Quote:
Originally Posted by karomata
We as FIRST participants often speak of rising above the opponent instead of dragging them down, however in a competative setting for scholarships, isn't having a bias towards women dragging down the guys in FIRST? Is it gracious and professional to distribute these scholarships with a preferance?
I'm not saying I only got into FIRST for the scholarships, but for how often FIRST speakers talk about having 16+ million dollars in scholarships, I don't think it reflects well on FIRST that some of these scholarships are bias. FIRST preaches gracious professionalism, a belief in the FIRST culture that has allowed all of us to thrive, but I believe these preferences on the scholarships to not embody the FIRST spirit. Even if the colleges are determining the criteria, as FIRST students we are entering a world where not everyone is always gracious and professional, and at times having some influence from a higher power (FIRST) even the odds would be very helpful.
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EVERY scholarship has some sort of bias... Are people whining that the ASME scholarship is only for mechanical engineers? Are people whining about the fact that WPI is only providing scholarships to kids that want to go to WPI? Are people whining that Penn State's scholarship only goes to those in Engineering, not business or nursing?? Or how about the Society of Women Engineers, are you upset that their scholarship only goes to women?
As an FRC High School senior, you have the option of over 158 scholarships conveniently located on a single page with details, information, and application links laid out for you. Other students at your school do NOT have that option... are they complaining that they can't get those 158 scholarships because they didn't join the FIRST team? I get that many of these things are things you can "choose" - you can "choose" your major, you can "choose" to join an FRC team or not, but you cannot choose your gender.
However, use your own "rise above" statement and rise above these challenges. Have you applied for every single one of those 158 scholarships that you are eligible for? Have you scoured the internet looking for other scholarship opportunities, read up on how to write a killer essay, used spell check 3x over, practiced college interviews with college graduates, reviewed your applications with your guidance counselors and teachers?
Only 6 of the 158 indicate a "preference for women", however only ONE is exclusive to women, and it is NOT the WPI scholarship. Make your resume and your essay and your interview far more attractive than any of the female candidates offered, and you still stand a shot at getting that scholarship. You are not excluded from it. When you have done absolutely everything you can to "rise above" your "disadvantage", then lets talk.
Welcome to the real world where you have to work for it, it won't be handed to you. Don't use the word "preference" to justify your lack of trying.