By SARAH DEAN
Staff Writer
Three seniors – Tyler Paige of Millstone and Erin McFadden and Steph Harrold of Wall – have received offers of full scholarships to their prospective schools.
Paige won acceptance into Cooper Union, a private art school that completely pays for all of their students’ tuition.
“Because it only accepts 60 students per year, they can afford to give all of the students scholarships,” said Paige. “Every student who gets into Cooper gets their entire tuition paid for all four years.”
Acceptance into this elite school does not come easily.
Paige describes the application process as “one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.” He had to submit a sketchbook, a portfolio and a home test that consisted of six prompts.
All of that hard work seems to have paid off for Paige.
“I’m a weird mix of happy anxious, and completely freaked out when I think about actually attending there,” Paige said. “It’s such an honor to be accepted, but going there means I will be held to a higher standard, which is scary.”
McFadden received schol-arships that greatly impacted her college decision.
She received two presidential scholarships from Rutgers University, one from the School of Arts and Sciences and one from
Mason Gross School of the Arts, for her double major in photography and English.
Although Rutgers was not her first choice school, McFadden took her time to consider the opportunity that the scholarship offered. “I was really conflicted when I found out about the first one, because it makes my college decision significantly harder,” McFadden said.
“Up until that point, Fordham College at Lincoln center was my first choice school, but I’m the oldest of three kids and taking this scholarship would make things a lot easier on my parents. Not to mention how awesome it would be to graduate and not be thousands of dollars in debt,” McFadden said.
Harrold also received a special scholarship that will significantly alleviate the high cost of college tuition for her and her family. She received the Presidential Award from Virginia Commonwealth University, which provides her with a full ride.
“It’s the most money I could have hoped to receive from VCU,” Harrold said. “I’m thrilled about the situation.”
Editor’s Note: Just before press time senior Amanda Zukofski of Freehold also won acceptance to Cooper Union.