College Confusion Clarified #1

Hello fellow high schoolers, middle schoolers and late bloomers alike,

I’m here with a new series for y’all called: College Confusion Clarified (As you may have notice)

I’m here to help you, help yourself through the most confusing time ever. Whether you are in the time crunch of getting those app’s in by January (which is right around the corner so message me with any immediate help! info will be at the end!) or you still have some time, this series is for you!

Not to toot my own horn,  but I’m 4 for 4 in the application process! I’ve been accepted into Le Moyne, Saint Joseph’s, Fairfield and Mercyhurst, all with scholarships! *END BRAG SHESH*

This first post is going to be about the essay. The dreaded common app essay.

If you can, you will want to get it done as early as possible. But if you are anything like me, or any teenager for that matter, it doesn’t always happen. Here is a little time line for you:

Early Action Application Submission:

start your essay and common app information OVER THE SUMMER.

Start date: AUGUST 15th 

Early action/decision deadline: NOVEMBER 1ST

Regular Decision Application Submission: 

start you essay & information NO LATER than: NOVEMBER 1ST

Deadline: January-March

You wouldn’t believe how fast time goes with the holidays and such.

SO back to the essay.

The common app will give you 5 prompts. read them ALL. find which one speaks to you. It’s cheesy but you’re going to spend an obscene amount of time with this prompt and response and you’re going to want to really feel passionate about what you’re talking about.

Here are the prompts that were launched August 1st 2013. They are almost the same as the previous years so it’s not a bad idea to start thinking about these, they could very well be next years prompts.

Option #1: Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Fot this one, this “Identity”. What are your values? What do you live by? Why?

Option #2: Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

This may be tough to talk about, but go out on a whim. Show the college, if applicable, *here is what happened* and *this is why I’m a better person because of it*

Option #3: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

This is very open ended and honesty is the best policy with these essays. Don’t be afraid to speak about your religion, beliefs, ect. and why they are so important to you.

Option #4: Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

This is also very open ended and can give the admissions counselors the ability to really get to know you and what you value and that can go a LONG way.

Option #5: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

This can be a great essay, or a deal breaker. You want the admissions people to love what you do, but don’t toot your horn too much. Avoid the “hero” aspect, it can make you sound shallow.

 

So now that your wheels are turning in your head, go crazy with writing. Draft after draft after draft. Don’t be afraid to write something and scrap it completely because some of the best inspiration can come from your mistakes. I know that happened for me!

You will write a hundred versions of the same paper in a million different ways but I promise it will all work out.

Some of the best people to ask for advice and revisions include:

• Teachers (specifically English teachers or any that you are close with)
• Parents/ family members
• Counselors
• College Counselors

 

That’s all I can think of regarding the common app essay. Just remember, start early, be honest and revise revise revise. 

I wish you all the luck, leave your questions in the comments or contact me at:

kik: sammii06

facebook: sammi spallina

email: sammi.spallina@gmail.com

 

xoxo,

S

 

Dismal Dreams

“No! NO! Help me! Mommy!” Aaron screams as he thrashes around in his bed.

“Honey, wake up, you’re alight.” His mother consoles him. “It only a dream remember?”

Aaron lets out a loud cry as he dives into his mothers warm embrace. “Tell me what happened in your dream”

“The bad guy! He was chasing me! And he was big and scary and he was faster than me!” He tries to explain between muffled sobs.

“But remember what I told you, these scary dreams aren’t real. I’m sure you will forget all about it in the morning. I will stay with you until you fall back to sleep, how does that sound?” She tries to reason with the visibly shaken child. 

“Ok I guess” He responds submissively, placing his head back on his pillow and giving in to his heavy eyelids. He takes one more glance up for approval from his mother and she smiles warmly back at him, hoping to ease the fear in his eyes. After a few minutes, he is fast asleep once again and she quietly stands, hoping not to wake him. Her husband stands in the doorway with a worried look on his face.

“It shouldn’t be this bad.”

“I know. I finally got him to calm down.”

They stand in silence listening to the young boys every breath.

“I can’t take another night like this” She admits. “The horror stricken look in his eyes when he jolts up from his nightmare kills me, but the detached stare he has when he knows he has to fall back asleep and start all over again pains me even more.”

“Why don’t we take him to the doctor tomorrow morning?”

“I think it is about time”

The two slowly walk in the darkness back to their bedroom and try to fall asleep themselves. She stays awake watching the rotations of the ceiling fan, replaying the events of this night and every other night with her son. By the time she finally lets her mind rest, the sun has already begun to poke out over the treetops.

 

 

 

“Hi, I’m Jen, I’m here to speak with Dr. Brown, the dream analyst?” She hesitantly says.

“Oh yes, you called this morning! I will tell her you are in. Please take a seat in our waiting area to the left.”

The family walked down a short hall to a quaint room filled with many chairs and few people filling the space. She chooses a seat across from a middle aged man reading the Psychology magazine and her family followed next to her. Everyone was quiet in the small white room, with some muffled exchanges here and there, but mostly the only sound heard in the room was the turning of magazine pages.

 

Dr. Brown walks in an announces “Aaron?”

All three people eagerly stand and the doctor flashes a reassuring smile.

“I’m Jen, this is my husband Greg and my son, Aaron.”

“So nice to meet you, I’m Dr. Brown. Please follow me this way”

 

They walk through a maze of a few connecting hallways and file into a small room with medical supplies taking up a majority of the space around them. Aaron is told to sit on the examining table and his parents take their place in small chairs adjacent.

 

“Aaron, I understand you’ve been having trouble coping with your dreams lately?”

Aaron doesn’t speak, but shakes his head slightly.

“And why do you think that is?”

Aaron doesn’t answer.

“How old are you again Aaron, four years old?

He nods again.

She presses a button on a control panel at her desk and shortly following, a nurse comes in the room.

 

“Could you take Aaron out of the room, maybe to the play area? I need to speak with his parents about some treatment plans” The doctor says with a smile, growing more forced.

 

The two silently leave the room and Aaron turns back to look at his parents one last time before the door is shut behind him.

 

“Do you think you can help him?” Jen asks with the worry shaking her voice.

“You know the directors rules.” She replies. “Its survival of the fittest. This is only the start of a life time of problems. Some people unfortunately just aren’t made for this society.”

“Screw the rules!” Greg says, raising his voice.

“It’s a great system if you think about it. We get to live in a crime free, problem free world in exchange for a disturbing slumber. Unfortunately, your son seems to be unresponsive to the gases in the air that allow us to forget they ever happened” She says apologetically. “At this point in time, we have no cure or alternate solution.”

“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Jen says quickly

“I did not make the rules, however I must enforce them.”

“No! You can’t do this to us! This is our only baby, you can’t take him!” Greg stands up furiously and bolts for the door but the doctor gets there first.

“Please  sit back down or I will call security” She says calmly

“Let me see my son”
“I am going to try to make this as easy and comfortable a process as I can. Please follow me, I will take you to your son.”

They continue deeper through the building. The once white walls turn a darker shade of grey and the floors are stained and used. They make a final turn down a hall where the light flickers almost with the beat of their quickened pace. They arrive at a large window looking into a room labeled “Pediatric Holding Area” where their son sits. The first tear rolls down Jens cheek as she watches him.

 

“I know this is hard, but it is for the best. You know he cannot stay here.”

Neither parent speaks. They stare motionless into the room.

“How much longer do we have with him before he is… taken?” Jen finally asks

“The escorts should be here in a few minutes. I am not allowed to let you see him. We have had unfortunate events take place between parents and children in desperate measures to stay with each other.”

“Just five minutes” Greg pleads

“I’m sorry. But you may stay and watch from behind the glass”

The two parents stare deeply at the child, holding each other, feeling helpless.

“Where will they take him?”

“They have containment areas set up for children like this.” Dr. Brown explains. “They will take him to the ruins from one of the eight fallen societies that they managed to salvage.”

 

They notice motion in the room and turn quickly to the window. Two men dressed in black coats walk up to Aaron. He begins to cry loudly and get away from the men.

“I can’t watch this” Jen yells in between sobs. Greg tries to console his wife as he watches the scene through the window. One man holds the young boy still as the other prepares a sedative. He sticks the needle into his left arm and almost immediately his body goes limp and the screaming finally subdues. The two men file out of the room, not giving a second glance at the chaos on the other side of the glass.

“You can’t take him! You can’t do this! Bring him back! Bring him back now!” Jen is yelling and pounding on the window.

“Ma’am, there are other patients, please do not disturb them. I will have to call security.” The doctor calmly says.

“Now follow me this way”

They begin to walk back but stop at another glass enclosed room labeled “Adult Holding Area”

“Oh Jen, one last question. You haven’t been having any odd dreams lately, have you? This condition can often be genetic…”

College Life

Haha just kidding.

Pre- College life is more like it. And it is stressful as all hell, let me tell you that. Between college applications, transcript releases, ACT, SAT all while maintaining senior grades? Good. Luck. 

Here is a big tip for all of you coming up to the college application process:

DON’T PROCRASTINATE  

I did it once. And it sucked. 

I actually live in a world of procrastination. 

Welcome to Procrastinationville, population: this  girl right here.

 

I think I might do a post on tips and tricks for the college application process. Being the first, last and only college applicant in my family, I have learned a lot of this the hard way, and on my own. I think its important to have someone in your corner that knows the ins and outs. While I may not know every answer, I can give a little insight. 

Stay tuned my lovelies.

xoxo, S

 

Book Club #1: Illustrated Man

I just started reading Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

The first story I have been assigned for my AP Literature class is called The Veldt.

Let me just give you a little warning:

CAUTION THIS BOOK STORY CONTAINS ODDITIES AND FUTURISTIC CONFUSION.

So, the first problem we run into is the fact the Bradbury wrote futuristically, but he didn’t write far enough in the future. Most of his stories take place in the “futuristic” time of the 1990s. that’s hard to wrap our minds around . Mostly because we know this hasn’t happened.

So the plot goes like this:

The house is alive literally. Basically, everything is automatic. If you perceive yourself as lazy, this is your sanctuary. Lights turn on by themselves, kitchens are fully functioning. Cool futuristic crap that we wish we had but never invented/ actually use in normal homes.
The story is only 12 pages (roughly) but so much is packed into it. The four main characters include a father, mother, and two children and a few extra people that pop along. The father, that you learn is clearly to concerned with other people/ events in his life to really connect and nurture his children, buy them a “nursery” or playroom. Whatever the kids imagine, will happen in that room. From fairy tales to beautiful meadows, you name it, they can have it. Their favorite setting: Africa. Lions, sun and grasslands included, the parents think it has gone too far. They call in a psychologist to “read” the walls. This nursery idea was put into function to help doctors and researchers peel back the layers of what the children in the world have imagined and thought of. The psychologist sees red flags. The father decides they need to leave. They need to break free of the technological restraints they have been suffocated with and finally start to live. The children throw a temper tantrum and scream and swear as he turns off the room. So just as the mover arrives, the children ask for one more visit in the room. And poof. Africa’s back. The parents rush up to save their children from what they perceive as danger aimed at the little ones, when in reality, they get locked in the room with the lions. The final scene is the daughter offering tea to the mover, showing her “innocence”, as the lions finish their meal which is hinted at being that of the parents.

So. Children perceived as innocent turn homicidal. Been there done that. It eerily reminds me of The Shining when those two twin girls are in the hallways all bloody. But I think what makes this creepier than any other murder mystery is because it’s almost as if the outcome is completely out of anyone’s control. All the children did was wish for Africa, and there appeared a deadly death trap that the parents literally walked into on their own.

All in all, I rate this as a must read. It’s a classic. It’s intriguing. It allows you to make your own ending up. And it’s 12 pages.

NOW GO READ!

Xoxo, S

Recipe For Disaster #1- S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie

Need I say any more? 

I tried this out yesterday and I thought I would explode if I didn’t share it with the world. Because honestly, a little part of your life is missing if you don’t try these cookies. 

Inspired by/ recipe from: http://www.smells-like-home.com

INGREDIENTS

For the cookie dough (Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies):

• 2 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For assembly:

• 1 cookie dough recipe, at room temperature
• 8 graham cracker squares, broken into halves (see header note above)
• 4 marshmallows, snipped in half lengthwise
• 1 full-size Hershey’s bar, divided between each of the prospective cookies

 INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the cookie dough: Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or by hand, mix butter and sugars until thoroughly combined. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined. Add dry ingredients and beat at low-speed just until combined – the batter should look a little lumpy. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Preheat oven to 325° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. To assemble and bake: Lay half of the graham crackers out on the baking sheets – two crackers per sheet. Top each cracker with 3-4 pieces of chocolate then top the chocolate with two marshmallow halves, laying them side-by-side. Lay the remaining graham crackers on top of the assemble s’mores. Sandwich the s’mores between two large spoonfuls of cookie dough and using the remaining dough to wrap around each of the s’mores; the result should resemble a small cookie brick.
4. Space the cookies at least 4 inches apart on the two baking sheets. Bake for 20-24 minutes or until the tops and edges are lightly browned and the edges just lift off the pan with a spatula. (While baking, the s’mores will press down under the weight of the cookie dough and will sink further while cooling. Don’t worry if the cookies don’t end up completely covering the s’mores – it only adds to the charm here.) Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and cool the cookies on the sheets for at least 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to the wire racks and cool for another 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Now please go enjoy these delightful pieces of heaven. 

The beginning of the End

So listen, 

I’m not you average senior in high school. 

I’m more of a college-grad-stuck-in-high-schoolers-body kind of girl. I’m painfully mature for my age (not in a conceited way, it is often a downfall), teachers in my school come to me for advice and to sit and talk on their lunch breaks, not the other way around, and I actually enjoy taking on adult responsibilities. Go figure. But hey, the struggles it caused in these past four years will probably turn out to my advantage in the long run, right? Maybe. I don’t have all of the answers. 

But basically, this blog is going to be a mosh pit of random things about my life, tips, tricks, homework help (AKA my notes) and interactions with the followers I don’t have yet. (but hopefully will) 

I am going to try to post as often as possible because I love good old fashioned active blogger. 

xoxo, Gossip Girl.

 

totally kidding don’t take that seriously.  I don’t even watch gossip girl.

~S