Disbelief

The other day there was a guy working on his laptop next to me on the train.

As I sat listening to my rockin' 80's tunes I couldn't help but glance over at his screen. After a couple peeks it was pretty clear that he was looking over a college application essay of some sort, probably for some scholarship.

So, I says to myself, he's checking his daughter's application essay. That's nice, good dad, I think to myself.

Then I notice him making a few edits. Hmm, okay, maybe he should let her do that, but okay, no big deal.

But then, all of a sudden, he's typing up complete paragraphs. Adding stuff about her (his?) extracurricular activities (Among them, "Cheerleaders Against Suicide." Not making that up.) and her (his?) desire to succeed in her (his?) chosen field. What the heck?

I have to say it really bothered me. If the text of the essay wasn't also completely fabricated, the young lady allegedly interested in the scholarship sounded well rounded and intelligent, and certainly capable of writing her own essay. So why is dad writing it? Hmm.

I chickened out on saying "I hope you get the scholarship" or "good luck with your second career as a physical therapist" to the guy. But it did make me think. How much of this sort of "soft fraud" do you think goes on? I bet there's a lot. I mean, who benefits the most from scholarships? The kid? Maybe, to a point. The parents? Absolutely.

I guess I just answered my own question.