The College Student’s Alternative to the Lottery
Today I sent in my application for another scholarship. It sounded like something I qualified for, but I’m sure there are plenty of other great PR students applying for it as well.
But I started thinking: Applying for internships and scholarships is a good alternative to lotteries and casinos. At least they are judged on some sort of merit rather than random chance.
Even though I live near a casino, there’s a better chance of me getting this scholarship than winning the jackpot or a Harley Davidson. That’s why I invest the time and the postage costs into applying for internships, scholarships and awards.
I know I’ve spent more than $50 in the past few months on priority mail alone. Fifty bucks doesn’t sound like much…unless you’re a college student and advertising account executive working on commission.
It’s also tough to apply for scholarships because more often than not, you will not get them. Some people won’t bother to write the essay, gather the letters of recommendation and fill out the application unless it’s a sure shot.
So far, I’ve done pretty well “winning the lottery.” But, it really wasn’t luck. I’ve worked pretty hard to get where I am today. I know I wouldn’t have gotten any awards if I wouldn’t have had the guts to apply for them in the first place despite past failures. Sometimes, you need to take action over uncertainty.
For example, I applied for the Edelman Award and the Deveney Communication Summer Scholar Program. I may have lost, but I applied for the next great internship program I heard about, which was the Founder’s Award. I was amazed when I got it (even though I wanted it more than anything and I’m sure it showed in my application). At my own university, I also was given the Allan Schoenberg Award.
Every student has self-doubt. In an old post on Penelope Trunk’s blog, she suggests just pushing through it (with a box of Oreos if you need them).
So if you’re a college student, try the gambling alternative: Apply for scholarships, internships and awards. If you’ve worked hard, you might just hit the jackpot.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.
Wow you read my mind! I was just thinking of alternative, ethical ways to bring in cash for book and stuff next year. It’s sad but I feel like most college students associate scholarships with applying to college also, and then forget to keep doing it through out their time there.
Great post Rachel!
Evan,
Thanks!
That’s so true. I actually was talking to a parent recently and she didn’t even know her daughter, who is a high school junior, could be applying for scholarships. I think FastWeb should pay us to do a PR campaign for them
PS: I love how you specified “ethical.” I swear, I only hear that word from my fellow PR students. We must think about ethics more than the average college student.
Thanks for reading!
Rachel, I must commend your determination, doggedness and a resolute mind to make a difference. Many of your mates are far behind in managing a personal branding that you are involved in now. I wish everyone note this early that what becomes of them after the campus live is often initiated while still in under graduate school. Keep this up.