I just finished reading applications for a small scholarship offered by a civic service organization. The group’s goal is to identify top-ranked students who are planning to “give back” to others in exchange for the privileges of education that they have received. Here are some of the things I wish the applicants had NOT said: What is your long-term career goal? • To get a good job that will pay me lots of money. • To become famous. • I’m impressed with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. i would like to establish and run an organization like that. • I’m going to be the top student at my university and let them pay for my Master’s and Doctor’s degrees. • I want to study something i will enjoy but I don’t know what that is yet. • I want to go some place better than this town. How would receiving this scholarship help your educational plans? • It would mean I wouldn’t have to work so hard. • College is really expensive and I have no way to pay for any of it unless I get this scholarship. • It would mean that I could graduate from college without having any debts. • I could go to a top-rated university instead of the little school near home. • If I get this scholarship I can save all my own money for my own family some day. What service activities have you participated in outside of school? • Nothing. I’m a diligent student and spend all my time studying. • I spend 40 hours a week doing good works for my church. • I take care of two children for a wealthy family and plan and supervise all their activities during the school year and during vacation time, too. • See attached 3 pages. Thank you. NEXT? |
