College is vastly approaching, but with all the freedom, excitement, and anticipation of college there is a hefty price tag. Scholarships offer a way to receive "free" money to pay for college. With thousands of applicants nationwide all vying for the same scholarship, that will only be given to two or three applicants, it seems that winning a scholarship can seem as realistic as winning a million dollar sweepstake contest advertised on television.

By definition, scholarship means: a sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, etc., to pursue his or her studies. Because there are so many applicants all going for the scholarship, it is not living up to its definition. Scholarships are no longer given out because they are needed; instead they have become a pointless contest and waste of time.

It is unrealistic to assume that as students we have nothing better to do than to pursue scholarships that we will not most likely receive. I would much rather spend my time doing homework or preparing for a class that I actually have, than pursue a virtually impossible scholarship. Yes, winning scholarships are great because you do get "free" money based on the achievements that have made, or your financial need. But statistically what are the chances of winning? If there are 15,000 applicants all going for a scholarship that is only picking three winners you have a 3 out of 15,000 chance, which is a .0002 chance of winning.

There is an alternative to nation-wide scholarships, local ones. Yet, just because the scholarship is given away by a local company or school doesn't mean that the competition will be any slimmer. There is a greater chance that you will attain the scholarship because local businesses like to give their money to local students, but still you are entering a free for all contest.

Attaining scholarships is just like "winning" a stuffed animal from a claw machine, you will put in a lot more: time, effort, and money into it then you will likely get in return.

Does anyone have an idea for me? Because i'm lost.