The application evaluation process didn’t start until after the new year, so extending the original deadline application further into December shouldn’t have any impact. As I stated nearly two months ago, I think they were woefully underprepared for having one phase instead of two this year. Even though there were fewer applicants, they had to fully go through and evaluate each application. Clearly, the process needs to be streamlined for next year.
@Nekozuki, I honestly don’t think they started when they were supposed because the original person I talked to told me they had just started reviewing applications at the end of February instead right after the application closed and were still reviewing during the beginning of April. My biggest question for them is why didn’t start when they were supposed to start looking at application so they would be out on time, but they won’t answer that and the original person I was talking to is no longer answering my emails and someone took over answering emails for him which seems even more suspicious like they are trying to hide that they didn’t do what they were supposed to.
The fact that these good people are making considerations (very carefully) regarding which of you gets this free money should increase your patience, not create a sense of criticizing them. Saying that they are trying to cover up laziness, or not starting “on time” is nonsense. How many of you have reviewed thousands of applications at one time in an attempt to hand out millions of dollars? What if the holdup was because they couldn’t decide between YOUR application and someone else’s? My advice here? Stop pretending you know how to do their job better, or that you even know how the process works. The Foundation isn’t a money-making scheme, they keep the overhead low in order to put more money into students’ pockets. I can’t imagine anyone getting huffy when someone is considering them for a lifechanging moment.
You’re correct in that delays happen and none of us can be sure what is happening behind closed doors. However, I don’t think it’s out of line or ungrateful to want some form of communication (or the FAQ to be updated) given the extreme delay. When it comes to placing deposits, finding housing, and signing year-long leases, I can understand why those relying on the outcome of the JKCF scholarship to make major life decisions are growing increasingly stressed and frustrated.
@greekgirl2005, I just think it makes the most sense to tell everyone that because people are starting to freak out and then maybe people wouldn’t keep asking the same thing. My thing is things started to feel strange for me because one person told me two weeks ago that they were still reviewing the applications and only just start reviewing at the end of February and then someone told me something completely different so the answers I am getting are starting to conflict. It was also help if they sent out a email stating notifications aren’t coming out until after May 1st because a lot of people have May 1st deposit deadline. For some people they are relaying on this site and other sites to help them, and for others they might not have the knowledge of these sites to help. The deadline for most of the schools I applied are next week so I am now trying to get extensions and some of the schools I applied to are either not letting me get an extension or saying wait until the day before so it’s stressing me out.
Bunch of whiners
@greekgirl2005 Thanks for the advice because you’re right, they honestly don’t owe me a darn thing and I’ll be lucky if they choose me, whether it’s “on time” or “past due.” Thanks for putting that into perspective for me.
@greekgirl2005, when does your semester end? It seems like everyone’s ends at a different time. Also can I ask your what the difference between Comparative Religious Studies and Religious Studies? A friend of mine’s sister took a lot of classes at her school in Religious Studies so it would be interesting knowing the difference. Sorry, if you felt that I was complaining about the foundation earlier. I am just annoyed with the school that I am supposed to be attending because they gave me fifteen extra days from today to get my deposit in and I was originally supposed to transfer last year, but things came up in the family so the transfer process is starting to get to me.
@greekgirl2005 - You go! Someone needed to put things in perspective. I am sure they are being extremely studious and making sure that the scholarships go to the absolute best candidates. This cannot be an easy undertaking when you have 2600 qualified and deserving candidates, but can only award scholarships to 3% of them. Come on y’all, we should be grateful that they are even looking at our applications.
@greekgirl2005 It is true that they are doing their best but communication is vital at this time, considering that this is an organization which is so concern with our future and also knowing that many of us have to make certain admission decisions depending on whether we win this scholarship or not, it is helpful to get informed, I don’t think any one on this forum is saying that the foundation is “lazy” or doing anything wrong, people are simply saying that there should be some communication. I know from you post in last year’s forum that, people like you did not worry much about delays in announcing winners because you were already having enough money to attend your college of choice, to most of us on this forum the story is different.
The way I have always looked at these things is that potential money in the future is as good as no money at all, so I make preparations as if I will never see that money. Then if it comes, I am wonderfully surprised and fortunately over-prepared. Also, it is very important to note that this scholarship is not a $40,000 check that gets cut to you every year just because you won the scholarship. It is up to $40k per year, and they expect the recipients to exhaust all other sources of funding i.e. other scholarships and grants offered by your university and other sources. This means we should all be applying for as much financial aide as possible, and doing so with as much care and effort as we put into our studies. The JKC scholarship is not a overall substitute for other forms of paying for school. I for one will be going to school with or without the scholarship. It just means that if I don’t get the scholarship I will be taking on a hefty total in student loans. Academic excellence doesn’t guarantee a free ride. It doesn’t guarantee anything.
That is true
I can see both sides. Maybe someone is debating between a local state university that would be close to free compared to an out of state, prestigious one where they would be required to take out loans if they went to it. Jack Kent Cooke is probably overwhelmed with all of the talented applicants that they received this year, and it sucks that they are in this position. I agree with cmbradley2015 
@nekozuki I don’t see that there’s been an “extreme” delay. The Undergraduate Transfer scholarship is not the only one they have been working on. The have an incredible workload. @adorse26 They must receive thousands of emails per day asking various questions, the more students email, the less work can be done. My semester ends may 7th, and Comparative Religion is the sociocultural study of all religions in historical context. Usually for those not planning to enter seminary or divinity school (don’t plan to be a minister). @kpcosmic exactly…they don’t owe us a single thing. @cmbradley2015 Good advice! Get your affairs in order with or without the JKC, there are local schools which will offer full rides because of your grades…you can always transfer to your dream school the following semester if you win.
@geekgirl2005 I know this scholarship is not a check written in your name, but I was wondering would they cover room and board at the dorms or off campus apartments through the school?
@greekgirl2005, what do you want to do with your degree? Something with what @greekgirl2005 and @cmbradley2015 has anyone tried getting a re-evaluation of their financial aid. The school I am trying to attend told me to write them a letter, send it them, and they would try to see if they could give me more financial aid. I am just trying to find the correct address to send the letter to them. Most schools are willing to work with you if you really want to attend that school. And I don’t think it will hurt you to get you financial aid looked at again because from what I was told they will only raise your financial aid or keep it the same so it’s not likely they will take something away. I am not saying every school will be willing to do this, but most will.
Someone at my school won today!
Yay the time has come! Can’t wait to hear if anyone on this thread got it! How did you find out?
@FamilyCounciling Yes, it covers your room and board, on or off campus. @adorse26 I plan to teach and open a nonprofit to educate people on cultural and religious differences.
@kpcosmic Did they announce it at your school?