We have a group of wealthy people in the community who want to support our program. Asbestos claims lawyers, good money. They decided to give out scholarships in the amount of $1,500 (one thousand five hundred American dollars, just to be completely clear), no strings attached, to students in our program. Very eager to just give away money. All that the students had to do was write a 1-page essay about why they decided to go into our program.
Now, as adults who all have an OK living, how do you feel about $1,500? I might be a total weirdo here but I think it's good money. I wouldn't scoff at it. Tell me where I can pick up $1,500 for a one-page piece of writing, and I'm first in line.
Not so our students. Most refused even to try. They are too busy, and writing is hard. Out of those who agreed, one used AI, another made an extraordinary number of spelling mistakes , including IN THE NAME OF OUR BLOODY PROGRAM, and yet another quit after one paragraph without even finishing it. The last sentence kind of fizzled out before actually ending.
The lawyers are confused. They wanted to give away money. They deposited the money into our scholarship account and arrived today to discuss the applications. They, busy, successful people, could be bothered to come and give money. But nobody could be bothered to take it.
Our students aren't remotely rich. This is really not a privileged crowd in any way, shape, or form. So what is it?
It's not just the scholarship. I'm going to fire my lab GA who will lose not only the salary but her tuition waiver. This means she's out $15,000 just like that, and even this can't motivate her to send me the correct spreadsheet with exactly 5 lines in it 4 weeks in a row.
I'm not saying they are all like that. But very many are. Way too many. And as God is my witness, I can't explain it.
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