JESSICA DaSILVA

Hours after my last interview at the internship fair, I checked my e-mail to find out that I had been accepted to The Fund for American Studies‘ Capital Semester on Political Journalism.

The program entails three political science classes at Georgetown University and an internship at one of 19 news companies, which include U.S. News and World Report and USA Today.

Honestly, as I went through the application process, I felt like I was completely underqualified for the program. I’m glad the Fund thought otherwise.

I desperately want to find a job where I can report on national politics in Washington, D.C., one day, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to test drive my (hopefully) future career. Naturally, I was overjoyed to find out I made it in. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to go.

The only problem with this literally dream-come-true opportunity is the fact that it costs about $11,000, and I need to deposit $750 by Nov. 8.

So far, I’ve talked to a professor in UF’s College of Journalism and Communications to see if she knows of any internal ways I can get funding. Upon her advice, I’ve decided to stop by the Knight Division later today to seek scholarship opportunities.

I’ve decided that if I can at least make half to three-fourths of the cost, I’ll take out a loan for the rest. After going to college for practically free, it would be totally worth it.

In the meantime, all I can really do is talk to friends and family for donations or donate blood plasma for $60 a bag.

I’m so desperate to attend this program, I would do almost anything. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

P.S. I was kidding about donating plasma.