The Official Adam Pascal Love Thread, part three- Page 413

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 3:09pm

*Right* now I'm filling out the Columbia application. I'll be applying to five, total.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 3:14pm

That's not too bad. One of my friends is applying to nine or ten.

So you've already heard from U of Chicago, are applying to Columbia, Barnard, UNC-Chapel Hill and where else?

I have no idea what to do about college. I truly don't anticipate financial aid, but I need it to go anywhere I'm interested in.

My list of potential places to apply to next year, in no order:
Columbia, Barnard, Sarah Lawrence, Pratt Institute of Art, Carnegie-Melon, NYU, Kenyon and Oberlin.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 3:20pm

Good luck with your applications, Elphie. Both your lists are very impressive. I did pretty well in high school but would never have considered some of those places.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 3:28pm

Tufts.

You never know, Nia. My family is not poor by any means, but we don't have a lot of money. I guess we're middle class. I am expecting at least some financial aid from any school I apply to, excluding UNC. I don't know your financial situation, obviously, but don't assume you won't get any money.

Thanks, Chloe. I'm going to need it if I don't want to go crazy.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 6:50pm

Ah, college applications. I only applied to one school (before everyone starts looking at me like I'm crazy, keep in mind that I applied early decision to a school that my college advisor said was a safety for me), and that was stressful enough. Most of my friends applied to 6 or 7 places, and I don't know how they did it.

You'd be surprised how much is out there in terms of financial aid. I definitely got more from my school than I would have expected, and there are lots of scholarships available from outside organizations. Bug the hell out of your guidance counselors and find out about ones you can apply for.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 6:57pm

If I may ask, what school or what type of school are you in, Billboard?

We're plain old middle class. I have great grades and all, but the schools I listed don't give merit scholarships or else they aren't enough to make a difference.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 7:00pm

I know people who applied to 14 schools. Now THAT is crazy. I only applied to 7, and I made sure I would be happy at any of those places.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 7:12pm

Nia, I'm at NYU.

I'm also what I would probably consider middle-class, and I'm not sure what portion of my financial aid was merit-based and what portion was need-based, but I get a little over $20,000 per year between what NYU gives me and my National Merit Scholarship and whatever I get from TAP for going to a school in my home state.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 7:17pm

Well, I'm not a National Merit Finalist and I don't live in NY state... but that's suprising. NYU is notorious for being the stingiest with financial aid. May I ask if that was the best offer you recieved?

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 7:21pm

Since NYU was the only school I applied to (see disclaimers a few posts above), I guess you can say it was the best offer I received.

Posted: 12/22/05 at 8:21pm

Weighing in on the whole college topic:

If I would have done as well as I did on the SAT on the PSAT, I would have been a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (or however that works). Insomniak, I'm not sure what grade you're in (it's likely that you've posted it in this thread and I've just missed it, sorry), but definitely give it your all on the PSAT. I felt lazy that day and wasn't really aware of the importance of that test -- not for college admissions, but for scholarships. I scored "only" a 69 on the verbal section... not bad, but considering I earned perfect scores on verbal both times I took the actual SAT, the PSAT score was only due to laziness on my part and I'm still angry about that. (BTW, I'm talking about laziness just reading and filling out the answers, not studying; IMO, it's nearly impossible to study for the revamped verbal/critical reading section).

As I'm sure many of you know, I was accepted ED to NYU last week. I received no financial aid beyond the option to take out a couple-thousand dollar loan. From what I hear, NYU only gives merit scholarships to the top 10% of the incoming class. Considering only 28% of those who apply to NYU are accepted in the first place, the caliber of students at the school is extremely high and the likelihood of being in the top 10% of the incoming class is low.

Keep in mind that my family is upper middle-class, but as you stated, NYU is HORRIBLE with financial aid. I had a discussion about this with a friend who actually got a 1600 on the old SAT. He, perfect score and all, only received a couple thousand dollars per year of merit money from NYU. We came to the conclusion that they're stingy because they simply *can* be... when so many people are willing to go to the school regardless of money, they can afford to do that and still get top students.

If you really feel NYU is the place for you, I'd definitely recommend applying there (obviously, heh). However, do *not* get your hopes up with FA. I never felt that I was going to receive much of anything and I didn't, so I wasn't totally shocked. Definitely don't apply ED if the money is a big factor for you -- you don't want to be bound to go to a school that you just realized you can't afford.
Updated On: 12/22/05 at 08:21 PM

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:15pm

The way the National Merit Scholarships work is that in September of senior year, semifinalists (I think there are about 16,000, and they try to spread them out proportionally to state populations) receive an application for the scholarship that involves an essay, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or other school official, transcript, etc. (I vividly remember freaking out over writing that essay), and then in the springtime, about half of the semifinalists are notified that they will be receiving a scholarship, either from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (a one-time payment of $2,500) or the college they have designated as their first choice/the corporation one of their parents works for (up to $2,000 a year for all 4 years).

I remember being pretty shocked when I read the letter about my financial aid package. I figured that I would be at a disadvantage considering that I applied early and they wouldn't need to try to entice me to choose them over other schools by offering a lot, and while I did have excellent grades and test scores, I was competing against other people with similar credentials.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:25pm

As I've said before, what a lot of very smart people on this thread. As I've also said before, I wonder what it is about the non-intellectual Adam that attracts all the brainy girls. Even his wife went to grad school.

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:33pm

"while I did have excellent grades and test scores, I was competing against other people with similar credentials."

I am exactly in the same position right now. I might be in the upper echelon of students in my school, but I'm just another decently qualified student when it comes to elite colleges.

Chloe: Hm, I've never really thought about that! I would definitely say that if he were to come off as stupid, I'd probably feel "unattracted," so to speak. Although I'm not sure how "book smart" he is, from what I've heard, he seems generally well-spoken. That said, perhaps we "brainy chicks" have learned to have an appreciation for all types of talent? I really don't know. Heh.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:44pm

I don't think he's stupid either, just not literary or theoretical-minded. He probably has quite a bit of emotional intelligence, though, not to mention the kind of straightforward sensuality that over-thinkers would find very refreshing. Well, I guess I over-thought myself into answering my own question.

ETA: I see that the part of Armand in Lestat is going to be recast. I wonder if there's any hope in hell that Adam would be considered for, or want to do it. Updated On: 12/22/05 at 09:44 PM

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:49pm

Heh!

But you're right. I think people are either attracted to someone who's exactly like them and has the exact same interests, beliefs, strengths, etc. or we're attracted to those who possess a talent or strength in abundance that we admire but don't have. :)

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:52pm

Chloe, that's an interesting question. I think a lot of it has to do with how Adam, even though he may not be an "intellectual" so to speak, always comes across in interviews as very confident and knowledgeable about the subject at hand, whether it be his evolution as an actor or the importance of getting young people interested in theater or the culture of instant celebrity. In addition, smart people are better at identifying bull**** and knowing enough to be repelled by it, and Adam is pretty much the antithesis of bull**** (damn, that sounds like it would make a great title for a play).

I can totally picture Adam as one of those people who got decent grades in school without really working too hard, but scored really well on SATs and such.

"or we're attracted to those who possess a talent or strength in abundance that we admire but don't have. :) "

I can definitely see that. I've never been the artistic type (quit dancing school when I was 8 because they stuck me in a the class with the 6-year-olds, always struggled through required art classes, etc.), but I'm rather in awe of those who can sing/dance/play an instrument/paint really well.

Updated On: 12/22/05 at 09:52 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 9:59pm

Opposites do seem to attract a lot, though I'm not sure that it always works out the best. It's even true in the case of which other artists performers admire. I always thought it was strange that François Truffaut, the French filmmaker whose work is very spontaneous, worshipped Alfred Hitchcock, who had every shot and edit planned before he started shooting. And Adam loves heavy metal, though his own songs don't have much of that in them. Elton's favorite band was not the Beatles but the Rolling Stones.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:09pm

Hi!

Well, this computer is horrid. But it works, even though my brother f*cked it up terribly. It's very slow.

I visited my old high school today, and had the same conversation at least ten times, about how school was, and things. I felt like I stepped back in time.

I think Adam's got a brain in his head. Maybe he doesn't always act like it, but I think he's quite intelligent. And very clever.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:10pm

i think hes clever too, he makes me laugh.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:11pm

Well, he is certainly witty!

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:17pm

Glad you made it online, Emcee. Now that so many of you are here, I'll repeat what I wrote below. The part of Armand in Lestat is being recast (Jack Noseworthy was doing it and is being replaced.) Any chance at all that Adam has a shot at it? I don't know what kind of voice is needed, and I gather everyone else has more legit voices, but Jack Noseworthy does look a little like Adam.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:20pm

We can hope! I have no idea what they'd be looking for, though.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:26pm

Me either. I've heard some of the music, but not enough to tell much. I never read the books either, but from what I gather Armand is the antagonist. Someone was saying he should be like Javert. I think Adam would make a great bad guy.

This is all wishful thinking though. I don't know how many times Bernie Taupin has said that it's not a rock opera, so they obviously want a more legit sound.

I hope no one thought I was implying Adam is not smart - I don't believe that at all.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 10:27pm

Well, he was the bad guy in Temptation...