Samantha
Are scholarships worth it?
I applied to numerous amount of scholarships when I was in undergraduate school and I received one that was through one of my professor's friend. However, the ones I applied online from all of the scholarship search engines came up blank. I am now applying to graduate school and I am wondering if there is anybody out there that have actually won one of these scholarships? Are they worth the time I am spending applying or would I be better off just picking up another shift at work? #college #scholarships #graduateschool #payingforcollege
3 answers
Kelly Desso
Kelly’s Answer
I paid my own way through my undergraduate studies, so I completely understand the struggle of juggling two full-time jobs to avoid being buried under a mountain of loan repayments. The scholarships I applied for were mainly advertised by my school and local organizations, rather than on online platforms. Why, you ask? Well, online platforms draw applicants from all corners of the country, all studying the same subjects, which means you could potentially be up against thousands of other hopefuls. If the scholarship is advertised as "No essay required" or "GPA isn't everything," the competition can be even more intense, making it harder for you to shine. Scholarships offered by your school are generally easier to get because there are fewer applicants, and the selection committee is likely to be more familiar with your work.
When I was working towards my first M.S. degree, I only enrolled after I found an employer who was willing to foot the bill! This is an option that many working people overlook. Even if you can't get your tuition fees completely covered, some employers offer to reimburse some of your educational expenses. So, when you're job hunting, make sure to check out the benefits package. The only downside is that you might have to choose a major or a school that your employer approves of, or you might have to repay some of the expenses if you leave the job within a certain period after finishing your studies. But all things considered, I found this to be the easiest path.
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Whitney Vincenti
Whitney’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
I believe scholarships are worth it. Anything to bring down the cost of school and what you potentially will have to owe back will help with your future. I would apply to scholarships that may be specific to you. Try and find scholarships specifically for physical therapy school. This would decrease the number of applicants in comparison to a general scholarship, giving you a better chance or receiving it. If you use www.fastweb.com, you can put in specifics about yourself and they narrow down the scholarships that fit you best. You don't need to let applying for scholarships overwhelm you and take up all your time. By narrowing down your options so that they are suited for you, can help you spend less time applying and a better chance of receiving them.
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