4 answers
Randi
Student
Sutherlin, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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How can I better my chances at getting a scholarship?
I’m from a small town and most of the kids around me do agricultural and the ones who don’t stay in Oregon but I don’t want to, I plan on attending a two year program in Oregon then a four year program out of state.
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4 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
If you are possibly looking at attending a two year or community college in Oregon, I would check the Foundation office, at the college that you are going to attend.
Many college foundations manage endowments and private scholarships from donors.
These scholarships can be based on a number of criteria, including your future major, occupation, ethnicity, college activities, and other elements.
So, I would check the college foundation, and see if they have any scholarships you qualify for, and can submit an application for consideration. Your chances might be better within a smaller two year college environment.
Many college foundations manage endowments and private scholarships from donors.
These scholarships can be based on a number of criteria, including your future major, occupation, ethnicity, college activities, and other elements.
So, I would check the college foundation, and see if they have any scholarships you qualify for, and can submit an application for consideration. Your chances might be better within a smaller two year college environment.
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Randi,
First, find out from your university what financial package they can offer you. If you have an excellent GPA and some interesting extracurricular activities, they might offer you a good deal. If you e.g. participate in Science Fair competitions and win some awards, that could really pay off. The university might also have additional scholarships.
Then you'll look for external scholarships, federal, state, employers, big companies or foundations.
Here are some options for you,:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/scholarships/osac-scholarship-application/
https://oregongoestocollege.org/pay/scholarships
https://www.policechief.org/programs/college-scholarship-program/
https://oregontrio.org/scholarships/
I hope this helps. There are many more scholarships. Filter out the most interesting ones, note the timelines and what's required and start writing.
Good luck on your path!
KP
First, find out from your university what financial package they can offer you. If you have an excellent GPA and some interesting extracurricular activities, they might offer you a good deal. If you e.g. participate in Science Fair competitions and win some awards, that could really pay off. The university might also have additional scholarships.
Then you'll look for external scholarships, federal, state, employers, big companies or foundations.
Here are some options for you,:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/scholarships/osac-scholarship-application/
https://oregongoestocollege.org/pay/scholarships
https://www.policechief.org/programs/college-scholarship-program/
https://oregontrio.org/scholarships/
I hope this helps. There are many more scholarships. Filter out the most interesting ones, note the timelines and what's required and start writing.
Good luck on your path!
KP
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Randi,
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Securing a scholarship can be a crucial step in achieving your educational goals, especially if you come from a small town with limited resources. Here are some strategies to enhance your chances of obtaining a scholarship:
1. Research and Apply for Scholarships Early: Start your search for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships have early application deadlines, so it’s important to begin the process well in advance. Research local, state, and national scholarships that align with your academic and career goals.
2. Maintain a Strong Academic Record: Academic achievement is often a key factor in scholarship selection. Strive to maintain a high GPA and excel in standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Additionally, consider taking advanced placement (AP) or honors courses to demonstrate your academic rigor.
3. Pursue Extracurricular Activities: In addition to academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities can make you a more competitive scholarship candidate. Participate in clubs, sports, community service, or leadership roles to showcase your well-rounded skills and interests.
4. Write Compelling Essays: Many scholarship applications require essays or personal statements. Take the time to craft thoughtful and compelling essays that highlight your achievements, aspirations, and how the scholarship will support your educational journey.
5. Seek Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation can bolster your scholarship applications. Build positive relationships with teachers, mentors, or employers who can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential for success.
6. Explore Unique Scholarships: Look for scholarships that cater to specific interests or backgrounds. As someone interested in medicine from a small town in Oregon, you may qualify for scholarships related to healthcare, rural communities, or underrepresented demographics.
7. Demonstrate Financial Need: Some scholarships prioritize students with demonstrated financial need. Be transparent about your financial circumstances and provide any required documentation to support your application.
8. Prepare for Interviews: If a scholarship includes an interview component, prepare thoroughly by practicing common interview questions and articulating how the scholarship aligns with your academic and career aspirations.
9. Utilize Scholarship Search Engines: Take advantage of online scholarship search engines such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board’s Scholarship Search to identify relevant opportunities based on your background and interests.
10. Stay Organized and Persistent: Keep track of application deadlines, requirements, and submission materials for each scholarship you pursue. Persistence is key; continue applying for scholarships even if you face initial rejections.
By implementing these strategies and staying proactive in your pursuit of scholarships, you can increase your likelihood of securing financial support for your educational endeavors.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. The College Board
The College Board is a reputable source for information on college admissions, standardized testing (SAT), financial aid resources including scholarships, and guidance on academic preparation for higher education.
2. Fastweb
Fastweb is a leading online scholarship search engine that provides access to a vast database of scholarships tailored to individual student profiles and interests.
3. Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com offers comprehensive resources for finding scholarships, financial aid information, and tips for navigating the scholarship application process.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Securing a scholarship can be a crucial step in achieving your educational goals, especially if you come from a small town with limited resources. Here are some strategies to enhance your chances of obtaining a scholarship:
1. Research and Apply for Scholarships Early: Start your search for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships have early application deadlines, so it’s important to begin the process well in advance. Research local, state, and national scholarships that align with your academic and career goals.
2. Maintain a Strong Academic Record: Academic achievement is often a key factor in scholarship selection. Strive to maintain a high GPA and excel in standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Additionally, consider taking advanced placement (AP) or honors courses to demonstrate your academic rigor.
3. Pursue Extracurricular Activities: In addition to academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities can make you a more competitive scholarship candidate. Participate in clubs, sports, community service, or leadership roles to showcase your well-rounded skills and interests.
4. Write Compelling Essays: Many scholarship applications require essays or personal statements. Take the time to craft thoughtful and compelling essays that highlight your achievements, aspirations, and how the scholarship will support your educational journey.
5. Seek Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation can bolster your scholarship applications. Build positive relationships with teachers, mentors, or employers who can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential for success.
6. Explore Unique Scholarships: Look for scholarships that cater to specific interests or backgrounds. As someone interested in medicine from a small town in Oregon, you may qualify for scholarships related to healthcare, rural communities, or underrepresented demographics.
7. Demonstrate Financial Need: Some scholarships prioritize students with demonstrated financial need. Be transparent about your financial circumstances and provide any required documentation to support your application.
8. Prepare for Interviews: If a scholarship includes an interview component, prepare thoroughly by practicing common interview questions and articulating how the scholarship aligns with your academic and career aspirations.
9. Utilize Scholarship Search Engines: Take advantage of online scholarship search engines such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board’s Scholarship Search to identify relevant opportunities based on your background and interests.
10. Stay Organized and Persistent: Keep track of application deadlines, requirements, and submission materials for each scholarship you pursue. Persistence is key; continue applying for scholarships even if you face initial rejections.
By implementing these strategies and staying proactive in your pursuit of scholarships, you can increase your likelihood of securing financial support for your educational endeavors.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. The College Board
The College Board is a reputable source for information on college admissions, standardized testing (SAT), financial aid resources including scholarships, and guidance on academic preparation for higher education.
2. Fastweb
Fastweb is a leading online scholarship search engine that provides access to a vast database of scholarships tailored to individual student profiles and interests.
3. Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com offers comprehensive resources for finding scholarships, financial aid information, and tips for navigating the scholarship application process.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Richard Thornton
Aerospace Engineer
20
Answers
Robbinsville, New Jersey
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Randi, it is wonderful to see you have a well thought out plan for your future and that you are already looking into scholarships - in fact that is the first step to give yourself an advantage, start looking early and ask around.
Scholarships come from many different places including places of work, various charitable organizations, and of course the largest are from educational institutions themselves. I've linked a great source to get started below, but be sure to ask your counselor for local opportunities - they may also know of scholarships that are best tuned to your background and future interests.
The next step is to narrow your focus to the scholarships you believe you have the best possibility at and suit your goals. Scholarships are much like internship applications where you don't quite yet have a career of experience to speak to, but you can emphasize your interests, your extracurriculars, and your performance in school. That means of course, doing well in your classes and if possible, scoring well on standardized tests. The reason you may want to narrow how many you apply to is that these can be lengthy applications and the more you put into a few, the more likely you'll be accepted. Opinions on this may differ, but I'd recommend getting an idea of how many you want to apply to and take a look at what the process is like for each - depending on the time required, you may choose to limit or add to how many you apply.
And of course, as I mentioned, the process is much like applying for an internship so having a strong and well-rounded background is important (particularly in the areas that the scholarship cares about - i.e. a science or math background for a scholarship in STEM). Depending on where you are in the process, try finding relevant after school opportunities that you can speak to in the application. You may also want to emphasize what makes you unique given where you're coming from and what you want to achieve - showing you have goals is a great way to emphasize your determination and self-motivation. Of course don't make it your only goal to build up your resume, find something that interests you and consider it an early peak into what a career in that field may look like. Hopefully it all ties together to supporting your venture into the medical field!
Try here to get started: https://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/
Scholarships come from many different places including places of work, various charitable organizations, and of course the largest are from educational institutions themselves. I've linked a great source to get started below, but be sure to ask your counselor for local opportunities - they may also know of scholarships that are best tuned to your background and future interests.
The next step is to narrow your focus to the scholarships you believe you have the best possibility at and suit your goals. Scholarships are much like internship applications where you don't quite yet have a career of experience to speak to, but you can emphasize your interests, your extracurriculars, and your performance in school. That means of course, doing well in your classes and if possible, scoring well on standardized tests. The reason you may want to narrow how many you apply to is that these can be lengthy applications and the more you put into a few, the more likely you'll be accepted. Opinions on this may differ, but I'd recommend getting an idea of how many you want to apply to and take a look at what the process is like for each - depending on the time required, you may choose to limit or add to how many you apply.
And of course, as I mentioned, the process is much like applying for an internship so having a strong and well-rounded background is important (particularly in the areas that the scholarship cares about - i.e. a science or math background for a scholarship in STEM). Depending on where you are in the process, try finding relevant after school opportunities that you can speak to in the application. You may also want to emphasize what makes you unique given where you're coming from and what you want to achieve - showing you have goals is a great way to emphasize your determination and self-motivation. Of course don't make it your only goal to build up your resume, find something that interests you and consider it an early peak into what a career in that field may look like. Hopefully it all ties together to supporting your venture into the medical field!
Richard recommends the following next steps: