I want all these young people to be getting a higher education, and I don’t want them loaded up with tens of thousands of dollars of debt just to get an education. That’s how we make America great.

Of course, that means all of you all have got to hit the books. I’m just saying. Don’t cheer and then you didn’t do your homework.

Because that’s part of the bargain—America says we will give you opportunity, but you’ve got to earn your success.

You’re competing against young people in Beijing and Bangalore. They’re not hanging out. They’re not playing video games. They’re not watching “Real Housewives.” I’m just saying. It’s a two-way street. You’ve got to earn success.

That wasn’t in my prepared remarks. But I’m just saying.
President Obama today, keeping it real (via barackobama)
For the first eight years of our marriage, [Michelle and I] were paying more in student loans than what we were paying for our mortgage. So we know what this is about.

And we were lucky to land good jobs with a steady income. But we only finished paying off our student loans—check this out, all right, I’m the President of the United States—we only finished paying off our student loans about eight years ago.
President Obama in North Carolina today on why Congress has to act to prevent interest rates on student loans from doubling (via barackobama)

Harvard Interview…

Well since quite a few people have asked me how my Harvard interview went, I’ll just write about it here for everyone to see.

Overall, I think it was average. I don’t think the interviewer was particularly impressed with me but we had a nice conversation. It only lasted about half an hour but it was good to get to know him and what he thought about Harvard and see his perspective.

We talked about everything from the Harvard Marching Band (which he compared to the Stanford Marching Band… sorry Mrs. Royer!), to what he thought people needed to do to get in nowadays. He thinks that he might not get in if he applied now rather than 25 years or so ago. He also said that he only interviews about four or five people a year. The only person he interviewed that got in was a girl who had discovered some genetic mutation, published an article about it in a medical journal, and is currently changing modern medicine. =/ How is almost anyone supposed to compete with that???

I was definitely nervous going in but coming out of the interview, I was much more relaxed. Just like everyone said, it’s really just a conversation and they learn about you and your personality and you learn about them. It was a good experience.

I’m glad I did the interview but I’m also frustrated. I’ve done so much to get into Harvard and the likelihood of me getting in is close to none. I’m not sure what to think. I guess we’ll find out in a few months… 

…..

My Harvard interview is officially scheduled for next Thursday at 4:30 =O. I just got really nervous. 

Apparently the interview is between 45 minutes and an hour. I just don’t know what they still want to know about me after all of my essays! Besides filling out the form, I don’t know how to prepare. =/ I don’t know if it’s casual or formal. (From what I’ve heard it sounds “casualish.”) Any suggestions or helpful hints? Has anyone had a college interview before?

Keeping College Students From the Polls - NYTimes.com

Republicans are trying to keep students from the polls because students tend to vote liberal… that is absolutely appalling. Give me a break. Students tend to vote liberal because that’s the way they believe. Every citizen (with a few limited exceptions) has the right to vote in this country. Don’t attempt to take that away. 

thenewrepublic: Occupy the universities? With the costs of a college education astonishingly high and youth job prospects incredibly dim in this economy, is going to college worth it anymore? “The students in Zuccotti Park are right to focus on the injustices of student debt: Many of them are indentured to the very banks that destroyed the economy and along with it the jobs students need to pay their loans back. The banks were bailed out for their trouble, while students are left with debt that, thanks to financial industry lobbying, can’t be discharged in bankruptcy. Outstanding student loans in the United States are projected to reach $1 trillion this year, a larger sum than credit card debt.” - Kevin Carey “Why Obama Should Pay Attention To Occupy Wall Street’s Critique of Higher Education” Photo courtesy of Andy Wibbels.
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thenewrepublic:

Occupy the universities?

With the costs of a college education astonishingly high and youth job prospects incredibly dim in this economy, is going to college worth it anymore?

“The students in Zuccotti Park are right to focus on the injustices of student debt: Many of them are indentured to the very banks that destroyed the economy and along with it the jobs students need to pay their loans back. The banks were bailed out for their trouble, while students are left with debt that, thanks to financial industry lobbying, can’t be discharged in bankruptcy. Outstanding student loans in the United States are projected to reach $1 trillion this year, a larger sum than credit card debt.”

- Kevin Carey “Why Obama Should Pay Attention To Occupy Wall Street’s Critique of Higher Education”

Photo courtesy of Andy Wibbels.

(via liberalsarecool)

Source: thenewrepublic

Q:hey matt, found you through your friend's hogwarts letter (which was absurdly cute). i got rejected from stanford early too. it's tough shit, and i'm sorry that you have to deal with it. it's definitely a hard time and not the best thing to hear. that being said, i'm at a school in new york city now, and i can't imagine being anywhere else. you'll find a place that works for you. (1/2)

juliolovesyou

… (continued from above message)

(2/2) you said in your other post that not getting into stanford changed your life, and i know how it feels to build up what you think is real and likely to have it fall apart after one email. but don’t let that change your life. empower yourself - you have the power to change your own life. i know it sounds like bs, but this is really an opportunity to imagine other things for yourself. you seem like a great person. i’ve been where you are, and trust me, it’ll get better. stay strong dude

Thanks! I know that I have to move on and that Stanford was just one way of getting to my ultimate goals. I know I will find a school that is right for me. Thanks for the support!

Q:You're such an inspiration, you're incredibly smart, and you're an amazing leader. I'm really surprised you didn't make it but I'm so proud you're taking the news in such a positive way :) I know that, where ever you end up attending college, you'll be insanely successful and achieve all your dreams. Good luck!

Anonymous

Thanks! This really means a lot to me! Everyone’s generous comments and thoughts have really made my day. Thank you!