Application Materials

• Obtain applications as early as possible.
• Print or photocopy all applications. Practice filling them out, and always keep a back-up blank copy.
• Pay attention to DEADLINES. Verify whether an application has a post-marked by deadline or a received by deadline. Admissions offices and scholarship committees strictly adhere to published deadlines.
• Read the directions on the application, and clarify any questions you have regarding the details of the application before the deadline.

Academics

• Check with the scholarship committee or admissions office early in your high school career to verify that you are taking a college prep curriculum and pursuing a course of study that will position you well for admission to the specific programs in which you might be interested. A strong academic record clearly indicates that you have taken the most challenging courses available to you throughout all four years of your high school career.

Test Preparation

• Prepare yourself to take the SAT or ACT by taking practice tests like the PSAT & NMSQT. These tests will show you early in your high school career how college admissions tests are administered, as well as indicate areas where you need to improve for the ACT & SAT.
• Take practice ACT & SATs; familiarize yourself with the directions, the pace and length of the test and question format.
• Check out the College Board and ACT websites for more information.

Activities/Service/Leadership

• Most scholarship and college admissions committees are looking for students who have been actively involved in their schools and communities and who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and a high level of involvement throughout their high school careers.

Essays & Short Answer Sections

• Abide by length requirements, and proofread.
• Clearly make a statement in your answers, and be sure that your answer directly addresses the questions posed.
• Demonstrate the clarity of your writing, as well as the depth and quality of your thought. Be authentic. Whether discussing a personal issue or an issue of national concern, allow your passion to stand out.

Recommendations

• Most scholarships require extensive recommendations. Think carefully about who knows you best when selecting your recommenders and give each of them plenty of time to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
• Inform your recommenders of the requirements of the scholarship and ask them to address how you match the selection criteria.
• Check in with your recommenders at least a week before a deadline and make sure they are aware of all deadlines.
• Send a thank you note! Writing a good letter of recommendation is hard work!

Interviews

• Review your essays and application before your interview; it is likely that you will be asked specific questions about issues you raised in the materials you submitted.
• When answering questions, be detailed and specific, demonstrate your goals and achievements.
• Be prepared to discuss why the scholarship/program/school is right for you.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the scholarship/program/school through thoughtful answers and questions.
• Dress appropriately.

Campus Visits

• Campus visits, if at all possible, will help you discover if a college or university is right for you. We highly encourage you to participate in campus visit days while an institution is “in-session.”
• Nothing substitutes for walking around a campus, sitting in on classes, eating in the residence halls, sleeping in the dorms, meeting faculty, shadowing students, checking out special facilities and talking to students.
• Check to see if an institution is a match for who you are and what you want to accomplish during your undergraduate experience.