Hannah
How do I stand out when applying for scholarships?
How should I stand apart from others applying to the same scholarships as me and what are ways to look unique to scholarship committees?
#scholarships #scholarship #college
2 answers
Robert Cross
Robert’s Answer
Hi Hannah, the good news is that there are tons of scholarships out there, some
very nroad and some very specialized. In addition to the specific criteria, most of the organizations doing the granting of scholarships want to see a “well rounded” individual: community service/volunteering, work experience, extracurricular activities, etc.
Find programs and organizations that you identify with, that are meaningful to who you are and what drives you, and work or colter there. That will not only help build your resume, but more importantly it will help you identify what’s really important to you and what your true passions are. And ultimately that will serve to help
align you with scholarships as well as find a fulfilling path for yourself.
Good luck! You’re at a great time in your life! Be positive and keep believing in your dreams!
Your answer is great Robert, thanks so much for sharing your expertise! At this moment there are more than 800 unanswered questions so I wanted to encourage you to keep going! So many students will benefit tremendously from hearing from you. Keep up the great work!
Jordan Rivera, Admin
COACH
Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
In my experience, when reviewing applications for scholarships, scholarship committees focus on many things. They can look at need (also known as merit-based scholarships), grades, they seek candidates that can be a good representation of the goals of the scholarship...and many, many other elements. I suggest, too that scholarship committees will spend time zeroing on two important elements...the quality of your application and the extent to which they can gauge your authenticity...more specifically, what can they learn about you through your application.
It helps to have strong written skills. For some that comes naturally and for others like me, it took time and practice. To be clear, it is important, when applying for scholarships, to answer the question that is asked, as thoroughly as possible and not get tripped up in providing an answer that doesn't match was the application is seeking. I also mentioned authenticity. It is good practice, when applying for scholarships, to find ways for the scholarship to see on paper (or I guess in some sort of digital form as well) , what kind of candidate/person you are and why you deserve to be considered for their scholarship. As you rightly understand, applying for and getting scholarships is a competition and these committees generally have a wide array of applicants to choose from. It is important that applicants share why they, the student that is applying, is the best choice in a way that reaches members of the deciding committee.
Lastly, your scholarship application is a reflection of you. Ensure that your application is neat, orderly and submitted on time. Best of luck to you in this process!