<p>Why can’t white kids be eligible for this? If they are the same as the minorities economically, why would it be wrong to give the money to a white kid? Isn’t this only feeding reverse-racism?</p>
<p>Mike, this is not a government sponsored, taxpayer funded program. Gates Foundation is free to distribute their money however they like. Just as the American Legion, Toyota, Best Buy, and thousands of other scholarship sponsors set their own criteria, Gates does as well. They do contribute to many organizations that benefit caucasians as well. They apparently saw a need for more minority scholarships and chose to fill it. Perhaps the intent was to level the playing field a bit by restricting the applicant pool to traditionally underrepresented minorities or perhaps it’s because there are many 1st generation Americans whose parents haven’t had the opportunities that multi-generation Americans have. That isn’t racism, that’s philanthropy.</p>
<p>@BeautifulNerd219 - yup that’ll work.</p>
<p>@12layla12 - i’m a gates scholar and i just finished up my first year at usc
fight on!</p>
<p>I’m a 2009 Gates Scholar and I am willing to help any one interested in applying. I started my essays when I was a freshman but really got to editing them the summer before my senior year. I submitted when the application opened so I was just waiting for my nominator and recommender. Just remember the three things they look for Scholarship, Service and Leadership. Do your best on the astrisked areas, this is what they review. Congrats to other fellow 2009 Gates Scholars, hope to see you at the Conference and best wishes to prospective scholars!</p>
<p>theres no such thing as reverse racism. actions against any person based off the color of their skin is discrimination. ANY person…</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s just Pacific Islanders. I’m Asian American and I entered the Gates scholarship, reached the second round before getting shot down because I didn’t meet the income requirements.</p>