Scholarship Application Tips
Scholarship Search
- While the basic
premise of scholarships is to give you money for your academic career
development, not every scholarship is going to be a good fit for what
you want, or do not want, to do. Be sure to read ALL the requirements
before you invest time and energy into applying.
- Be wary of scholarship
engines that charge a fee. Here are some reputable sites: CollegeNET,
FastAid, FastWEB, FinAid, FreSch!, Sallie Mae/wiredscholar scholarship,
studyabroad.com.
- Choose an "A" list. That is, create a short list of the ones that are a best fit for you, and which you can realistically devote time and energy into completing.
Date with Destiny
- Most all of the
Prestigious Scholarships
have a designated representative on campus (See email link for each
foundation listed on the "Prestigious Scholarships Listing"
web page.)
- Make an appointment with the appropriate representative to make sure you have the most up-to-date information, to answer any questions you may have, and to garner further useful suggestions.
Details, Details, Details
- Once you have
the application(s), read each one CAREFULLY.
- Read it all again. Missing pieces of information in an application packet are among the easiest ways to weed people out of the selection process.
Keeping It All Straight
- Count-down to
deadline: Whether you mark all the requirements on the calendar on your
wall, or program the to-list into your palm pilot, keep track of what
needs to be done and when.
- Be sure to note whether deadline dates are post-no-later-than deadlines or must-have-arrived-by-this-date deadlines.
Letters of Recommendation
- Letters of recommendation
are a vital cornerstone of scholarship packets. It is through these
letters that scholarship selection committees get to know you from other
people's viewpoints. Therefore, the letters you send should reflect
a holistic view of you: your academic career, community service, leadership
abilities, etc.
- When you ask someone
to write a letter of recommendation for you, give that person a copy
of your resume as well. Professors have many students, and this will
not only refresh their memories, but also give them strategic "talking
points."
- Remember that people who write a recommendation for you are taking time out of their busy days to so. A thank you note will make them feel appreciated.
Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy!
- The information
requested for the biographical sheet may seem like an endlessly tedious
exercise, but it is information important to the scholarship selection
committee. Make sure your bio sheet is both complete and accurate. Obvious
mistakes will put their confidence in your other information at stake.
- There is no one-size-fits-all bio sheet. The information you put together for one scholarship may overlap with another, but the chances of the same bio sheet fulfilling the complete requirements for both are slim.
Transcripts
- When you order
transcripts to be sent to a scholarship foundation, request a set for
yourself. When you receive your copy, you will have an idea of when
they went out to the scholarship foundations.
- However, DO NOT ASSUME that they have arrived at the appropriate desk of the scholarship foundation. After you receive your copy, check to confirm they have arrived at the appropriate office. Your campus representative can best inform you of the route to do so.
Resume
- Just as there
is no one-size-fits-all bio sheet, there is no one-size-fits-all resume.
The key words in the scholarship mission statement and/or application
instructions should be reflected in you resume. Show how you fit their
requirements!
- Do not overlook small community services you participated in, or minor honors you earned. These are all excellent bits of information to add to your resume.
Personal Statement
- Your personal
statement is an opportunity to include a little narrative which shows
(not tells) insights about you and your goals. It is also an opportunity
to show that you can express yourself economically, elegantly, and logically.
- Be sure that you
answer the essay prompt completely and specifically.
- This type of writing takes several drafts and reflection. It cannot be dashed off at the last minute. Feedback from several other individuals will help you see your essay other than through your own eyes. The Writing Center is an excellent resource for such feedback.
Proposed Project or Academic Program
- It is important
that you visualize each step of your proposed project or academic program,
research each aspect, and then reflect all the relevant logistics in
your write-up. Don't forget to research a budget!
- You should also
express the value of your project to yourself, the discipline, and the
host country if you are traveling abroad, etc.
.
Almost Final Check
- By the time you finish your application packet, you will have put in many hours of work on it. Even if you are tired of organizing, revising, editing, and following up on letters and transcripts, go over your check list to make sure it is all there. Have someone else double-check it as well.
Final Check
- Repeat the above.
Contact
us: honors@wsu.edu 509 335-4505 |
Accessibility | Copyright
| Policies
Honors College, PO Box 642012, Washington
State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2012 USA