Thinking about Americorps...
Oct. 8th, 2003 07:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
conuly
I heard about Americorps way back in the 10th grade (second time around) from Mr. Berkowitz, my American History teacher. One of the better teachers in my life, he retired the year after that.
It's basically kinda like the Peace Corps, but shorter, in the US, and you don't have to be a college graduate. And there's Americorps programs you can do without leaving home.
Anyway, I want to do this. It'd look good on a grad school application, not to mention if I want to go into CUNY BA instead of just taking classes at Brooklyn College, which I'll have to do if I want to take all those languages I want to take. I could do part-time work, or something in the area, but I worry that if I do that, I wouldn't actually be able to do that, I'd get depressed and lethargic. So I've been thinking about the NCCC, which would keep me from having an excuse to not do anything. But there's some obvious pros and cons to this.
PROS
1. I wouldn't be able to slack off so easily.
1a. Hopefully, I would learn not to slack off so much in general.
2. It would be good to take some time away from my family
3. Being with other people might help my social skills, which are somewhat lacking.
4. It might also be good to take a short break from school, make sure I know what I want to do. College is too expensive to spend your time putzing around.
CONS
1. I'm not great with social, what if I can't take being in a forced social situation?
2. Less computer time... well, that's a pro too....
3. I'd have to take a year off of school.
I would get a small stipend and an education bonus for this, but I can get that for doing something closer to home as well.
If I do this, I'd like to do this next year. MAYBE the year after.
Thoughts?
OKAY! PEOPLE! Please say something. I really DO need help.
It's basically kinda like the Peace Corps, but shorter, in the US, and you don't have to be a college graduate. And there's Americorps programs you can do without leaving home.
Anyway, I want to do this. It'd look good on a grad school application, not to mention if I want to go into CUNY BA instead of just taking classes at Brooklyn College, which I'll have to do if I want to take all those languages I want to take. I could do part-time work, or something in the area, but I worry that if I do that, I wouldn't actually be able to do that, I'd get depressed and lethargic. So I've been thinking about the NCCC, which would keep me from having an excuse to not do anything. But there's some obvious pros and cons to this.
1. I wouldn't be able to slack off so easily.
1a. Hopefully, I would learn not to slack off so much in general.
2. It would be good to take some time away from my family
3. Being with other people might help my social skills, which are somewhat lacking.
4. It might also be good to take a short break from school, make sure I know what I want to do. College is too expensive to spend your time putzing around.
1. I'm not great with social, what if I can't take being in a forced social situation?
2. Less computer time... well, that's a pro too....
3. I'd have to take a year off of school.
I would get a small stipend and an education bonus for this, but I can get that for doing something closer to home as well.
If I do this, I'd like to do this next year. MAYBE the year after.
Thoughts?
OKAY! PEOPLE! Please say something. I really DO need help.
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no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 06:18 pm (UTC)I think it would be a really good experience for you. That said, living in a dorm-style situation is tough, and I think for you especially. You would *really* need to be able to compromise on your living specifications, i.e. sound, lights, etc. You usually don't get to choose who you room with, so it's luck of the draw. Mind you, you're not a great roommate either. And the mess would HAVE to be handled properly. Dirty clothes, etc. not cool hanging around in the room for weeks.
I would suggest you call their hotline, I'm sure they have one, and arrange to speak with a counselor. Make sure you have all your questions handy - I can help with that if you want.
Does this help?
no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 08:11 pm (UTC)However, you do have more pros than cons listed, and it would be really cool. You'd get to do people-helping stuff, right? That would be good. You've always seemed incredibly smart to me, so I'm not sure how much you need extra stuff on a grad-school app, but I agree that it would look good.
It's a big decision. Think about it lots and talk with your family about it. I'm sure you were planning on doing that anyway.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 08:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 06:18 pm (UTC)I think it would be a really good experience for you. That said, living in a dorm-style situation is tough, and I think for you especially. You would *really* need to be able to compromise on your living specifications, i.e. sound, lights, etc. You usually don't get to choose who you room with, so it's luck of the draw. Mind you, you're not a great roommate either. And the mess would HAVE to be handled properly. Dirty clothes, etc. not cool hanging around in the room for weeks.
I would suggest you call their hotline, I'm sure they have one, and arrange to speak with a counselor. Make sure you have all your questions handy - I can help with that if you want.
Does this help?
no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 08:11 pm (UTC)However, you do have more pros than cons listed, and it would be really cool. You'd get to do people-helping stuff, right? That would be good. You've always seemed incredibly smart to me, so I'm not sure how much you need extra stuff on a grad-school app, but I agree that it would look good.
It's a big decision. Think about it lots and talk with your family about it. I'm sure you were planning on doing that anyway.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-08 08:45 pm (UTC)