Comments on: Scholarship Screwup #6: Forget About Family http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/ Renegade Advice About Scholarships, Financial Aid, College & Jobs (formerly GiveMeScholarships.com) Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:19:59 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Schandra Madha http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-6784 Schandra Madha Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:51:44 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-6784 Thank you so much for these pointers. They're fantastic. The only thing is... I already do all these things in my application essays that you're saying to do. No kidding. I really do. I've applied to maybe 30 scholarships in the last 3 years or so and haven't won a single award. Not even a consolation prize. I actually have real hardships (mostly related to my medical condition and my family), huge responsibilities in my household, extra-curricular activities from high school and even outside of high school (volunteering at animal shelters, nature preserves, campaign offices, Goodwill, etc.) I talk about specifically what I want to do in life with my education. I mention how I want to be an ambassador with my Astronomy degree and study with scientists from around the world, building bridges through science that will facilitate peace. I talk about my wish to join the Peace Corp and the Wolf Program in the course of my life. I talk about my People to People Student Ambassador trip to Europe. I mention my work experience and how I saved all through high school and worked in the summers to help my family. I've got a pretty high SAT and ACT score and my GPA wasn't that bad in high school (I was about top 30%). It would have been better if it wasn't for the complications with my health and family that I detail in my essays. I'm a National AP Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, and I was in National Honor Society. And yet, still nothing. I thought I was doing something wrong until I started reading these Scholarship Screwups. Now it seems I've been doing everything right according to you. The only award I have been given was from my university, an academic competiveness grant, that has barely put a dent in my costs. I'm monumentally confused. Please help. Thank you so much for these pointers. They’re fantastic. The only thing is… I already do all these things in my application essays that you’re saying to do. No kidding. I really do. I’ve applied to maybe 30 scholarships in the last 3 years or so and haven’t won a single award. Not even a consolation prize. I actually have real hardships (mostly related to my medical condition and my family), huge responsibilities in my household, extra-curricular activities from high school and even outside of high school (volunteering at animal shelters, nature preserves, campaign offices, Goodwill, etc.) I talk about specifically what I want to do in life with my education. I mention how I want to be an ambassador with my Astronomy degree and study with scientists from around the world, building bridges through science that will facilitate peace. I talk about my wish to join the Peace Corp and the Wolf Program in the course of my life. I talk about my People to People Student Ambassador trip to Europe. I mention my work experience and how I saved all through high school and worked in the summers to help my family. I’ve got a pretty high SAT and ACT score and my GPA wasn’t that bad in high school (I was about top 30%). It would have been better if it wasn’t for the complications with my health and family that I detail in my essays. I’m a National AP Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, and I was in National Honor Society. And yet, still nothing. I thought I was doing something wrong until I started reading these Scholarship Screwups. Now it seems I’ve been doing everything right according to you. The only award I have been given was from my university, an academic competiveness grant, that has barely put a dent in my costs. I’m monumentally confused. Please help.

]]> By: Awadallah http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3666 Awadallah Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:57:30 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3666 hello josh : thank you for your advice and really I understand what's your points . I agree with you on this one... hello josh : thank you for your advice and really I understand what’s your points . I agree with you on this one…

]]> By: Mosisa http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3665 Mosisa Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:22:21 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3665 I reall want to thank you for the advice that also a responsibility in the family is also very important. I would like to give all the credit to how I have successfully recovered from a not so wholesome family life to my immediate family members, and then some (assuming this is what we think of family when we talk about “family,”) but this honestly has not been the case for me. To make a long story short, I’ve lived with at least six different family members from my biological father’s side of the family by the time I reached 16years old, that my immediate family life relationships was anything but smooth, “normal” (in the normal and general sense of what a “normal” family is supposed to be) and, supportive, unfortunately, to honestly say. This is not to say that I was totally abused or neglected by my immediate family. Also, I am not putting blame on any of my family members for the problems that we may have had, either those of which we were aware of, but did not know what to do about them to resolve the issue for whatever reason, or those problems that existed which may be even a part of the day to day daily stresses of living that can cause such family problems in any family unit, whether a healthy and happy one or not, and those somewhere in between. Perhaps this is because I had a step-parent, where there were some awkwardness in the beginning of our relationship to say the least, which therefore provided the preliminary groundwork for the future problems that were not foreseen or predictable at the time, to no one’s fault or even responsibility, now that I look back at my life, where I had a step-parent from the time I was seven years old, and am now middle-aged. I reall want to thank you for the advice that also a responsibility in the family is also very important. I would like to give all the credit to how I have successfully recovered from a not so wholesome family life to my immediate family members, and then some (assuming this is what we think of family when we talk about “family,”) but this honestly has not been the case for me. To make a long story short, I’ve lived with at least six different family members from my biological father’s side of the family by the time I reached 16years old, that my immediate family life relationships was anything but smooth, “normal” (in the normal and general sense of what a “normal” family is supposed to be) and, supportive, unfortunately, to honestly say. This is not to say that I was totally abused or neglected by my immediate family. Also, I am not putting blame on any of my family members for the problems that we may have had, either those of which we were aware of, but did not know what to do about them to resolve the issue for whatever reason, or those problems that existed which may be even a part of the day to day daily stresses of living that can cause such family problems in any family unit, whether a healthy and happy one or not, and those somewhere in between. Perhaps this is because I had a step-parent, where there were some awkwardness in the beginning of our relationship to say the least, which therefore provided the preliminary groundwork for the future problems that were not foreseen or predictable at the time, to no one’s fault or even responsibility, now that I look back at my life, where I had a step-parent from the time I was seven years old, and am now middle-aged.

]]> By: Awoke http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3664 Awoke Thu, 20 May 2010 08:03:13 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3664 to be effective do your better! to be effective do your better!

]]> By: Alapati Tautai http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3663 Alapati Tautai Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:59:33 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3663 I agree with you on this one Josh. Family is indeed important than anything. From where I come from, family ties are very important. Over the years, our culture has been influenced by other cultures but at least 70% of the families here still have strong family bonds or ties. There are only four people in my family - my sister, myself, mother, and father. Being that I am the oldest, it always seems like I have more responsibilities around the house. I always find myself trying to balance out my schedule for school work, school games, school activities, help out with my family business, and of course, family chores inside & outside the house. I feel like I do not have time to be a teenager because I have all these things to do. Despite how hard it is, it is actually helping me develop and prepare myself when I am on my own and in college. I agree with you on this one Josh. Family is indeed important than anything. From where I come from, family ties are very important. Over the years, our culture has been influenced by other cultures but at least 70% of the families here still have strong family bonds or ties. There are only four people in my family – my sister, myself, mother, and father. Being that I am the oldest, it always seems like I have more responsibilities around the house. I always find myself trying to balance out my schedule for school work, school games, school activities, help out with my family business, and of course, family chores inside & outside the house. I feel like I do not have time to be a teenager because I have all these things to do. Despite how hard it is, it is actually helping me develop and prepare myself when I am on my own and in college.

]]> By: Esperanza http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3662 Esperanza Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:57:36 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3662 I would like to give all the credit to how I have successfully recovered from a not so wholesome family life to my immediate family members, and then some (assuming this is what we think of family when we talk about "family,") but this honestly has not been the case for me. To make a long story short, I've lived with at least six different family members from my biological father's side of the family by the time I reached eighteen years old, that my immediate family life relationships was anything but smooth, "normal" (in the normal and general sense of what a "normal" family is supposed to be) and, supportive, unfortunately, to honestly say. This is not to say that I was totally abused or neglected by my immediate family. Also, I am not putting blame on any of my family members for the problems that we may have had, either those of which we were aware of, but did not know what to do about them to resolve the issue for whatever reason, or those problems that existed which may be even a part of the day to day daily stresses of living that can cause such family problems in any family unit, whether a healthy and happy one or not, and those somewhere in between. Perhaps this is because I had a step-parent, where there were some awkwardness in the beginning of our relationship to say the least, which therefore provided the preliminary groundwork for the future problems that were not foreseen or predictable at the time, to no one's fault or even responsibility, now that I look back at my life, where I had a step-parent from the time I was seven years old, and am now middle-aged. So, what has worked for me? Looking back at my life, and how I have survived certain obstacles in my day to day living, I'm glad that I believe in God, and that I had the wonderful support of friends and other friends I met along the way in my journey in life who have now become like family to me because they have become my extended family, in a sense, for me. From being a terribly asthmatic young child to the point of near death, but a gifted one, to where I over-extended myself with an unbalanced life, and unresolved personal issues with certain friends that paved the way to my breakdown during my last supposedly graduating months to a Bachelor's degree, where it seemed that my life would forever be dependent upon certain medications for survival, and be necessary to get "over" another day, day in and day out, my life situation has turned for the better, after a certain amount of therapy, coupled with certain medications (of which I am currently and slowly, trying to wean myself off them with the help of a physician and certain vitamins). Again, to make a long story short, I only lived with my current immediate family which includes siblings, a step-parent, and a biological parent, for only ten years total, from seven years old until seventeen years old, for my own reasons to leave because frankly, I was not happy with my immediate family at the time. Nevertheless, I managed to maintain and get good grades to get into a good college, and maintain a stable job for fifteen years afterwards, but with periodic interruptions in employment, due to small, and minor breakdowns, and problems with my medications. But I persevered and endured through hard work, and it paid off. Now, I'm currently working on my Associate's degree, and have plans on going to law school, and yes, to try to make the world a better place, for I believe there is a lot of hope for those who are hopeful with their lives, and who refuse to give up on themselves for whatever reason, and for whatever life brings them along their journey in life, for life is a journey, and it is up to us, I believe, where we can go in that journey, provided we have goals to fulfill a dream, any dream, whether big or small, so long as we continue to work at it day by day without stopping until, we die or we simply run out of dreams to dream about. I believed and still believe that as long as we have a dream we wish to fulfill, we continue to want to live, and make better lives for ourselves no matter what obstacles come our way, for even those obstacles can just be stepping stones, and learning experiences that can teach us new things about life or how to live our lives better even in simple and ordinary ways, for I believe that anything we learn and can learn to make our lives better can only make us even more alive and intent on fulfilling whatever goals and dreams we may have in our life, and since each of us is a part of society, this can only enrich society. If any and all individuals are enriched, society is also enriched. It's like a domino effect, or one that's contagiously handed down from one individual to another and passed on to society. I would like to give all the credit to how I have successfully recovered from a not so wholesome family life to my immediate family members, and then some (assuming this is what we think of family when we talk about “family,”) but this honestly has not been the case for me. To make a long story short, I’ve lived with at least six different family members from my biological father’s side of the family by the time I reached eighteen years old, that my immediate family life relationships was anything but smooth, “normal” (in the normal and general sense of what a “normal” family is supposed to be) and, supportive, unfortunately, to honestly say. This is not to say that I was totally abused or neglected by my immediate family. Also, I am not putting blame on any of my family members for the problems that we may have had, either those of which we were aware of, but did not know what to do about them to resolve the issue for whatever reason, or those problems that existed which may be even a part of the day to day daily stresses of living that can cause such family problems in any family unit, whether a healthy and happy one or not, and those somewhere in between. Perhaps this is because I had a step-parent, where there were some awkwardness in the beginning of our relationship to say the least, which therefore provided the preliminary groundwork for the future problems that were not foreseen or predictable at the time, to no one’s fault or even responsibility, now that I look back at my life, where I had a step-parent from the time I was seven years old, and am now middle-aged.

So, what has worked for me? Looking back at my life, and how I have survived certain obstacles in my day to day living, I’m glad that I believe in God, and that I had the wonderful support of friends and other friends I met along the way in my journey in life who have now become like family to me because they have become my extended family, in a sense, for me.

From being a terribly asthmatic young child to the point of near death, but a gifted one, to where I over-extended myself with an unbalanced life, and unresolved personal issues with certain friends that paved the way to my breakdown during my last supposedly graduating months to a Bachelor’s degree, where it seemed that my life would forever be dependent upon certain medications for survival, and be necessary to get “over” another day, day in and day out, my life situation has turned for the better, after a certain amount of therapy, coupled with certain medications (of which I am currently and slowly, trying to wean myself off them with the help of a physician and certain vitamins).

Again, to make a long story short, I only lived with my current immediate family which includes siblings, a step-parent, and a biological parent, for only ten years total, from seven years old until seventeen years old, for my own reasons to leave because frankly, I was not happy with my immediate family at the time. Nevertheless, I managed to maintain and get good grades to get into a good college, and maintain a stable job for fifteen years afterwards, but with periodic interruptions in employment, due to small, and minor breakdowns, and problems with my medications. But I persevered and endured through hard work, and it paid off. Now, I’m currently working on my Associate’s degree, and have plans on going to law school, and yes, to try to make the world a better place, for I believe there is a lot of hope for those who are hopeful with their lives, and who refuse to give up on themselves for whatever reason, and for whatever life brings them along their journey in life, for life is a journey, and it is up to us, I believe, where we can go in that journey, provided we have goals to fulfill a dream, any dream, whether big or small, so long as we continue to work at it day by day without stopping until, we die or we simply run out of dreams to dream about. I believed and still believe that as long as we have a dream we wish to fulfill, we continue to want to live, and make better lives for ourselves no matter what obstacles come our way, for even those obstacles can just be stepping stones, and learning experiences that can teach us new things about life or how to live our lives better even in simple and ordinary ways, for I believe that anything we learn and can learn to make our lives better can only make us even more alive and intent on fulfilling whatever goals and dreams we may have in our life, and since each of us is a part of society, this can only enrich society. If any and all individuals are enriched, society is also enriched. It’s like a domino effect, or one that’s contagiously handed down from one individual to another and passed on to society.

]]> By: lilia wustefeld http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3661 lilia wustefeld Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:21:09 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3661 i reall want to thank you for the advice that also a responsiblity in the family is also very important. the daily live is bringing so every little weight on your shoulder as a responsible person wich is not allowing to participate at this group or that group and even worse you feel so bad about especial then you were so active once. so you are now having responsibilies and their is no applouding crowd for this.thanks ,cause i last week said to myself how should i tell that i am so active here and there if took the response to be a good mother for three growing up kids.a good daughter to my mum and dad wich are retired and need now my help and attention.thank you .thank you. i reall want to thank you for the advice that also a responsiblity in the family is also very important.
the daily live is bringing so every little weight on your shoulder as a responsible person wich is not allowing to participate at this group or that group and even worse you feel so bad about especial
then you were so active once. so you are now having responsibilies and their is no applouding crowd for this.thanks ,cause i last week said to myself how should i tell that i am so active here and there if
took the response to be a good mother for three growing up kids.a good daughter to my mum and dad
wich are retired and need now my help and attention.thank you .thank you.

]]> By: Mario Garcia http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3660 Mario Garcia Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:24:48 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3660 I have never thought of including my role in my family in applications. These advices are an essential contribution to my scholarship' applications, and I sincerely thank you for helping people like me to achieve our goals. I have never thought of including my role in my family in applications. These advices are an essential contribution to my scholarship’ applications, and I sincerely thank you for helping people like me to achieve our goals.

]]> By: Ashutantang http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3659 Ashutantang Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:54:28 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3659 My family will not be a problem for me My family will not be a problem for me

]]> By: Ashutantang http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3658 Ashutantang Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:48:43 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3658 Ok thanks i understand u Ok thanks i understand u

]]> By: Bekah http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3657 Bekah Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:23:36 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3657 Wow! Thank you Judge Josh! My family adopted three boys out of CPS foster care in 2007 (two of which are very special needs). Shortly after the boys were placed with my family, my mom developed Multiple Sclerosis. I was depending on my very high GPA (3.9/4.0) to help earn a scholarship, but after Tip #2 not so much. =) Since the events of 2007, I had to stop almost all of my extracurricular activities in order to help my family. I was concerned that stopping my plethora of résumé-boosting hobbies would hinder my ability to compete for a scholarship, but my family was and is more important. Now, I am attempting to play catch-up my senior year while taking courses at the local college. Your tips are great! Love your humor--it makes it easier to take (especially Tip #2). =) Have a great night, Bekah--Former Scholarship Screwup Wow! Thank you Judge Josh! My family adopted three boys out of CPS foster care in 2007 (two of which are very special needs). Shortly after the boys were placed with my family, my mom developed Multiple Sclerosis. I was depending on my very high GPA (3.9/4.0) to help earn a scholarship, but after Tip #2 not so much. =) Since the events of 2007, I had to stop almost all of my extracurricular activities in order to help my family. I was concerned that stopping my plethora of résumé-boosting hobbies would hinder my ability to compete for a scholarship, but my family was and is more important. Now, I am attempting to play catch-up my senior year while taking courses at the local college. Your tips are great! Love your humor–it makes it easier to take (especially Tip #2). =)
Have a great night,
Bekah–Former Scholarship Screwup

]]> By: ellen http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3656 ellen Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:29:51 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3656 that works for me because i havent really had the time for school activies all 4 years so now im playing catch-up my senior year that works for me because i havent really had the time for school activies all 4 years so now im playing catch-up my senior year

]]> By: ONEL ZIDOR http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3655 ONEL ZIDOR Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:12:00 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3655 ok i get you thank you ok i get you thank you

]]> By: ONEL ZIDOR http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3654 ONEL ZIDOR Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:11:03 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3654 when you say forget about familly i will never see my famillyand won't able to talk to them when you say forget about familly i will never see my famillyand won’t able to talk to them

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3653 Carolyn Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:31 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3653 Tell my story--good advise I will try it I can only hope that my life is something worth reading. Tell my story–good advise I will try it I can only hope that my life is something worth reading.

]]> By: Lindy http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3652 Lindy Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:22:45 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3652 Wow, this scholarship writing stuff is a big deal -- I had no idea. Thanks for all the tips Josh, looks like I need to kick it up a notch to blow the pants off all those judges! Wow, this scholarship writing stuff is a big deal — I had no idea. Thanks for all the tips Josh, looks like I need to kick it up a notch to blow the pants off all those judges!

]]> By: Josh Barsch http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3651 Josh Barsch Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:58:17 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3651 Wow, thanks to all of the nice comments from all of you. You're very welcome for this advice, and it's true -- don't leave out your contributions to your family. Not all judges will recognize them, sure, but the best ones will. Fofo: Yeah, but you have to win the money before you get the opportunities. That's obvious, no? Wow, thanks to all of the nice comments from all of you. You’re very welcome for this advice, and it’s true — don’t leave out your contributions to your family. Not all judges will recognize them, sure, but the best ones will.

Fofo: Yeah, but you have to win the money before you get the opportunities. That’s obvious, no?

]]> By: fofo http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3650 fofo Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:22:51 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3650 you seem to lay a lot of emphasis on the BIG BUCKS you have to give the winner. what you are all failing to realize is that winning a scholarship to most people is not the prize money, but the opportunities the scholarship itself offers them. if that is your goal, i suggest you change it, cos the money will still finish whether we like it or not. I never pay attention to the prize money, the emphasis is the scholarship itself and the opportunities it comes with. you seem to lay a lot of emphasis on the BIG BUCKS you have to give the winner. what you are all failing to realize is that winning a scholarship to most people is not the prize money, but the opportunities the scholarship itself offers them. if that is your goal, i suggest you change it, cos the money will still finish whether we like it or not. I never pay attention to the prize money, the emphasis is the scholarship itself and the opportunities it comes with.

]]> By: Julia http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3649 Julia Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:29:41 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3649 My high school didn't even have clubs to join. I wanted to start my own art club but I was discouraged to do so. The only thing my highschool did extra was sports and band, which of course I didn't do. :S Thank you for this! My high school didn’t even have clubs to join. I wanted to start my own art club but I was discouraged to do so. The only thing my highschool did extra was sports and band, which of course I didn’t do. :S

Thank you for this!

]]> By: Salih http://www.outlawstudent.com/2009/07/23/scholarship-screwup-6-forget-about-family/#comment-3648 Salih Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:40:03 +0000 http://www.givemescholarships.com/?p=134#comment-3648 I read the paragraph you have wroten o the cite. The family is the great responsibility while we continue our life.And having us a responsibility while studying in any university is really an importand risk.Personally, I dont think to have a family until I get a position I long to get in the field of major of university,and then on my caree after graduating the university.And I believe I will have a great family like just my dreaming. Really it is not good to put into a risk as the family is so holy a situation in my life. Sincerely Salih I read the paragraph you have wroten o the cite. The family is the great responsibility while we continue our life.And having us a responsibility while studying in any university is really an importand risk.Personally, I dont think to have a family until I get a position I long to get in the field of major of university,and then on my caree after graduating the university.And I believe I will have a great family like just my dreaming.
Really it is not good to put into a risk as the family is so holy a situation in my life.

Sincerely
Salih

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