Meet Scholarships.com's Virtual Interns: Casandra Pagni

May 17, 2011
by Casandra Pagn
At 18, I was going to be a lawyer. I had the next four years of my life planned out well. I was to attend the University of Michigan, double major in political science and economics, take the LSAT, attend law school, pass the bar and go from there. I even got into arguments with my older brothers when they told me to be open-minded as I left for school. But life took a few turns — some of them sharp — between then and now.

At 18, I was going to be a lawyer. I had the next four years of my life planned out well. I was to attend the University of Michigan, double major in political science and economics, take the LSAT, attend law school, pass the bar and go from there. I even got into arguments with my older brothers when they told me to be open-minded as I left for school. But life took a few turns — some of them sharp — between then and now.

I chose Michigan for its large campus, student diversity, and rigor in academic disciplines. Okay...I confess. At 18, I chose Michigan because of the Big Ten sports. I was ready to see national championships first hand. But as my sports expectations came crashing down, the other things that Michigan offered began to shine. I joined a sorority. I played intramural sports. I went to concerts, saw the Dalai Lama and wrote for the campus newspaper. I followed the hockey team to the Frozen Four. Oh yeah, and I studied, too! I took and enjoyed classes with incredibly passionate professors.

I can't pinpoint the exact moment I knew I was going to become a teacher, but the person I became at Michigan is a more relaxed and open-minded version of the 18-year old aspiring lawyer I once was. I am now the ecstatic recipient of a degree in English and a high school teaching certificate. I am also committed to writing whenever and wherever I can and to making real changes in the way writing is taught today.

As a recent college graduate smack-dab in the middle of a job search, I plan to combine my passion for writing with my absolute love for the college years to bring you weekly posts with tried and true advice, honest perspective and a little bit of humor along the way. As a Scholarships.com virtual intern, I'll be looking back while looking ahead.

College is expensive, Scholarships.com is completely free. Pay for your college education with as much free college scholarship money as possible. By applying to all the awards you qualify for, you can be sure to not miss a single opportunity in paying for your college expenses - including tuition, fees, room and board. Get matched to college scholarships instantly and start applying today by conducting a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.

Posted Under : College Classes , College Culture , College Life , College Majors , College Search , Graduate School , High School , Internships , Sports , Standardized Testing , Virtual Intern
Tags: Campus Life , College Classes , College Culture , College Goals , College Life , College Majors , Education , Internships , Job Search , LSAT , Sports , Student Life , Teachers

Discuss

Share your thoughts and perhaps thousands of students will benefit from your unique insight on the subject!



If you can read this, don't touch the following fields


 
Higher education has long been seen as a pillar in American life, as an essential element of our economic system and society. But the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the underlying health conditions of this cultural institution. Many colleges and universities have been struggling to meet the needs of students while also keeping themselves above water financially. While we hope that our lives will return to normal when this crisis is over, it is hard to imagine that higher education will ever be the same.

Coronavirus Puts Higher Education in Perilous Position

April 7, 2020 2:43 PM
by Izzy Hall
Higher education has long been seen as a pillar in American life, as an essential element of our economic system and society. But the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the underlying health
Just as schools have closed their doors due to coronavirus, charities and non-profit organizations have had to shutter down. While they might suspend board meetings, community fundraisers or award ceremonies, chances are they haven't shut down their scholarship offerings - in fact, many non-profits have extended their scholarship application windows from mid- or late March into April, May or even June. If you've been applying for scholarships this spring and missed out on some March or early April deadlines, check your account - you may find that some scholarships have had their due dates pushed back, giving you more time to submit an application.

Scholarship Deadlines Extended Due to COVID-19

April 2, 2020 1:16 PM
by Izzy Hall
Just as schools have closed their doors due to coronavirus, charities and non-profit organizations have had to shutter down. While they might suspend board meetings, community fundraisers or award
From student loans to college athletics, Scholarships.com is keeping you updated on all of the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on high school and higher education. If you're tired of reading about COVID-19, take a break by checking out your latest scholarship matches and earning money for college here.

Coronavirus News Update for Students, Families, Colleges

March 31, 2020 3:27 PM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
From student loans to college athletics, Scholarships.com is keeping you updated on all of the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on high school and higher education. If
As a high school student in the midst of the standardized testing season and living through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering what the future holds for standardized test scores, AP courses, and the college admissions process. A recent survey conducted by The College Board revealed than 91 percent of 18,000 polled enrollees still want to take their AP tests. In fact, in 900 pages of comments responding to the AP survey, AP students begged to be allowed at least one championship bout with an AP test.

Coronavirus Impact on SAT, ACT, and AP Testing

March 26, 2020 2:56 PM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
As a high school student in the midst of the standardized testing season and living through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering what the future holds for standardized test scores, AP courses,
Negotiations and proposals for an economic stimulus package are being mulled over by lawmakers, ones that will ultimately affect school and education funding. Currently, student-loan borrowers are able enter forbearance on their student loans for 60 days without accruing interest. The U.S. Department of Education will also suspend student loan payments by borrowers who are over 31 days delinquent. The White House has already announced that it will waive the interest on federal student loan payments. Here are some of the recent developments in proposed relief for students, colleges and universities as part of the COVID-19 stimulus plan:

Coronavirus Stimulus Package: Higher Ed Edition

March 24, 2020 11:51 AM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
Negotiations and proposals for an economic stimulus package are being mulled over by lawmakers, ones that will ultimately affect school and education funding. Currently, student-loan borrowers are
There's no better time to apply for scholarships than when you aren't inundated with school, athletic and other responsibilities. That means that this upcoming spring break is probably your best opportunity at applying for and winning scholarships!

Scholarships to Apply for Over Spring Break

March 10, 2020 2:45 PM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
There's no better time to apply for scholarships than when you aren't inundated with school, athletic and other responsibilities. That means that this upcoming spring break is probably your best
What's at the end of the rainbow? These March 2020 scholarships. We're adding more green to your college financial aid package this month - lucky you! Start off by browsing through our featured list of popular March scholarships or by completing a free profile to get instantly matched to opportunities for which you qualify. Either way, it's bound to be your lucky day!

Get Lucky with March 2020 Scholarships

March 6, 2020 1:24 PM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
What's at the end of the rainbow? These March 2020 scholarships. We're adding more green to your college financial aid package this month - lucky you! Start off by browsing through our featured list
As part of Financial Awareness Month this February, Scholarships.com is bringing you a list of the most common FAFSA mistakes made in hopes that you will avoid them as your file your FAFSA. If you intend on attending college between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, we encourage you to fill out your FAFSA – ASAP. Here are some common FAFSA mistakes to avoid:

Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

February 26, 2020 12:34 PM
by Susan Dutca-Lovell
As part of Financial Awareness Month this February, Scholarships.com is bringing you a list of the most common FAFSA mistakes made in hopes that you will avoid them as your file your FAFSA. If you