For those that are ready to attend college, there’s probably a good chance that you’re going to set out and look for opportunities that help you pay for college. Whether it’s a grant or a scholarship, did you know that there are some things that you can do to set yourself above the rest? With thousands upon thousands of scholarships out there, here are five key things that you can do to set yourself above the rest that are applying:
#1 Are you Qualified?
The biggest mistake that many people make when applying for a scholarship is they usually don’t look at the qualifications. What you have to realize is that many scholarships out there are designated for certain people. So if the scholarship is designed for future doctors and you’re going into engineering, you probably won’t qualify! So in the end, always make sure that you meet every single qualification.
#2 Follow Directions
Even though you may qualify for a scholarship, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be considered. One thing that scholarship administrators hate is when people don’t follow instructions. If they ask for a 500-word essay and you just include a 100-word summary, do you think they are going to consider you? They are going to go after those that show dedication and follow the directions to a T.
#3 Be Honest
With any any scholarship application, you have to make sure that you stand out, and by standing out, you always have to be honest. Don’t write about the things that you think they want to hear, but instead, write personally about your life and be honest. If they ask about your weaknesses, be honest! If they ask about the things you struggle with in life, be honest! I think you get the point here that people want to see a real applicant and not someone that is fake.
#4 Get Multiple Reviews
Before you even consider submitting the application, try to have other people look at the application. By doing this, they are going to be able to point out your mistakes and they can even offer an opinion. If possible, try to get a review from someone in that particular field. Let’s say that the scholarship was for future doctors. If you were going into medical school, try to get your application reviewed by a current doctor or someone in that field. By doing so, you can have someone review it that knows what you’re talking about.
#5 Know the Organization
No matter what kind of scholarship you’re looking to apply for, there is going to be an organization behind the scene. If possible, try to apply with an organization that you know a lot about. So if the organization is an animal activist group, you may want to learn about their views and what they believe in. By doing so, you can write your scholarship in a way that they would approve.
We all know that you’re not going to win the first scholarship that you apply for. By taking your time to research the right ones that you qualify for, you will find that you can increase your chances significantly for that free money! Good luck!
Today’s guest article is provided by Elizabeth Cutten. When she is not busy sharing her time and talents through guest articles, you can find her running the website HowMuchIsIt.org, a fantastic resource that helps people around the globe find the prices on just about anything.
