Comments on: Scholarship Screwup #1: Thrust Your Religion and Politics Upon Me

By: Valerie

Valerie — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:47:03 +0000

Really? Losing my religion … (sarcasm is so hard to convey in cyber-land)
I worked in a scholarship office at community college and I have read some amazing g-a-r-b-a-g-e that people spew into personal statements. Lame. Sometimes they are given the $$ for lack of competition. BEST STORY EVER– 2 letters of recommendation – student got one letter and put 2 copies of it in the package!
Unless applying for a religious based scholarship that asks the questions- mind your own business and don’t spread your business – it would be like telling the scholarship committee your favorite position during sex. Unnecessary
- but hey score other points and tell them you are strong in your faith and volunteer at your local place of worship — see look no direct conflict there.

By: Landen

Landen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:21:01 +0000

I actually just flipped through all the advice because it all looked good, and, well, Josh’s replies are hilarious. Mostly because people have tempers and don’t think before they speak and he toys with them. But anyways, thanks for the advice. Even if it pisses me off as well, I know that I need it.
P.S. da speling of sum ppl on dis forumm….wow! i hop u didnt rite like that on ur aplicashun. actually i hope you did becuz then i stand a beter chance duh

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:04:11 +0000

So really all this scholarship is asking of its applicants is that we be unoriginal and not be too passionate about issues. Talk about how we can turn the lights off when not in the room to conserve energy. Or how we can donate our money to Haiti or our time to some local charity or volunteer position of some sort. Maybe wash our hands for 20 seconds in warm soapy water to prevent the next pandemic that kills fewer people than the seasonal flu. Just so long as we don’t make people feel uncomfortable about where they stand in important issues or make them question themselves or God forbid: think. My bad.

By: KiKi

KiKi — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:07:31 +0000

Ok. Thanks for the tips!

By: Josh Barsch

Josh Barsch — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:06:03 +0000

Hi, KiKi. Sure, I think that’s fine. Even though you say it’s controversial in your area, with the above tip I really refer more to universally controversial issues — ones that won’t be over and done with a year or so from now, I mean. In addition, I think your interest in a hot local issue may show reveal in you a connection to your community that’s deeper than that of many of your peers, which would also work in your favor. So, I say go for it, and good luck!

Josh

By: KiKi

KiKi — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:56:37 +0000

What if you approach a controversial issue from a “middle-road” perspective? In my county, the new school board majority wants to discontinue the diversity policy and in my essay I am writing about it. However, after reading your emails, I decided to take a “middle-road” approach, explaining both sides of the issue and bringing up an anecdote about how I have been on both sides of the spectrum. Would this still limit my chances of winning scholarships? Please respond, its due January 4

By: missd

missd — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:11:52 +0000

i didnt even write about politics or religion wtf so why would they send me the email

By: Idih sunday

Idih sunday — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:47:52 +0000

Thank you for your concern and advice. I love politics because polics is not game but the exist to resulve the problem of the lager society, and want to drink of it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:32:28 +0000

I’m puzzled. I didn’t write an essay based on politics or religion and I’m getting an email like this one. It baffles me, but I’ll attempt to keep an open mind and listen to what you have to say in the future. After all, you are a judge.

By: Mustafa

Mustafa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:59:15 +0000

Good I think we need to live with each other regardless all differances
thank you very much