A FREE DO-OVER. The Washington County branch of the University of Wisconsin solicits a different kind of applicant essay.

The school's "Extreme Educational Makeover" contest will provide one winner with a free semester of classes, including tuition, fees and money for books - about a $2,600 value.

The contest aims to help adults returning to school. Entrants must be 22 or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and cannot have taken a class at UW-Washington County in the past two years. Contestants must submit essays describing why they need a life makeover and how education would help.

The UW-Washington County Foundation, Glacier Hills Credit Union and West Bend Savings Bank provided funding for the scholarship, which the school modeled after a similar contest at UW-Rock County.

I like the concept. I'd be particularly pleased if the winning essay is an Act of Contrition upon having spent too much time at beer 'n circus at some other college and having discovered the downside of fast food's career track.