HOW TO: SCHOLARSHIPS Tips on Scholarship Searching, Essays, and Interviewing by Kim Weis, Counselor BHS and GT Enrichment Coordinator TVHS Majority of

HOW TO:SCHOLARSHIPS

Tips on Scholarship Searching, Essays, and Interviewing by Kim Weis, Counselor BHS and GT Enrichment Coordinator TVHS

Majority of this presentation is a compilation of tips from various scholarship websites. I have thrown in a few pieces of my own advice.

Scholarship Searching

Use the right keywords in your search! The field you want to study: engineering,

dentistry, music, etc. The region of the country/world you are

from The region of the country/world where

you’d like to study Your Gender Your age (good for “non-traditional”

students over the age of 25) Your ethnicity/minority status

Source: https://secure.okcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarship_Tips.aspx

Keywords Cont.

Any disability you or your parents have Veteran status of you or your parents A skill or activity you enjoy (juggling, knitting,

etc.) Student organizations you are involved with

(FFA, 4H, FBLA, etc.) Community organizations, such as religious

organizations and civic organizations (Rotary or Lions Club)

Your parent’s employer An employer you’d like to work for in the future

Source: https://secure.okcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarship_Tips.aspx

Top 5 Scholarship Search Engines

1. The College Board: www.collegeboard.com

2. CollegeNET: www.collegenet.com

3. Fast Web: www.fastweb.com

4. Scholarships.com: www.scholarships.com

5. Scholarship Monkey*: www.scholarshipmonkey.com

I would recommend creating a separate email address as some websites will send you quite a bit of email.

*Scholarship Monkey is not private, so unless you opt out, third parties will get your email and/or mailing address to send you information.

Source: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2011/01/20/compare-5-top-scholarship-search-engines

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.collegenet.com/

http://www.fastweb.com/

http://www.scholarships.com/

http://www.scholarshipmonkey.com/

Beware of Scholarship Scams!

While you are researching scholarships, beware of scholarship programs that use the following phrases: The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back

Truth: no scholarships for college are guaranteed; you have to apply for them!

You can’t get this information anywhere else Truth: scholarship information is public information

I need your credit card/bank account number to hold this scholarship Truth: school scholarships are awarded based on need

or merit, not on financial information

Source: http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/6538052B/Beware-of-Scholarship-Scams/

http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/6538052B/Beware-of-Scholarship-Scams/


Beware of Scholarship Scams! Cont.

“We’ll do all of the work” Truth: students pursuing college financial aid do

most of the work The scholarship will cost some money

Truth: college scholarships are gift aid toward the student’s college education; they don’t require payment by the student

You’ve been selected by a foundation to receive a scholarship/You’re a finalist in a scholarship contest Truth: if you haven’t reached out to an organization

or entered a contest, it’s unlikely that you would be randomly selected for their scholarship




If You Spot a Scam…

Do additional research: Do they have a phone number? Call it and see if

someone answers and can answer your questions

Do they have a mailing address other than a P.O. Box? P.O. Box addresses are a red flag

If they claim to be an organization that offers federal aid, their website should end in .gov

How do they contact you? Organizations that contact you in writing by mail are usually more legitimate than those that contact you by phone




The Essay: Topics

Not all scholarship applications require an essay, but many do

Common essay topics/questions and why they are asked: Your field of specialization and academic plans: to see how well

you know your area of specialization and why you’re interested in it “How will your study of _______ contribute to your immediate or long

range career plans?” Current events and social issues: to test your problem-solving

skills and see how up to date you are on current events “Pick a controversial problem on college campuses and suggest a

solution.” Personal achievements: don’t be afraid to brag a little about your

accomplishments! “Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out

of school.” “Why are you a good candidate to receive this award?”

Source: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/33-common-essay-questions-and-how-to-handle-them

The Essay: Topics Cont.

Background and influences: They will want you to write about your background and major influences to know more about you “How has your family background affected the way you see the

world?” Future plans and goals: to look for applicants with vision

and motivation “Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?”

Financial need: “State any special personal for financial circumstances affecting

your need for financial assistance.” Random topics: to assess your creativity and get a more

well-rounded sense of your personality. “Choose a person or persons you admire and explain why.”

Source: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/33-common-essay-questions-and-how-to-handle-them

The Essay: Tips for Writing

Read the directions: Sometimes the directions can clarify the intent of the question

Begin the writing process by writing an outline Make sure your outline touches on every aspect required per the

instructions Write your essay by elaborating on each of the points in your

outline Use clear, concise, and simple language throughout the

essay Read your essay out loud: if you get tripped up reading it out

loud or it sounds awkward, the reader will probably experience the same thing

Make sure your grammar and spelling are impeccable Ask a person with strong writing skills to edit and proofread your

essay before you submit it Sources: www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-application-strategies/top-10-tips-for-writing-effective-scholarship-essays/

www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarships/how-write-winning-scholarship-essay

http://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-application-strategies/top-10-tips-for-writing-effective-scholarship-essays/


The Essay: Tips for Writing Cont.

Write and interesting essay Remember, “most students haven’t lived long enough to

develop a personal philosophy or life story that isn’t trite, superficial, preachy, or tiresome. A truly interesting essay will engage the reader and attract attention.” – Top Universities website Write about something you find interesting or that you

are passionate about “Try to find a unifying theme that binds together the

threads of your background into a tapestry that only ever relates to you.” – Top Universities website

State your accomplishments without coming across as if you are bragging – be humble

Sources: www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-application-strategies/top-10-tips-for-writing-effective-scholarship-essays/




The Essay: Tips for Writing Cont.

Use examples If you are talking about leadership, work ethic, or other topics in

your essay where you can provide an example of when you demonstrated that topic, do so

Fill your scholarship essay with keywords/synonyms of keywords used in the scholarship statement

Understand the criteria used by the scholarship committee to evaluate application essays

For more useful tips, visit the following website: www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarships/how-write-winning-scholarship-essay

Sources: www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-application-strategies/top-10-tips-for-writing-effective-scholarship-essays/


http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarships/how-write-winning-scholarship-essay





Scholarship Interview: General Tips

Beforehand: Congratulate yourself: Getting an interview is a privilege! Review your application materials thoroughly

Oftentimes, interviewers will reference something you put in your application and ask further questions

Review the scholarship program information, including information about the organization giving the scholarship; look at the organization’s website, if possible

Dress comfortably and professionally Dress respectfully so that the interviewer is not distracted by

your appearance Avoid revealing your midriff, cleavage, and underwear. Avoid wearing a hat, jeans, spaghetti strap tank tops, etc.

Sources: www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html

www.emmawillard.org/faqs/college-resources/college-interview

http://www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html


Scholarship Interview: General Tips Cont.

During: Maintain eye contact Be conscious of your posture and sit up straight Listen actively – if you are able to paraphrase

what the interviewer is saying, you’re actively listening. Don’t “zone out” when they are taking!

Show enthusiasm – about yourself, the conversation, and the institution where you are interviewing… and remember to smile!






During: Answer questions:

Answer with openness and honesty – do not exaggerate Take your time answering questions

Taking a few moments to formulate your response is only awkward for you. The silence is not awkward for the interviewer

Answer specifically and concisely Try to avoid using verbal fillers: “like,” “um,” “you know,” etc.

Frame your responses positively You may get asked a question that addresses a challenging situation.

Focus on the positive growth, what you learned, not the foolish decision you made

Practice: Interviewing is a skill and while something may sounds good in your head, it can be difficult to articulate an answer. Ask a parent, family friend, or counselor to help you practice






After: Shake the interviewer’s hand and thank them Some people like to bring thank you cards with

them and fill them out afterwards, thanking the interviewer for their time. This is optional

You may want to write down the interview questions right after you finish interviewing (before they leave your brain for good!) to help you prepare for future interviews





Sample Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself, your background, and interests. What is your biggest accomplishment? What is your biggest weakness? (remember the positive

framing tip!) In your application, you mentioned _________. Tell me more

about that experience. What do you envision yourself doing in 10 years? What makes you an ideal candidate for this opportunity? How do you define “success?” What books not required for school have you read recently? What mark do you think you’ve left on your school? What are your goals?





Sample Interview Questions

There are thousands of questions that you can try to prepare to answer, but my suggestion is this: Go into the interview with a few stories/examples that

you can adapt to different questions. Examples of previous behavior help paint a picture of future behavior. When have you been a leader? Made a contribution to your

community? What is an accomplishment you’re proud of? Come in with specific situations/examples that can address these types

of questions. Concrete examples are better than abstract, vague answers.

Questions about the future: think about the Why? How do you see yourself contributing to society 10 years from

now? What are your goals? These are more vague, but think of why you want to pursue the

career/major you want If you’re not sure what you want to major in specifically, but know you

want to help people or contribute to the science field, talk about that.

4Key Things to Remember

1. It is your responsibility to search for and apply for scholarships – not your parent’s, counselor’s, other other adult.

They may help you, but ultimately, it comes down to you

2. Start looking early! I recommend using the search engines and the

scholarships tab on Naviance the summer before your senior year or right at the beginning of senior year

3. The kids that get more money, put more work into it: searching, essays, etc.

4. Look outside of the web searches Ask your parents, grandparents, family friends, etc. if

they belong to any organizations or if their employers offer scholarships

Thank You!

I hope this is helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me: Kim Weis, Thompson Valley GT Enrichment

Coordinator 970-613-7912 [email protected]

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HOW TO: SCHOLARSHIPS Tips on Scholarship Searching, Essays, and Interviewing by Kim Weis, Counselor BHS and GT Enrichment Coordinator TVHS Majority of