I especially liked the first essay. (And the third one about the laptop also was good.)

My own kids (teens who are growing up in our upper middle class household) asked me, after reading the essay, whether they'd have anything to write in a future college essay since they haven't really had any particular hardship that they have overcome. There are still plenty of topics for college essays, but nothing like the punch of the first and the third essays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

But he was and his mother is a house cleaner. He isn't telling anyone else's story except his own. Your comments seems a sad attempt at respectability that seeks to deny the existence and hardships of the vast majority of new immigrants.

+1. PP incorrectly assumes the student is talking about all immigrants, when he's just describing his own story.

no, i am not assuming he is talking about all immigrants. i know way too many (unlike you - just a guess) to think this is representative.

it is YOU who think he is talking about immigrant experience. and you want it to be so because... who can't love the poor little kid admiring your book collection? there is no threat here at all... just a gratitude, and this immense feeling of inferiority. awwww! such a nice, little kid, aspiring to be like us...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

But he was and his mother is a house cleaner. He isn't telling anyone else's story except his own. Your comments seems a sad attempt at respectability that seeks to deny the existence and hardships of the vast majority of new immigrants.

actually i went through a bit of a hardship myself. it's not the hardship, it's the "wow a new york times" part that really is demeaning.

yes, all he is doing is telling his story, but if i told you that my father was noted jurist, that i went to harvard etc, somehow i don't think you would awww so much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

But he was and his mother is a house cleaner. He isn't telling anyone else's story except his own. Your comments seems a sad attempt at respectability that seeks to deny the existence and hardships of the vast majority of new immigrants.

+1. PP incorrectly assumes the student is talking about all immigrants, when he's just describing his own story.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

So this kid's life experience offends you because it isn't the same as yours? This is not a fiction essay. His experiences are not any less valid than yours.

no, it doesn't offend me. what is kind of annoying is this arrogant assumption that immigrants are poor and in awe that someone has a newspaper on a table. it feeds into the worse stereotypes of immigrants but it's ok because americans can feel good about themselves for allowing these poor deprived people the chance to live in their country and admire sophistication of their rich people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

But he was and his mother is a house cleaner. He isn't telling anyone else's story except his own. Your comments seems a sad attempt at respectability that seeks to deny the existence and hardships of the vast majority of new immigrants.

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree with both your points. I didn't like the second one. A lot of people would dream to own their own B&B, to be able to be their own boss and you would think their daughter would recognize that that position is a gift. Although it's a customer oriented field, and yes customers can be obnoxious, I don't think there is the same inherent power imbalance as say, a hotel maid or janitor to a paying hotel guest. At the end of the day, the building belongs to them and they have the power to kick out anyone who is completely rude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

So this kid's life experience offends you because it isn't the same as yours? This is not a fiction essay. His experiences are not any less valid than yours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

i can see why americans love this, but it's kind of offensive toward immigrants. not all immigrants are in awe of a few open books and a new york times. our parents are not necessarily maids and cleaners.

Anonymous wrote:Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Agree, the first was tremendous. I would be so proud to be his mother.

Back to the article. I liked all but the second one. Her point was not particularly well articulated, and her argument was very convoluted. As far as I can tell, her point is that sometimes people are mean to service workers but I want to work in government.

The first one is a phenomenal writer, though...especially when you consider he's only in high school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What professors live like that?

This is your takeway? Lol

Law, med, and business school professors can do really well: easily 200k +, not to mention consulting fees, royalties from textbooks or other books, speaking fees, etc. Also, sometimes professors can nice perks like free housing (in really nice historic buildings) if they are deans or have endowed chairs, etc.

Plus they get a ton of time off. And obviously there are colleges and universities everywhere, including LCOL areas.

Some profs have pretty sweet sideline businesses. A family member of mine is a trial lawyer who hires university professors as part of cases from time to time as expert witnesses. Always in ultra-technical areas though - sciences, medical, etc. -- no English History professors. Pay is between $700-$1,000 per hour, including travel time. For a couple weeks' time (including depositions), a prof could earn $30,000. Can be much more if the case doesn't settle and ends up going to trial.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the problem is setting post-graduate career expectations too narrowly, not in pursuing a PhD itself.

do you actually have a phd?

the process of getting one is what produces "narrow career expectations". in many fields the only way you can do what you just spent at least 5 years doing is to be a professor at a research university. Also the only people you know in your field are your professors who think theirs is the best job in the world and who can't imagine non academic job being intellectually stimulating. also all your peers are aspiring academics. everyone around you wants it and thinks it's the best thing. those who change mind usually leave early in the program so they are not helpful either.

it's not like it has to be that way but after people spend a lot of time in phd programs their perspectives becomes kind of twisted. a lot has been written about phds' inability to abandon their academic dreams which is precisely why you can pay adjuncts minimum wage. Too many highly educated people who can't let go of their academic dreams.

One problem is that people spend so much time pursuing their phds into their late thirties, they no longer realize that $74,000 is barely a living wage in D.C. If you want to have a family. Maybe that kind of salary was workable back in the early 2000s when you started your degree, but not much money anymore.

Sounds like the problem is setting post-graduate career expectations too narrowly, not in pursuing a PhD itself.