Gates Millennium Scholarship: The Best in the US...BUT... The People behind it

Paying for College
1

<p>I am a gates scholar and this is one of the proudest achievement in my life. I have never worked so hard for anything in my life. I am eternally grateful for this scholarship because it has allowed me to do so many things that my low financially life has not allowed me to do. I commence Bill and Melinda Gates for the many charities that they have done for college students. The financial aspect have given me so many opportunities that I would never have dream of. This is truly the best scholarship that a high school student can get. The scholarship is worth all the work and hype, and more.
However, financial aside, the scholarship is one of the ineffective national scholarship out there. The key people behind it are some of the most pretentious people out there. </p>

<p>These people talk of great things, that we are the future of America, etc, and that they have invested so much in us so that we can achieve great things. I really respect how our motto is very inspiring and give us so many hopes. But I have gotten to meet and know the people working behind the scene and I have really become much cynical ever since. Such people that I’ve met are Larry Griffith and Carlos Adrian from the African and Hispanic branch of Gates. (I don’t have any experience with the Asian and Native American branch–so I can’t say anything). They really don’t believe jack in us, and if they do, it’s more of what we can do for THEM. What we are to them are statistical numbers. They remind me of my high school principal–who never knew I existed and never bothered to learn my name, and when he suddenly found out that I was winning scholarships left and right–he tried to be BFF with me and show me around to his rival schools showing off what a great school and student body that he leads and trying to get political fame so that he can get the school board position that we was running for. He has never done anything for me, yet he was trying to ride off my success. </p>

<p>Anyways, I feel like these people are such manipulative politicians and stock investors–their whole pretentious and idealistic belief that we are, as Whitney Houston says it well, “children of the future” are just a front to make themselves look good. </p>

<p>Now I know that these are just two bad people that I happen to met, and that they are not true representative of GMS. But what bothers me is that Larry happens to be the VP of the program. His ideas are reflective of GMS itself–unfortunately. It makes me question myself–that although he was probably not the person to pick my application, what must the people behind him are like in order for them to pick me. If their ideas reflect his, am I just another pawn? </p>

<p>Don’t get me wrong–I have met many other great staffs who are caring as their motto.
And I’ve meet so many scholars my age who I know fits the motto and more. However, I just can’t help but feel jaded. These people are so out of tune with their scholarship motto --I don’t know. It feels like having a role model you look up to, until you get older and find out that they didn’t believe in the ideals that they put out, and they did it for their public image or whatever. </p>

<p>And they can do so much better with their website. It constantly crashes–and this is Bill Gate’s foundation after all. They can do so much better with their website and their customer service. Everytime, I call them, the ladies always seem to be in a rush to go the bathroom or something. They probably don’t think that these little details don’t matter–but it does in the long run. </p>

<p>Anyways, I just wanted to share my experience. Like I said, Gates is a great program and it’s a great thing what they are doing for people like me–but there’s so many ways they can improve on. And I wish more scholars would speak up about it because I know that I am not the only one feeling this way. </p>

<p>After sounding like an ingrateful basterd, I’m going to go. But I just want to share another perspective on Gates, and many other National Scholarships that very few talk about. The more you believe in people you think who are going to care, the more cynical and hurt you will get. Just believe in yourself and that’s all you need to do and thank them for financially believing in you. You will make their investment worth it, but not in that way. </p>

<p>Peace</p>

2

<p>If you feel like such a pawn or statistic, simply refuse their money. My D is very grateful for them and would never rant in such a rude fashion about an organization that provides educational opportunities as GMS does. Yes, you do sound like an ungrateful ■■■■■■■, or as you put it, an “ingrateful basterd.”</p>

<p>Please refuse their money so somebody appreciative can use it.</p>

3

<p>Just say no to the money! Don’t be a tool! (In other words, let the scholarship go to someone who recognizes and appreciates the wonderful gift and opportunity they’ve been given. That is the kind of person who is likely to do something great in the future.)</p>

4

<p>Did you guys even had enough patient to read through the whole thing?</p>

<p>I know many others feel this way but they don’t want to sound like a “tool” and I knew that I was going to get a lot of negativity. I clearly know that I will sound like a ■■■■■■■ for posting this up but I did it anyways because someone had to step up, and it will be me.</p>

<p>I am never ungrateful for their financial support AND if you actually read my entire post, you might actually see a reason for this rant.</p>

<p>MORAL OF THE STORY: Work hard and write beautiful essays about saving the world, etc, that has a lot of “aspire” “inspire” and if you actually believe in these things, I have respect for you. However, just don’t think that the people who are in charge of handling the money practice what you preach. </p>

<p>And I hope that someone from GMS will read from this post and fix their horrible human services as well as basic technicals tuff. Sorry I’m such an ingrateful ■■■■■■■ for wanting better improvements and pointing out flaws that needs attention. </p>

<p>So in short for the last time, it’s like receiving a Rolex watch for a gift and finding out that the clock turners are broken. The Rolex, or the GMS brand and money is REAL, but the clock turners are inefficient and broken, meaning the staff workings, therefore making the whole watch useless–unless you just wear your watch for the shallowness of the brand name. And I don’t see it changing anytime soon, considering the rotting starts at the top. I feel so sorry of the staffs at the bottom who actually cares about what they do</p>

5

<p>My D received the gates millennium scholarship and graduated last year debt free!! We were very grateful and blessed for such a tremendous financial blessing. Have you ever heard of the phrase, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”?</p>

6

<p>If you feel so strongly about it, I suggest you write a letter to the scholarship foundation and sign your real name.</p>

7

<p>I totally understand where you come from in the post. (And, yes, I did read the whole thing.) I got a scholarship from a company that I had the same opinions about. However, I refused the money. I don’t mind having to work a little harder to find a better group to give me money since I had a serious problem with the way the first group treated me. </p>

<p>Were I you, I’d just flat-out refuse it. There are people who haven’t encountered problems with Gates who would truly be accepting and greatful for the money. If you’re against them, you can do better.</p>