"Miracles Do Exist Out There. You Just Gotta Keep Trying Each Day."

Brian Rogers of CSU Long Beach on President's Scholarship

Jul 22, 2024

Brian Rogers graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Honors Program at California State University Long Beach (CSULB).

When Brian was applying for college, he wanted the option that allowed him to get out of college debt free.

I talked to him recently on my podcast.

Here is an excerpted and edited version of my conversation with Brian about Scholarships.

1.Applying for Local Scholarships

Brian: I really suggest for high school seniors apply that every type of scholarship you can, during Fall semester:

The local scholarships are your big game;
Because the big national scholarships, they're harder to hit, because there's probably hundreds of 1000s of applicants,
But your local scholarships, those are pretty easy to get because the applicant pools a lot less.
So, a lot of times like the libraries surrounding your school might have some for college seniors.

And then in the spring, you get if you are selected, you'll receive your scholarship.

And so I applied during my high school senior year to all the local and a few the national ones.

And when it came around to the spring, I actually got a lot of the high school scholarships, which was amazing.
I put all the effort and time into it,
And I was able to get a pretty big chunk of money to help with my college expenses.

2.Applying for CSULB President’s Scholarship

Brian: At times, we might think, Oh, we're only one person, you know, like, should I really put in this scholarship application?

Is it worth it?
Is it worth that extra effort?
I don't know if I'll be the top candidate.

And a lot of times you'll have those doubts, but just go with it. There's no harm in trying.

So, I put in my CSULB President’s Scholarship application.

I revised my essay a few times.
I ran it by teachers and by anyone I could think of in order to see how they liked it.
And so I could get all the edits and try making it the best I could get.

I was initially waitlisted for the scholarship.

3.Getting the CSULB President’s Scholarship

Brian: And I got so lucky because then I got taken off the waitlist and CSULB offered me the President's Scholarship.

CSULB called me and I recorded it so it's still on my phone when I got the actual announcement.
So I will say that was amazing.
That was probably the biggest life changer I've ever had,
It alleviated so much stress off my family, and
I can't even imagine where I'd be without it!
And I really feel that was probably one of the happiest moments of my life and will forever be.
I was so happy, that from car, I called one of my favorite teachers in high school to thank them.

I was just overwhelmed. I couldn't believe I actually got it.

4.Gamechanger

Brian: The President’s Scholarship just unlocked so many opportunities.

Wow! To be one of 30 kids out of 40,000 students in the college to get one of the most academic and prestigious CSULB scholarships.
It's crazy to think that you're able to get to that level anyone would die for, or wish to be there.
So that was really cool!

I think that just showed how much time and effort I put in, and the perseverance I had.

I can't believe I got here.
I could never see myself like back then if you asked me if I would get a full ride and be totally set for college, I would say no way.
That's not happening. And then it happens!

And it's just, we’ve got to know that miracles do exist out there. And you just gotta keep trying each day.

5.On with the Podcast

Brian joins our podcast to share his undergraduate college journey at the Honors Program CSU Long Beach, The Presidential Scholarship, Transition to College, Internship, EE Major, and Advice for High Schoolers.

Listen to the Podcast with Brian Rogers of the CSU Long Beach Honors Program. (68-Minute Listen).

Hope you find the stories and articles in the Newsletter inspiring and helpful. Please give me feedback or leave a comment to let me how I am doing.

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