Ben turned down a total of $9K in scholarship money when he wrote to the University of Alberta and the University of BC to inform them that he was not accepting their offers. We turned down a life we knew, in cities we knew, with a school system we knew, jobs we knew and a system of commerce we knew all for the possibility of something greater. In a generation when holding out for the million is a far too familiar concept we find ourselves in a real life game of strategy, risk and reward.
I love playing games…strategic games. We have a friend who is our games “dealer”. He is always introducing us to new games and they all have something in common. No matter how much skill or strategy is required there is always an element of luck. This is just one more way that I feel like life is a game. We are dealt our hand, we roll our dice and move our spaces. Sometimes the cards are kind (opportunity, children, free parking) and sometimes we get sent to jail….or face infertility, or a marital breakdown, or a job loss. Your turn comes and you make your play. It may pan out, or you could land on bankruptcy and all would be lost
Ben and I are here – cards in hand. So far the game has been…good (I say with a hesitant tilt of the head). We have definitely been dealt some surprising cards which did not play into our strategy and now we have made our play, using our only trump card. Now…will luck be a lady?
Three conditions accompany Ben’s offer from Cambridge.
Financial undertaking: in terms of acceptance this is simply a declaration that we understand that we are financially responsible for all costs of studying (tuition, fees, living expenses, etc.) That being said, in order to apply for a visa, we must have proof from our financial institution that we have the funds to cover the above costs. The funds must be in our account for 28 consecutive days before application or we must have a letter from the bank stating that we have the funds available via LOC or loan. Did I mention that we need $55K CDN?
Criminal Record Check: Let’s hope there is nothing to worry about, because if there is, I don’t know about it.
And COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE: I have seen on the website where it says that with acceptance to the University you are guaranteed a place at college however, they stress that without college acceptance, you cannot come to Cambridge.
And it is not until all conditions are met that you receive confirmation of acceptance, which is also needed for visa application.
So, where does luck play in…it always does. It just always does. His acceptance to a college will be affected, albeit not solely dependant on luck. From what I have read and heard, colleges have a certain quota of different types of students that they must enrol. Many of them require a variety of students in different programs, of different nationalities and they must have a determined amount of singles versus families. If they have an excess of music students, they will be more incline to grant acceptance to other programs. If Ben is unsuccessful at his two preference colleges (specified on his application) a college will be chosen at random. If he is unsuccessful at that college, another will be chosen, again at random.
I am reminded of a plaque that is in my grandmother’s house: He who expects nothing, shall never be disappointed. And while I know this is a completely depressing way to live how many of us freely take a chance on every exciting opportunity that comes our way. Be honest with yourself? What kind of player are you in this game of life? Do you bunt toward 3rd for the base steal or do you go for the grand slam? Do you go all in? Or walk away with your modest winnings? As a card player, I tend to play it moderately safe, whereas Ben likes to shoot the moon. In life, we have lived oppositely and while I have been known to fly solo to third world countries before I was even considered a teenager, Ben has played it safe and stuck close to home….(well, before he met me). But the tables have now turned and wonder why we seem to be the only ones taking risks and giving it all up (friends, financial security, a “home”) – all for a chance at the million. For the first time in my life I find myself reigning in my embrace and taking cautious baby steps towards our goal.
There is a long way to go.
 |
| Photo By Ross Kendall |
Leave A Reply