The mail man must hate me...
The mail man came into the admissions office today, like he does every day, delivering applications, transcripts, letters of recommendation and such. We trade twice a day: he brings us mail and we give him some back to deliver.
I like sending mail. Despite all of today's methods of communication, including telephone, e-mail, text, blogs, websites, social networking, you name it, nothing to me is as satisfying and effective as ink and paper delivered via the good ol' US Mail. It is tangible, reliable, and comforting. I must admit that every day when I go home, one of the first things I do is check the mail. Sadly, most of the mail I get these days is bills or junk mail, but occasionally I get a letter or card from a friend, which really brightens my day....but I digress.
Anyway, today the mailman must hate me, because today we had a little--check that, BIG--surprise waiting for him. That's right, SCHOLARSHIP LETTERS ARE BEING MAILED TODAY! He had to go back to the mail truck to get a dolly. (sorry Mr. Mailman!)
Like all universities around the country, times are tight as we all feel the effects of the economy and budget cuts. At the same time the competition for our top scholarships is increasing, as more and more students are applying to USC. Unfortunately we are not able to offer as many scholarships as we have in the past, but we are still offering plenty of scholarships to deserving students, as evidenced by the many mail bins that were waiting for the mail man this morning. So that is why the mail man may be upset with me today.
I, on the other hand, am a HUGE fan of the mail man, and wish him fast and safe delivery of these very important letters. I hope you will soon be a big fan as well!
Oh, one final thought: take a minute to write a handwritten note to your grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle--anybody really--and drop it in the mail. They will love you for it.