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When is the best time to start looking out for scholarships, and internships?
I am interested in beginning my journey toward focusing on my future and career. I would like to get some information to manage my thoughts and plans.
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Doc’s Answer
Michelle most scholarship application deadlines will occur during the regular academic year, typically September through May. While this does give you some time to apply for scholarships, it still is a good idea to start searching for scholarships early. Many of the scholarships with the largest awards have the earliest deadlines. In addition to meeting scholarship deadlines, it’s key to know what you need to accomplish in the application process. Online scholarship application forms may only require response essays, which can be completed quickly. On the other hand, a scholarship that requests a well-researched essay or a variety of supporting materials will take longer to complete. In addition to budgeting time well, you should complete the application to the best of your ability, solicit feedback from peers and professionals, and also acquire supporting materials (i.e., letters of recommendation and/or official transcripts).
Michelle When you see a scholarship for $500, do you skip over it and look at the scholarship for $10,000 instead? Here’s a little secret: scholarships with a smaller award amount don’t get the same volume of applications as a $10,000 scholarship, meaning your odds are better. So don’t skim over the small amounts – that’s $500 less you have to pay for college, right? And if you win several $500 scholarships, that can really add up. If you haven’t heard this already, you’re hearing it now: winning scholarships is a numbers game, and the more you apply, the better your chance of actually winning. Essentially, if you want to win a scholarship giving up is not an option; no matter how tired, frustrated or rejected you feel because of the process.
Hope this is helpful Michelle
Michelle When you see a scholarship for $500, do you skip over it and look at the scholarship for $10,000 instead? Here’s a little secret: scholarships with a smaller award amount don’t get the same volume of applications as a $10,000 scholarship, meaning your odds are better. So don’t skim over the small amounts – that’s $500 less you have to pay for college, right? And if you win several $500 scholarships, that can really add up. If you haven’t heard this already, you’re hearing it now: winning scholarships is a numbers game, and the more you apply, the better your chance of actually winning. Essentially, if you want to win a scholarship giving up is not an option; no matter how tired, frustrated or rejected you feel because of the process.
Hope this is helpful Michelle
Thank you so much, John!
Michelle
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Michelle,
I'll answer the internship part of your question. Most companies in the Bay Area that have summer internship programs have a structured process for hiring their intern class. Typically, summer internships will be 10-week programs from June - August to accommodate for most university summer schedules. There could be a mix of undergrad or graduate level internships depending on the department (e.g. departments like strategy, product management, or product marketing tend to prefer MBA student interns). Hiring could be on a rolling basis, though most structured programs start interviewing at the beginning of the calendar year, so during the typical 2nd semester. Where I work, all of our interns were hired by the end of March / early April for June start dates.
Where to search:
- Create a list of companies you would like to work for one day, and look at their career or jobs page.
- Browse LinkedIn for "intern" jobs in your area
When to search:
- Start applying in January/February. When you see the volume of open intern roles on LinkedIn start to pick up, you may have more luck directly applying on company websites.
Pro tip:
- Try to find connections at the companies you're interested in for referrals. That should at least get you in the door for an initial hiring screen.
Create a list of target companies
Starting in January, look on the company career/job pages every couple of weeks for new intern job openings
I'll answer the internship part of your question. Most companies in the Bay Area that have summer internship programs have a structured process for hiring their intern class. Typically, summer internships will be 10-week programs from June - August to accommodate for most university summer schedules. There could be a mix of undergrad or graduate level internships depending on the department (e.g. departments like strategy, product management, or product marketing tend to prefer MBA student interns). Hiring could be on a rolling basis, though most structured programs start interviewing at the beginning of the calendar year, so during the typical 2nd semester. Where I work, all of our interns were hired by the end of March / early April for June start dates.
Where to search:
- Create a list of companies you would like to work for one day, and look at their career or jobs page.
- Browse LinkedIn for "intern" jobs in your area
When to search:
- Start applying in January/February. When you see the volume of open intern roles on LinkedIn start to pick up, you may have more luck directly applying on company websites.
Pro tip:
- Try to find connections at the companies you're interested in for referrals. That should at least get you in the door for an initial hiring screen.
Morgan recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Michelle
Updated
Sofia’s Answer
Hi! For scholarships, I’d start looking a year in advance. Most scholarships for college will have a deadline in the spring, so it’s useful to look them up ahead of time to know what the application requirements are.
For internships, this depends on what industry you want to go into. A lot of finance internships will have applications due the fall before the summer. (So Aug 2022 for a June 2023 internship for example) while a lot of the tech ones are a bit later on in the year around dec/spring time.
For both of these you can start looking at what potential programs you want to apply to as they will have information listed on their website about their latest cycle. That way you can know when the next application date will be around
For internships, this depends on what industry you want to go into. A lot of finance internships will have applications due the fall before the summer. (So Aug 2022 for a June 2023 internship for example) while a lot of the tech ones are a bit later on in the year around dec/spring time.
For both of these you can start looking at what potential programs you want to apply to as they will have information listed on their website about their latest cycle. That way you can know when the next application date will be around
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Michelle
Updated
William’s Answer
Hello Mitchel!
You search for scholarships at the application stage. Available funds - grants, scholarships and financial aids may be some reasons that influence your choice of schools.
Success!
You search for scholarships at the application stage. Available funds - grants, scholarships and financial aids may be some reasons that influence your choice of schools.
Success!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Michelle
Updated
Donnie’s Answer
Hi Michelle,
I agree with what everyone else has said. You should check your school office and ask about available scholarships as soon as the school year begins. Most students start looking for scholarships when they are in the 11th grade, but some scholarships may have restrictions for 12th grade only. Talk to your guidance counselor about your desired career path and maybe they can assist you with matching available scholarships. I hope this helps. Good luck!
I agree with what everyone else has said. You should check your school office and ask about available scholarships as soon as the school year begins. Most students start looking for scholarships when they are in the 11th grade, but some scholarships may have restrictions for 12th grade only. Talk to your guidance counselor about your desired career path and maybe they can assist you with matching available scholarships. I hope this helps. Good luck!