship that is less than mine which would result in me paying more than I would be now. I’m also hearing lots of mixed opinions on CCNY and city tech. I heard that CCNY has good engineering programs but shitty teachers that make you graduate late. I also heard that city tech has worse programs but more hands on work, which is what I’m interested in. Honestly worst case scenario here is that I go to NYIT, Pay $9500, decide i don’t like it, and then go to cuny. Which is bad but at the same time I guess it’s not terrible. Either way I’m pretty sure I’m just boned.

"my_qualifications"
Currently in class 12th (cbse board)
How do I decide between studying in Italy, where English-taught programs are abundant and offer scholarships, but with a less favorable job market, versus Germany, known for its strong job market but limited English-taught programs? Considering pursuing a bachelor's in Italy and then a master's in Germany - is this a viable plan for someone aiming to settle abroad, specifically in the field of computer science or data science,

Hi everyone,
I've got accepted into the MSc Computer Science Conversion program at the University of Birmingham. But I'm also waiting to hear back from the university of Bristol, Newcastle, and Glasgow for the same program.
As I'm coming from a non-CS background and an international student, I'm wanted a student's perspective on these programs. If any of you have completed or are currently studying the MSc Computer Science Conversion course at Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, or Glasgow or any other uni, I'd like to read your insights!
Specifically about:

1. Course modules and curriculum structure
2. Intensity of the coursework and workload
3. Teaching quality and support provided by the universities
4. Opportunities for part-time work while studying
5. Overall student life in the city and safety at the universities
6. Can I land a job with this degree
7. Something that you regret you should've start early or not did at all

I'm confused on whether to accept Birmingham's offer now or wait for decisions from other universities. Birmingham is offering an scholarship of £2,000 if my offer becomes unconditional before May 31st, which can be done by paying the deposit.
Feel free to drop any advice or general thoughts you have on these programs would be immensely helpful as I make my decision. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I've got accepted into the MSc Computer Science Conversion program at the University of Birmingham. But I'm also waiting to hear back from the university of Bristol, Newcastle, and Glasgow for the same program.
As I'm coming from a non-CS background and an international student, I'm wanted a student's perspective on these programs. If any of you have completed or are currently studying the MSc Computer Science Conversion course at Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, or Glasgow or any other uni, I'd like to read your insights!
Specifically about:

1. Course modules and curriculum structure
2. Intensity of the coursework and workload
3. Teaching quality and support provided by the universities
4. Opportunities for part-time work while studying
5. Overall student life in the city and safety at the universities
6. Can I land a job with this degree
7. Something that you regret you should've start early or not did at all

I'm confused on whether to accept Birmingham's offer now or wait for decisions from other universities. Birmingham is offering an scholarship of £2,000 if my offer becomes unconditional before May 31st, which can be done by paying the deposit.
Feel free to drop any advice or general thoughts you have on these programs would be immensely helpful as I make my decision. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I've got accepted into the MSc Computer Science Conversion program at the University of Birmingham. But I'm also waiting to hear back from the university of Bristol, Newcastle, and Glasgow for the same program.
As I'm coming from a non-CS background and an international student, I'm wanted a student's perspective on these programs. If any of you have completed or are currently studying the MSc Computer Science Conversion course at Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, or Glasgow or any other uni, I'd like to read your insights!
Specifically about:

1. Course modules and curriculum structure
2. Intensity of the coursework and workload
3. Teaching quality and support provided by the universities
4. Opportunities for part-time work while studying
5. Overall student life in the city and safety at the universities
6. Can I land a job with this degree
7. Something that you regret you should've start early or not did at all

I'm confused on whether to accept Birmingham's offer now or wait for decisions from other universities. Birmingham is offering an scholarship of £2,000 if my offer becomes unconditional before May 31st, which can be done by paying the deposit.
Feel free to drop any advice or general thoughts you have on these programs would be immensely helpful as I make my decision. Thanks in advance!

So I’m just torn honestly. I got into other schools but these two have offered me the most scholarship and I’m unsure what to do. University of Portland has offered me about 10k per year as an out of state student and USF 20k. I didn’t realize how badly I want to major in fine art which I can do at USF but 20k per year is so expensive, even with admittance to the Honors College. I was waitlisted for University of Portland’s Honors program and would be doing Sociology and hopefully adding History as a dual major if I were to attend. Is the debt worth it for an art degree? 80k for four years is insane though