<p>I got this letter in the mail the other day:</p>
<p>*Dear Richard C--------,</p>
<p>Elder & Leemaur Publishers would like to congratulate you on being selected as a featured author in our upcoming edition of "Authors of Tomorrow." The essay you wrote on "The University or College of my Choice" was among the top 3% of over 5000 essays submitted. Being selected is quite an accomplishment.</p>
<p>The book "Authors of Tomorrow" will contain essays from other students across North America on the following 4 subjects:</p>
<p>-"The Country with the Greatest Economic Growth"
-"The Successor to Kofi Annan"
-"The University or College of my Choice"
-"The Best Website on the Internet"</p>
<p>Your essay will now be reviewed by our panel of judges in late February 2007 to determine which students will be awarded scholarships. Distribution of all scholarship money will commence the first week of March 2007.*</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone really knew anything about this... Like, if it's kind of bogus (anyone with half a brain could get it) or if it carries any sort of weight? Should I bother informing any colleges about it?</p>
<p>Thanks to anyone who can provide some insight.</p>
<p>I haven't heard of it specifically, but I've heard of similar books. Is this something you weren't aware of? It says it includes scholarship money. Did you apply for something? If not, a phone call should clear up exactly what is going on.</p>
<p>If at that point it seems legit (and I would have your parents ask them questions, too), then yes, go ahead and notify. Schools should always be notified of competitive scholarships and publications, and this seems to be both.</p>
<p>I applied for the scholarship and received the same letter (except with different dates and categories). Less than 10 people actually win the money ($1,000?). I don't know if the competition or letter is real, but I put it on my college apps anyway.</p>
<p>Hmmmm....I just sent in an app for this as well. It really looks like BS to me though:
1) Who has heard of Elder and Leemaur???? I have never even seen this publishing company mentioned anywhere (of course, I'm not a publishing company fanatic;)
2) Too many ads on their website
3) Their website is basically "dedicated" to these scholarship thingies; as in, the commercial part is practically nonexistent.
On the other hand, their scholarship is listed everywhere, i.e. on all sorts of educational websites, but it's still rather sketchy.</p>
<p>Of course, if you (or I) win(s), it'll still be really nice :) </p>
<p>This is completely legit. You send in your form only to grant consent to the publishers that they can print your work. I recieved this and went through the process, and was a bit sketchy about it myself. The only thing you have to pay for, if you so choose, is a copy of the book that you are being published in. It’s well worth it, as I have a copy and love it!</p>
<p>Astounding – has one post, and it’s to praise some organization that no one has ever heard of except the people who get its solicitations. I bet that Astounding works for the publishers. Think about it: Except for their parents, who’d really enjoy reading essays by high school students on those topics?</p>
<p>While you’re at it, astounding, maybe you can also share your insight about making $100K/yr selling CUTCO cutting knives part-time in the summer in my local ghetto from the Vendco company. What opportunities us high-achievers are presented with!!!</p>