Scholarship Workshop

Scholarship Workshop Erik N. Ashby, MLS Weber State University-Davis Coordinator; Student Programs & Services

Student Programs & Services ~Education is the Avenue to Change~ Student Programs & Services help students obtain the tools and support they need to successfully enter and thrive in school.

Getting Started "The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action. ~Choose to Act."

Objective • To learn some basic strategies to complete all components of a scholarship application process.

Workshop Agenda • Myths & Facts • Scholarship Search Strategies • Basic Application Tips • Resume • Personal Statement • Interviews • Follow-Up

Myths & Facts • Myth… • You must be an “A” student to win a scholarship. • Fact… • Having an “A” average alone will not guarantee you a scholarship. Need based scholarships are available

Myth… • Billions of scholarship dollars go unused every year. • Fact… • Although some scholarship money is unclaimed each year, this money is often earmarked for students with very specific qualifications such as a particular last name or some unusual characteristic. For instance, students who are Catholic and have the last name of Zolp may be eligible for a full tuition four-year scholarship at Loyola University.

Myth… • You cannot win a scholarship if you do not have financial need. Or, middle class students cannot get money for college. • Fact… • Middle class students can win money for college. Although they may not be eligible for some need-based scholarship programs, they still have numerous opportunities to win merit scholarships.

Myth… • Grades and ACT/SAT scores are the only factors you need to worry about for winning scholarships • Fact… • Having good grades and high SAT scores are definitely important. However, you still need to have a history of participation and growth in extracurricular activities as well as involvement in your community to win scholarships.

Scholarship Search Strategies • Create a personal inventory • Financial Aid options (loans, grants, internships, employment) • Career Goals? Field of Study? • Start small and grow big.. Local to National…. • The Weber State Scholarship Office/Application

Scholarship Search Strategies • Check membership organizations • Churches, Employer, national organizations for your major • Scholarships offered through University Depts./programs • Tuition Waivers (i.e. Student Involvement Center, Women’s Center) • Utilize other University’s online resources • Avoid Scholarship Scams!!!!!!!!

Basic Application Tips • Verify deadlines. Get Everything in Early!!! • Scholarship Season: Nov-March • Print or type responses in black ink. • Respond to ALL questions. • Provide current contact information. • Highlight your strengths and achievements. • Be specific. • Include a professional resume. • Proofread your application for spelling and grammar mistakes.

Basic Application Tips • Major • GPA • Community Involvement • Ethnicity • Gender • Financial Need • Educational Goals • Membership

Basic Scholarship Tips • Read eligibility requirements CAREFULLY and THOROUGHLY. • Keep extra official transcripts. • Request letters of recommendation at least one month in advance. • Make several copies of the application so you can start fresh if you make mistakes. • Check spelling and grammar. • Answer all questions. • Be concise • Make at least 2 copies of your application for your personal file.

Resume 101 Resumes: Powerful Marketing Tools Summarizes your education and experience, highlighting most relevant qualifications • Prepares you mentally to present a strong and focused interview • Helps structure the interview in your favor • Reminds the interviewer of your best points

Before Starting • Review the requirements (e.g. job description) of the position you are applying for • Ensure your resume demonstrates you have the skills, abilities, and knowledge defined in the job description • Use action words (verbs) before the task you include for each position • Include a cover letter to link your skills to those in the job description

Resume: Step by Step • Personal Data • Name, address, phone, and email • Objective • Brief and related to the job title • Educational Information • Colleges attended, major, degree earned or expected • Experience • Full and part-time, internships, and volunteer work • Skills • Computer, languages spoken • Honors and Activities • College activities, Dean’s list, other academic honors

Erik N. Ashby 1250 Bellflower Blvd. (562) 985 - 0000 Long Beach, CA 90840 erikashby@weber.edu Resume Layout – Personal Data • Name, address, phone, and email • Professional email address • Professional voice mail on cell phone • Tailor header for visual appeal

Resume Layout - Objective • Make it specific to the job or general (especially if passing out multiple resumes) • Brief, simple, and related to the job title you are applying for Objective: Internship in Advertising

Full and part-time, paid/unpaid internships, and volunteer work Reverse chronological order Use key “action verbs” from job description; emphasize achievements while on the job Resume Layout – Experience

Computer skills Use proper names for software skills – include those specific to the profession (e.g. engineering, computer science, etc.) Indicate languages in which you are fluent Resume Layout – Special Skills

College activities, Scholarships, Dean’s list, Recognition, Certificates, Leadership roles, etc. Include item if it supports your candidacy for position identified in your objective Honors Dean’s List Ronald McDonald Scholarship Recipient Employee of the Month Certificate - Organizations Peer Mentor, Cerritos College Scholars Honors Program Participant English Tutor, Learning Resource Center Secretary, Project Hope - Resume Layout – Honors and Activities

Resume Basic Checklist • Length & Materials: • One letter size page preferred (second page accepted for those with extensive experience) • 1” margins • White, cream, light gray paper • Font & Size Type: • Arial, Bookman, Helvetica, and Times are acceptable • 10 - 14 point font acceptable (12 point font suggested)

Resume Do’s • Research the company beforehand • Proofread your resume • Put your name on top of page • Keep your objective simple • Provide a neat and visually appearing resume • Use key words as shown on job description • Add volunteer, internships, and extracurricular work

Resume Do’s • Have several resumes for different jobs you are considering • Market your skills: • Highlight skills, knowledge, and abilities • Quantify (e.g. increased sales by 20%) • Show leadership/organizational skills

Resume Don’ts • List an objective that has nothing to do with the job in question • Make your resumes too long • Never lie or over exaggerate • No grammatical errors; no clutter • State your age, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, birth place, etc. *But only if specific to scholarship*

Chronological Resume • Most commonly used format for students and recent graduates • Experience is listed chronologically beginning with the most recent position • Practical for individuals with jobs in the same field For more information on resumes contact: WSU Career Services

Personal Statement: Do’s and Dont’s • Just Do It! • Start brainstorming ideas. Focus on gathering ideas rather than trying to find the perfect beginning. • Create a list of achievements-both academic and professional (organize them chronologically or by specific categories). • Have your resume on hand to refer to. • Read several sample personal statements to gather ideas for themes, beginnings, and conclusions. • Make sure to answer the prompt/essay topic.

Personal Statement • Include a descriptions of specific achievements. • Keep the focus on your but give credit to resources-Eg: Professors, mentors, family members. • Create a unique opening paragraph. • Highlight qualities/skills that you don’t mention ion your application. Incorporate personal values. • Don’t criticize others or reveal too many personal details. Use careful judgment. • Don’t be vague. • Don’t begin with “Hello my name is . . .”

Personal Statement • Have someone else read your paper (preferable a professors and a trusted friend/family member). • Ask them if the paper sounds like you. Your essay should sound natural. • Set aside your essay for a few days and read in again with a “fresh” perspective.

Interview • Set aside 2-3 days to prepare for the interview. • Review your application, resume, and personal statement prior to the interview. • Craft some sample responses to commonly asked questions. Write them out and rehearse saying them out loud.

Interview • Arrive 10-15 minutes. • Dress professionally. • Shake hands firmly and greet everyone you meet in a professional and friendly manner. • Smile and sit up straight during the interview. • Make eye contact with all interviewers. • Be confident, enthusiastic, and poised.

Follow-Up • Send a handwritten thank-you note to the scholarship committee. • Mention specific details from the interview. • Be gracious, sincere, and brief in your note.

Questions?

Contact Information Thank you for joining us! For additional help, please contact Erik Ashby, Coordinator; Student Programs & Services Direct Line: 801-395-3514 erikashby@weber.edu Weber State University – Davis 2750 N. University Park Blvd Layton, UT 84041

Good Luck! We wish you the best of luck in your scholarship search 

Scholarship Workshop