The Scholarship Notice With Two Readings
A university publishes a one-paragraph notice about a scholarship. The notice states: 'Applicants who have completed at least 60 credits by the end of the spring term may apply, provided they submit two references and a 500-word statement. Applications received after 15 May will not be considered, although late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the committee where documented illness is involved.' A student, Priya, has 58 credits completed and 6 credits in progress during the spring term. She has two references ready but her statement is 620 words. She plans to submit on 16 May because of a documented illness in early May. A classmate tells her she is 'definitely ineligible on three counts.' Priya asks you to interpret the notice before she contacts the committee.
1. Assess each of the three claimed grounds of ineligibility. Which are genuine problems and which are not, and why?
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Claim 1: credit count. The notice requires at least 60 credits 'completed by the end of the spring term.' Priya has 58 completed plus 6 in progress. If the in-progress credits count as completed by the end of the term, she reaches 64 and satisfies the condition. The phrase 'by the end of the spring term' is a deadline, not a snapshot of today, so the classmate's reading is too strict. This is not clearly a problem, but it depends on whether the in-progress credits will be completed and recorded in time. Priya should confirm this with the registry.
Claim 2: statement length. The notice specifies a 500-word statement. A 620-word statement exceeds the requirement by 120 words. Whether this is disqualifying is not stated. Many committees treat length as a guideline, but the notice does not say so. This is a genuine risk that Priya can eliminate cheaply by trimming to 500 words. She should not gamble on leniency when the fix is easy.
Claim 3: late submission. The notice says applications after 15 May 'will not be considered,' then adds an exception for documented illness at the committee's discretion. Priya has documented illness and plans to submit on 16 May. The exception applies to her situation, but the word 'may' and 'at the discretion' mean acceptance is not guaranteed. This is not automatic disqualification, but it is not automatic acceptance either. She should submit as soon as possible and attach the documentation.
Conclusion: The classmate's 'three counts' overstates the case. Only the statement length is a clear, fixable defect. The other two are conditional and depend on evidence and committee discretion.
2. Write a short paragraph advising Priya on her next steps, using precise modal language that reflects the strength of each rule in the notice.
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Advice paragraph:
"You should trim your statement to 500 words, because the notice states that length explicitly and there is no reason to leave a clear defect in your application. You must confirm with the registry whether your 6 in-progress credits will count as completed by the end of the spring term; if they will, you meet the 60-credit threshold. You may submit after 15 May only because the notice allows late applications for documented illness, and the committee may accept yours at its discretion. That means you should not assume acceptance: submit on 16 May with your medical documentation attached, and ask the committee in writing to confirm that your late application will be reviewed."
Why this wording: The modals track the notice. 'Should' marks a rule Priya controls. 'Must' marks a fact she needs to verify before relying on it. 'May' and 'at its discretion' mark the committee's power, which Priya cannot control. This prevents her from treating a discretionary exception as a guarantee while still encouraging her to use it.