- Engage in an activity you find fulfilling:
Be yourself, was the piece of advise we heard from every school counselor we spoke with.
Do not consider this approach an attempt to conform to the profile of a “scholarship winner.” Participate in organizations that you are enthusiastic about and pursue the activities you enjoy.
There are countless organizations out there that are interested in funding high-achieving students’ endeavors. Not all scholarships demand that you play an instrument, be on the school newspaper, or engage in a sport.
- Quality is preferable than quantity.
Choose a few things to do, and do them well. Most scholarship committees like to know that you invested significant amounts of time in a select few activities rather than seeing that you engaged in dozens of activities for 5 minutes each.
Scholarship selection committees look for applicants who have accomplished something of value or who have made considerable progress toward a goal. You show that you are a dedicated and responsible person by fully committing to an activity.
- LEAD instead of just participate!
Scholarship selection committees favor independent thinkers. They seek students who will make the most of the opportunities provided by a college education.
Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate as much leadership and initiative as you can once you have decided on the things you are interested in. Start a recycling program instead than just joining the environmental club. Run for treasurer if you are a member of the Spanish club.
- Establish Your Identity:
Be friendly with the school counselors and teachers. They may be excellent sources of details about further education, scholarships, and other possibilities in your school and neighborhood.
Additionally, a lot of scholarships demand recommendation letters. They will be better able to offer powerful recommendations if you have developed close ties with a few teachers and counselors. This may be the deciding factor between making the finals and receiving a scholarship.
- Keep a Record of Your Successes:
Do not simply discard your “A” papers or your ribbons for first place. Create a file in which you can keep all of these significant prizes and paperwork. Later on, when you are putting together your scholarship and college application materials, you will find them useful.
An excellent English essay could inspire you to write a strong scholarship essay. You might make a list of all your high school accomplishments using a collection of your Speech Team ribbons.
- Be Afraid:
Don’t undersell yourself. The majority of kids can recount one accomplishment or two. The quickest way to be rejected is to not even apply.