How To: Scholarships

1. How To:Scholarships Majority of this presentation is a compilation of tips from various scholarship websites. I have thrown in a few pieces of my own advice. Tips on Scholarship Searching, Essays, and Interviewing by Kim Weis, Counselor BHS and GT Enrichment Coordinator TVHS

2. 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

3. 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

4. Top 5 Scholarship Search Engines • The College Board: www.collegeboard.com • CollegeNET: www.collegenet.com • Fast Web: www.fastweb.com • Scholarships.com: www.scholarships.com • 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

5. 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/

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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! Sources: www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html www.emmawillard.org/faqs/college-resources/college-interview

15. Scholarship Interview: General Tips Cont. • 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 Sources: www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html www.emmawillard.org/faqs/college-resources/college-interview

16. Scholarship Interview: General Tips Cont. • 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 Sources: www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html www.emmawillard.org/faqs/college-resources/college-interview

17. 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? Sources: www.expd.washington.edu/scholarships/current-undergraduate/tips-and-tools/preparing-for-scholarship-interviews.html www.emmawillard.org/faqs/college-resources/college-interview

18. 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.

19. 4Key Things to Remember • It is yourresponsibility 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 • 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 • The kids that get more money, put more work into it: searching, essays, etc. • 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

20. 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 • Kim.weis@thompsonschools.org