Scholarship 101 – Competitive Scholarship Smarts!

            by  Maryann Stickney, NJACAC Scholarship Chair and retired Montville Twp. High School Counselor

 

 

Attention:   High School Seniors and/or College sophomores - - - - -

Winning scholarship money upfront means you will owe less money after college graduation.  Is this your goal?

 

Winning scholarship money is like a competition.  In the competition, you must “read” the directions and make strategic decisions to go forward.  Think about your best skills, aptitude and abilities.  Ask yourself these following self questions:

           

1. Have “your” talents, contributions, hours, been noted in your essay?

2. How did “you” accomplish your task?

3. Under what conditions did “you” accomplish your goals?

4. Did “you” influence others or develop/create something?

5. Because of “you”, what changes were made in clubs/activities or personal development?

6. Have “you” missed any important detail in “your’ successful application?

7. Have you injected some “humor” or “enthusiasm” in your essay?

 

To be eligible, ensure all information needed for the NJACAC Scholarship is included in one package.

Based on 297 applicants for our 2007 NJACAC Scholarships, the following suggestions are made:

 

Hints for High school student from Scholarship committee members

Submit the following:  essay, official transcript, GPA, Rank (if provided), only 2 recommendations and your NJACAC member school counselor’s signature.  Note that only complete applications will be read.

 

Hints for College students from Scholarship committee members

Only complete applications will be read, ie., essay, official college transcript including spring courses – name of present college attending, two recommendations, and NJACAC member admission representative’s signature (check with your admissions office to see if they are a member)

 

Hints for all candidates – Students ask:

 

Q: Must my two recommenders be familiar with my achievements?

                       

A: Committee members suggest sending only two recommendations.  The letters should support your essay, activities, talents and/or involvement

 

Q: Should I send an application if it is past deadline date?

                       

A: Committee members indicate past deadline applications will eliminate your candidacy

 

Q: How should the candidate present themselves?

                       

A: Committee members indicate that an enthusiastic, positive, accurate, and upbeat essay is usually the winner

 

Q: Should the candidate be an agent of “change”?

                       

A: Committee members hope that your impact on your club or activity is evident by your essay statements.  How you influence others as well as yourself in a positive manner is considered.

 

In conclusion, after finishing your essay, ask yourself:  Did you persuade committee readers about “you” and “your involvement”?  Presenting yourself takes energy, focus, thought, organization and clarity.   Your time is needed to win the prize – Scholarship dollars.  Good luck!

 

Applications are now located at  http://www.njacac.com/scholarship.htm,  NJACAC’s ABC College book;

or   WWW.FASTWEB.com for the 2008-2009 NJACAC scholarship application. 

Good luck!

 

 

After April 9, 2008, winners’ names will be found on the NJACAC Scholarship web site.