Applying For Scholarships
Now is the time of year when more and more scholarship deadlines will start to hit. And if you're applying for one scholarship, you're probably applying for a bunch! Over the next few weeks, literally millions of applications for scholarships will be completed and submitted. With this column, I hope to help make your applications some of the ones chosen to receive the awards.
The first thing to remember is that presentation counts. How your application, you on paper, looks to the members of the selection committee, really matters. You want your application to arrive early, be neat and clear, not have any misspelled words or other type-o's, to contain great, concise answers delivered from your unique point of view, and you want those who read your application to want to know more about you.
Of course, if you fill out an online form to apply (most schools now require you to fill out their form online), there is little chance of it being messy. But because all the applications will look almost exactly the same to the committee, it's even more important that your responses jump off the page and stand out above every other applicant. Be sure, though, that you take the time you need to ensure an online form (application) is completed with as much attention to detail as one you print and take to a parent or someone else to proof. I think there could be a tendency to not have your work reviewed by someone else when applying online.
Filling out paper applications (like many local scholarships) too can have it's own problems. Smudge marks, hand written applications, unanswered questions, misspellings and other type-o's, misdirected applications, and late submissions are only some of the possible pitfalls.
Suggestions:
Don't hand-write your application, type it. Buy and use a thesaurus for essay questions.
Always have someone else read your writing before it's submitted - this goes for when you're in college too! Write how you write and about what you want to write about. Not how or about what you think they want you to.
Be thorough but concise.
Be sure to include transcripts when called for.
Prioritize your list of activities and accomplishments in case there's not enough room
Ask recommenders way ahead, and give each one a copy of your resume.
Never submit anything without keeping a copy.
Match the address on the envelope with the address on the form - I've seen schools receive another school's application!
Final note:
If you're still undecided about attending a school and they offer you a scholarship - accept it!
Until you eliminate a school, accept any scholarship they offer (then be sure to decline later if you rule that school out).
DO NOT, however, try that with federal financial aid!