posted on February 16, 2004 06:12:59 AM new
There is a fellow here in Troy MI that has a very respectable set of businesses making amphoreous solar cells and cutting edge battery technology. He has presented numerous break through papers on solid state physics and his company licenses their processes to major companies all over the world. He has dozens of PhDs working for him but he himself has never been to college. Sometimes he won't hire people when he interviews them and gets the sense that school has beaten all the initiative and originality out of them.
College is too often just seeking a diploma in hopes of making more money when it really adds very little value. Especially when you consider the expense level now.
If you are really bright you might better use the time advancing your own business and staying out of debt.
If you are a plugger and intend to work away for somebody else and display little initiative then perhaps it is the place for you.
I used to know a professor at Bowling Green and for all his education the man could not make a pitcher of lemonade.
posted on February 16, 2004 07:59:38 AM newYou think about it, Reamond: Idiot George W Bush took a slot at Yale that another kid with an excellent mind was denied because he didn't have the bread, or connections...
Giving preference due to wealth or connections does not offend the Constitution.
I'm sure that there are cases such as you mention, Reamond but that is not the norm.
It is absolutely the norm or the courts would not have heard the case.
In the MI case the preferential treatment was based solely on skin color. That is the norm in every race based entitlement. No one means tests race based entitlements. Imagine the uproar by wealthy blacks if they were displaced by poor blacks.
Do you actually believe that any affirmative action entitlement system checks income or family wealth ?
posted on February 16, 2004 08:52:56 AM new
Maybe we agree, Reamond. I believe that merit scholarships should be based on economic need, such as the criteria for this school indicates. I know that economic status is considered in admissions -- along with your high school and your area. Colleges try to get a good cross section of students by making these considerations.
Example... from google search...criteria for merit schlarship of one school.
The School of Social Work awards Merit Scholarships to students in two areas:
Merit based financial aid is awarded utilizing academic and practice-related criteria as evidenced by the supplementary statement, recommendations and other application file documentation. Awards may be provided to students meeting one or more of the following criteria:
evidence of substantial knowledge development accomplishments
evidence of substantial social work-related research experience
evidence of outstanding volunteer or paid social work experience
evidence of high academic achievement
evidence of outstanding record in social activism
Mission Scholarship Criteria
Mission-based financial aid is awarded to students who have demonstrated intellectual and personal qualities likely to lead to roles and careers central to the social welfare system. This includes a commitment to engaging in roles that involve social welfare institutions and systems most likely to impact major social problems and that serve the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in society. Personal qualifications considered essential to successful social work practice such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgment, creativity, integrity and skill in written communication will be considered. This determination shall be based primarily on an evaluation of all previous academic work, recommendations, human service employment experience, the applicant's written supplementary statement and other application documents.
posted on February 16, 2004 10:43:58 AM new
I have nothing against need based grants - perhaps we shouldn't call them scholarships becaused it is based on skin color rather than academic portfolio.
However, our Constitution doesn't address economic discrimination. The governemnt can cause differential treatment based on economic condition.
