<p>So, at 4:30 pm on the Monday of the second week of winter break, Son has started to work on his scholarship applications. Here is the first essay prompt he encountered:</p>
<p>Include a short essay of no more than 300-500 words assessing the importance of a college education in achieving your personal goals or personal circumstances which could hinder you from achieving your goals.</p>
<p>First, I think that whoever wrote the prompt needs to take a course to learn to write more clearly. Second, if a student chooses the first half of the prompt, it would be so hard to write anything original sounding. If the student chooses the second half of the prompt, wouldn't the student just sound defeatist? Do you really want to call attention to whatis wrong with you? "I have ADD so I make bad grades sometimes so I might not do well in college so please give me this schoarship." ???? </p>
<p>perhaps they want to familiarize the student with college essay assignments?
;)
but actually while the sentence does seem awkward, it also sounds standard.
It also seems similar to questions you might be asked during a job interview. I believe my daughter used similar prompts to bring up her ADD/LDs and then discuss what supports she found helped/needed.</p>
<p>Actually it's the "or" that makes it a bad prompt. It suggests there are two different questions to be addressed separately rather than together.</p>
<p>It definitely sounds like you're supposed to choose between the really boring option of restating the prompt about why education is important in fulfilling personal goals and the really depressing second option of honestly describing all the reasons you'll never amount to anything. It's quite a lot to combine in a bit over one double spaced page!</p>
<p>Muffy, that's exactly how I'm interpreting it. This school didn't require an essay to start out with, so I've challenged Son to turn his common app essay into an essay that answers the prompt.</p>
<p>while it may be easier to address a topic that has tight definitions- explaining why college is part of their plans should have been something the student has already thought about and discussed with friends/family.</p>
<p>It gives them an opportunity to stand out from the pack and show that they are prepared to utilize the resources available- not just fill time/seats.</p>
<p>I know admissions decisions are not always linked to aid decisions, but since colleges do use some of their own resources in dispensing aid, even if that is just handling loans/work study, it is logical that they want students who show a commitment to furthering their education.</p>
<p>However, recognizing that not all students graduate, a place to discuss more personal concerns is also relevant. Students may be having family/financial problems, they may have learning issues like my daughter, or applying to a school miles away from any friends family. Discussing these concerns does not mean that the student will automatically be denied. </p>
<p>On the contrary, I think showing awareness of issues that may arise, and what the student needs as a support to help deal with those conflcts, can show maturity and an ability to look ahead and make accommodations.</p>
<p>I suppose the scholarship topic could just be " why should we give you any money?"
Perhaps that is more straightforward?
;)</p>
<p>Maybe they aren't so dumb. If I had the assignment of evaluating hundreds of essays on the topic of "why a college education is important", I'd give the big money to anyone who could come up with anything that I hadn't read 1000 times before. Maybe they assign such a boring topic to see if anyone can come up with an original or interesting idea. (I personally can't think of anything.)</p>
<p>The topic actually favors Son, because he has Asperger's, thus something to write about for the second part. But I've never wanted his essays to be *about *Asperger's. Pity the normal B+ middle class student with no poverty or learning differences to write about.</p>