Suggestions for Scholarship Seekers

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP SEEKERS

1. The best source for scholarship money is through the college you plan to attend. If scholarship money is essential, be flexible in your choices. You may have a better chance at a scholarship at one college than another.

1. Visit several schools. Call the admissions office and make an appointment. Be sure to ask about financial aid. Write a thank you note to the person who talks with you and your parents.

1. First impressions are important! Any application you fill out should reflect the best you have to offer. TYPE all applications unless they specify, “written in your own handwriting.” Proofread, and then have someone else proofread.

1. Collect three “generic” references to keep on file. These can be used over and over. This saves you from having to ask someone for a reference on short notice. One reference should be from someone who can attest to your academic skills; one should be about to attest to your character, leadership skills, and school and/or community involvement. Pastors, employers, community leaders make good references. A letter typed on letterhead is impressive.

1. Remember your social obligations:
2. Buy some plain thank you notes. Write one to anyone who does a reference for you or anyone at a college who helps you.
3. ALWAYS attend a dinner, banquet, or reception given in honor of scholarship recipients. If you accept their money, there is no excuse (other than serious illness) for not attending.
4. R.S.V.P. promptly.

1. It is a good idea to visit several different types of schools – a large state school, a smaller state school, a private college, one affiliated with your church, one of which you have never heard. You may be pleasantly surprised!! Nothing beats a first-hand look. Be a wise consumer.

1. Talk to college representatives who come to Glenn. Lunchtime setups in the cafeteria are announced and are posted on the “College Update” bulletin board. Practice your interviewing skills on them.

1. Read the “College Update” bulletin board and scholarship bulletin board outside Guidance every day. Scholarship memos will be available in Guidance.

1. Listen to the daily announcements on the intercom. This means money to you, so exert some peer pressure to encourage your first period class to listen. If you are in AP courses at the CareerCenter, be diligent about finding out what is going on at Glenn. This is YOUR responsibility.

1. Applying for scholarships is HARD WORK! Some scholarships are open to anyone who applies, so go for it. Some are by nominations of the Scholarship Committee.

1. Sometimes we are only allowed one or two applicants, so the Scholarship Committee selects the person or persons whom they feel has the best chance of winning.

1. If you are offered a chance at a scholarship through the Scholarship Committee and decide not to apply, RETURN THE APPLICATION THE VERY NEXT DAY. We have had several students who prevented other students from applying for scholarships because they simply did not let us know they were not interested. This hurts you, your classmates, and Glenn’s reputation.

1. Buy a BIG calendar and keep deadlines on it!

1. All scholarship applications are due in their COMPLETED FORM by the deadline given to you.

1. Keep your references so you can make copies to go with each application. This is your responsibility.

1. Make essays interesting. You may be the 300th one someone reads.

1. If a transcript is required. Request it from Mrs. Greene, giving her at least three days notice. She cannot guarantee you a transcript on the day a scholarship is due.

1. Do not turn in partial applications. Have it all together when you hand it in. The one exception is when we need to fill in certain parts. We will gladly help you with this, if you turn it in on time.

1. Follow directions explicitly.

1. If it says “optional”, do it anyway.

1. Do not waste your time if you do not meet the criteria.

1. Pull together your goals and plans. You will need to know what you want for essays and interviews.

1. You will write a resume for senior English early in the year. Save your resume on disk.

1. Make you intentions, dreams and desires known to your teachers and the Scholarship Committee.

1. Plan to take the SAT again in October,November, and/or December.

1. Stop by to browse in Guidance and use the materials to help you in your decision-making process.

1. Always dress to impress for an interview. Be ten minutes early. Write them a note thanking them for the opportunity to be interviewed.

1. Take advantage of opportunities for mock interviews.

1. Be prepared for disappointments, endless waiting, and no feedback at all.

1. Keep your grades high, take the most challenging courses possible, be involved in extra-curricular activities, take the SAT at least twice, and volunteer. Notimpossible…..but not easy!

1. It will be a busy year. A lot of planning will help you stay on top of it!