Forget an Essay; Earn a Scholarship With a Tweet

PolygamousRanchKid writes with this quote from a CNN article: "The Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation is asking eligible high school seniors to tweet a photo that illustrates their commitment to education and enriching their communities. The KFC Colonel's Scholars winner, announced December 15, will receive up to $5,000 per year to pursue a bachelor's degree at a public university in his or her home state. ... Other organizations, perhaps weary of wading through applicants' lengthy essays, also are offering eager students ways to turn a 140-character message into money for college. ... Why a tweet? Jodi Schafer, the University of Iowa's director of MBA admissions and financial aid, told USA Today that application essays were 'becoming unoriginal.' She said 'we're hoping that incorporating social media in the process will help bring back some of that creativity.'"

And we fell for it

[paiute]

20 grand outlay - at most - in return for many times that in free publicity. KFC wins this round.

And after all that...

[cupantae]

they were just looking for someone to kiss their asses in a tweet. This isn't about pithy expression, they just wanted something that works as relatively cheap advertising.

Move along, now...

Re:And we fell for it

[mad flyer]

I don't exactly see where the problem might be ? Did they kill somebody to get the fund ?

Originality

[HWMTM]

Application essays were becoming "unoriginal," and yet they expect *more* originality in 140 characters or less?

Re:Complainers

[cupantae]

My complaint is that the winning entry read like an advertisement, so the apparent focus of the competition was dishonest

Re:And we fell for it

[paiute]

I don't exactly see where the problem might be ? Did they kill somebody to get the fund ?

It isn't a problem. I salute the KFC marketing department. They figured out how to get maximum publicity and goodwill with a minimum investment.

Wow

[pak9rabid]

Wow...you guys are a bunch of ungreatful asshats. Who cares why they're doing it, the fact is that they're letting somebody go to school on their dime. What's so evil about that?

Re:Wow

[forkfail]

As a society and nation, we cut funding for education from kindergarten through high school; we slash Pell grants and jack up the interest on student loans.

In a global economy where the one thing that we still do quite well is innovation and technology, we make it progressively harder and harder for the next generation to go to school.

On top of this, we allow science to become political and overly influenced by corporate interests, and all too often treat intelligence and knowledge with mistrust. We flock to watch Snookie, but refuse to take the time to teach our kids how to spell.

So - given this as a backdrop - tweeting for a chance to go to school just seems wrong. Not surprising, but it definitely feeds into the culture of mediocrity that we're building for ourselves.

Judging a photo

[werepants]

I personally don't see the problem with judging a photo instead of an essay. Especially since it isn't something that students will have already done 100 of, so it will likely inspire more creativity and originality. A really good photo can say just as much as a good essay, and is arguably harder to put together. Plus it is easier to judge and easier to show off when you announce the winner.

That said, the "tweet" angle isn't really relevant or helpful, but I think it is just a way to get more eyeballs and try to appeal to younger folks. It seems to be working, at any rate.