Scholarship Scams: Beware of Imitations!

As some of you already know, I applied for a few ISU-related scholarships over the winter. Today I received an odd email which stated that I would need to send a thousand euros to be considered for a 20,000 euro scholarship (in addition to 13,500 euros after that). Since I already lost one scholarship because I was a dual citizen (United States-Canada for an award which required United States citizenship), you can understand why I might be wary-- particularly since the most common scholarship scams ask applicants to send money up-front (to prove you're serious). Given my experiences so far with ISU-affiliated groups, I'm seriously considering abandoning the idea of spending the summer there entirely. Tuition for ISU is astronomical (33,500 euros) and I've already accepted a very attractive offer from my first choice (U. Wisc). Perhaps it's time to cut it off with ISU and just be happy about UW. Clearly, whoever it was that sent me such a ridiculous offer believes ISU recruits idiots and I'm sure many of my friends (ISU graduates) would vehemently disagree!

Besides, why would I pay 33,500 euros to go to ISU when I can go to UW and be paid for it? At the very least (if both programs were considered equals) in this economic climate, every dollar (and euro) counts and I'm sure Suzie Orman would tell me that going to ISU at this point in time wasn't a good idea. Sometimes our dreams get the better of us and we lose sight of sensibility. True, money wasn't my primary motivator in choosing a graduate program, but I couldn't completely ignore it either.

I decided which institution I would attend based on the calibre of the program and its faculty, as well as opportunities for research, above all else. Further down my list of preferences, were items which pertained to quality of life (access to medical care, student housing, financial stability, social opportunities, etc.) and other factors which (thankfully) only substantiated the case my heart made for going to UW. I've met a lot of people who loved ISU but their situations were quite different from mine. Deciding to attend UW was very easy for me but I can't say the same about ISU... at least, not the way things are right now. I don't want to jeopardize a productive start at UW because of crushing financial debts incurred from ISU's summer program. I also don't want to sacrifice the needs of my growing business. I have other things going on in my life besides ISU; other pathways to success.

Having been a student in four different universities, I've come to realize that the way in which faculty interact with students says a lot about the quality of an academic program. If the correspondence you receive makes you feel good inside (esp. inspired/motivated), then that's a BIG hint! However, if you find yourself avoiding your inbox because you're so afraid to find a long list of impossible demands (financial, occupational, etc.), then you are in a place that doesn't appreciate what you bring to the table and it's time to let go. I really don't think we listen to our "guts" enough. I ignored mine for a very long time and only started listening to it again this past year or so. Trust me, ignoring your instincts wastes a LOT of time! Don't feel bad if you don't fit in because it is not always your fault. Measuring up is a two-way street and both parties have standards to meet.

At any rate, I guess everyone will know what I've decided if I take down the ISU poster on my store website. It would have been cool to spend the summer at NASA-Ames... but at what price? There will still be plenty of time for Ames later as a post-doc! I just hope ISU learns from this experience (students having difficulty with financial aid) and finds ways to improve upon their current support system. In the meantime, I will remove the "scholarships" in question from my website in order to protect others. If anyone reading this blog has new scholarships, fellowships or research awards to add, or warnings/concerns about existing items included on the page, please let me know ASAP via email at jordan.protocell@gmail.com.

Oh well. Live and learn!