No free lunch

“We’ve narrowed our final applicants down to about twenty candidates left, but we only have room for a few more students.” the admissions officer told you. “I’m under the impression you have a genuine interest in attending school here, otherwise you wouldn’t be here today.”

She didn’t know how true that was. You had dreamed about going to this school as long as you’d known about it. Amazing campus, reasonable cost, great reputation and beautiful women, what more could you want? You figured you’d do just about anything to get in, but you weren’t surprised that you were struggling. You were an above average student, and this was a highly competitive school to get into. You knew you were lucky to even get the interview.

“The school wants someone who’s truly dedicated to this institution, and is willing to make sacrifices to join. That’s why I’ve been told to offer you you a chance to prove that dedication.”

This was the best you could hope for. You figured they’d ask for some community service, or to live in a shitty dorm, and you couldn’t care less about that stuff right then. You began to smile, preparing to thank the woman for giving you a chance.

But she had something else in mind. She knew that anyone could clean up a courtyard or paint a bridge. She wanted you to agree to something more unusual.