You have the power to create amazing
things with a blank sheet of paper and a bit of black ink. The ability to
translate your hard work, experiences and special qualities into a carefully
constructed application is the key to making you shine on paper. You must be
innovative and impactful even when the application process asks you stay inside
the lines. You have to be able to sell yourself.
“Selling yourself, whether on paper
or in person, is one of the best skills that you have, and it’s no different
than selling any product or service,” said Greta Schulz, founder and CEO of
Schulz Sales Consulting, a company who helps entrepreneurs and companies refine
their selling processes. “You have to have confidence, you have to know how
you’re going to benefit them, and you have to articulate yourself.
Remember that scholarship judges are
looking for more than just qualified individuals who look busy on paper. They
are looking for applicants whose submissions feel thorough and complete without
being too wordy. They’re looking for inspiration, interest and excitement in
your content and are seeking to find something that connects them to you. Connect
those dots for the judges in a way that makes your application scream, “Don’t
put me down!”
Here are just a few pointers that
will help you produce an impressive and professional application that will
successfully and truthfully reflect you.
Follow Directions
Read and reread the instructions and
qualifications necessary for the scholarship carefully. Many applications are
chucked out immediately because they didn’t follow the specific guidelines. Don’t
let something this simple be the cause for your disqualification.
Conduct the right kind of research
Research may seem like a simple
concept and you’re probably already a pro with Google. However, if you conduct
the right kind of research, you’ll be able to craft an application that is
persuasive, timely and interesting for the judges.
Don’t stop after you’ve gotten some
background on the scholarship. Dig deeper and research the organizations and
people behind it as well as the judges and previous winners of the award. Knowing
as much as possible will help you figure out what kind of qualities and
experiences they value the most so you can highlight them in your application.
Ask if you can have a list of
previous winners and do not be afraid to contact them. Their success is the
most valuable insight you can gain before you begin to complete your own
application.
Talk
it out
It’s important to make a rough
outline of what you want to accomplish. Talking with a friend or classmate
about the scholarship is a great starting point because they can help you sift
through and organize your thoughts. They’ll help you bounce some ideas around
and point out characteristics and experiences you have that they think make you
unique and qualified for the scholarship.
Own the Essay
Most of the scholarship applications
you’ll fill out will require you to complete one or two short essays. This is
the part where you get to be creative and let your personality come through and
shine. But, this is also the part where your application can go down in flames.
Try to cut unnecessary words from
your essays every time you proof them. Cluttered sentences can dilute the
meaning and impact of your essays. Also, make sure you always use active verbs.
You want to make a stand with your essays and boldly announce and promote your
qualifications through fun and engaging anecdotes of your past experiences.
Find someone to proof your work
Once you’ve completed your
application, ask a teacher to look over it to get a new perspective. Something
that makes perfect sense to you may be lost upon different reader, and they can
offer things that you might not have thought of. A great proofreader will also
be able to help you tighten your sentences as well as point out spots in your
application that may need more clarification. After you make your final
touches, take a deep breath and be sure send your application in well before
the required deadline.
About the Author
Vance Miller is a writer and blogger
for Schulz Business. He depended on scholarships to
help him through college, and he’s used sales techniques to help him stand out
on applications.
Wow!
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