Where do I start? When do I begin? It takes time to prepare your scholarship application so we thought we’d offer you a few recommendations.

Suggestions

• Remember, your scholarship application represents YOU!
• Give your application the time, attention, and preparation it deserves.
• READ and follow the instructions carefully.
• Type or print neatly.
• Don’t leave any questions blank or unanswered.
• Review your work – especially your personal statement. Be specific and answer all of the questions you’re asked. Also, be personal. It’s your job to make your essay stand out from the rest. Check the spelling and grammar. Ask a parent, friend, or teacher to proof read your completed application.
• Be honest and be yourself.
• If asked, don’t be afraid to highlight your strengths, your accomplishments, and yourself. Be truthful and open.
• Make certain the people you ask to write your letters of recommendation know you well. In the letter, ask them to include your name, how they know you, and in what capacity. Also, be sure to send thank you letters to the individuals who wrote your letters of recommendation.
• WATCH FOR DEADLINES – financial aid and scholarship offices follow them faithfully!
• You are responsible for making sure your application is complete and arrives on time. If letters of recommendation or official transcripts are required, give individuals who will be providing these documents to you enough time to get them together. Also, be sure to give them a stamped, addressed envelope if recommendations are to be mailed separately.
• MAKE A COPY OF THE COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR YOUR FILE.
• Finally – keep a written record of all scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses.

Writing your Personal Statement

In our opinion, the personal statement is probably the most difficult part of your scholarship application to complete. However, it’s also the part of your application where you can shine and stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Scholarship selection committees review hundreds, if not thousands, of personal statements and it’s your job to get their attention when they read your essay. The key to writing a strong personal statement is to be truthful and honest and include details about yourself so the reader can get to know who you are and what you stand for. Also, be sure to answer the questions.

Here are a few helpful tips:

• Think before you write. Brainstorm on your own, or ask family, friends, or teachers to help you generate ideas. Afterward, create an outline to help get you going. If you have specific questions to address, be sure that you express them clearly.
• Be original and be creative in your answers.
• Show, don’t tell. Use examples to personalize your essay and demonstrate the point you want to make. You’ll avoid vagueness and make a stronger impression.
• Know your audience. Personal statements are not “one size fits all”. Write an essay that fits the requirements of the organization and scholarship application.
• Neatness counts. Make sure your personal statement is typed and adheres to the guidelines.
• Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! This is very important because you don’t want to have any errors. Also, be sure to check your spelling and grammar. Ask someone you trust to review your essay. Another pair of eyes can catch errors you might have missed!
• Create a portrait of a winner. By doing this on paper, you’ll create a vivid portrait of yourself and who you are behind the grades, activities, and awards. If a committee member feels like he/she knows you from reading your essay, you’ve done your job by creating a powerful emotional connection that elevates your application and makes it stand out from the others.

How are scholarship applications judged?

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew what scholarship selection committees look for in an application? Unfortunately (or fortunately), everyone is different in how they review an application. It’s your job to ensure that the application is complete and neat. Remember, committee members have to review hundreds of scholarship applications and you’ll want yours to make it to the final cut.

Here are a few areas where scholarship selection committees pay attention:

• Academics. While it’s important to have a competitive GPA, committee members do consider how challenging your course load has been. Also, they will check to see if you are taking the right courses to reach your goals and how well you did in those courses. They also review your overall academic progress – how you’ve progressed over the last few years.
• Leadership. If this is part of the criteria for a scholarship, committee members may examine your extra-curricular activities or work experience, how long you have been involved, and your leadership roles.
• Service. Community service is a key component in many scholarships. Committee members are interested in the role you have played in your community or religious activities.
• Creativity. You can show your creative side by indicating that you play an instrument, write poetry, paint landscapes, act in school plays, etc. Demonstrate your ability by including copies of your work (if permissible in the application) and letting committee members know if you have won special award(s) or received any honors.
• Special Circumstances. If you have overcome any personal circumstances or obstacles in achieving your goals, the selection committee will want to know about it. Let them know how you have achieved your goals in spite of the roadblocks you may have faced.