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Identifying scholarships can be one
of the most important parts of the successful scholarship search.
A well-defined search can be invaluable. The best and cheapest
way to run a scholarship search is to find a good, reliable scholarship
search engine. This means finding scholarships that are best
suited to who you are, both as a student and as a person. Two questions
you should ask yourself: for whom are the scholarship selectors
looking? Is the scholarship worth the time I will spend on it?
Decide which scholarships are best suited to your academic interests, career
goals, geographical preferences, and financial circumstances. If your chosen
scholarships have application deadlines within two weeks of each other, pare
down your choices to no more than three. You may not be able to prepare, with
the required care, more than three application packets simultaneously.
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Check your eligibility. Be certain
that you meet all the requirements. Each scholarship website provides
a section on this issue.
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Obtain the application as early as
possible. Most can be downloaded from the website for that scholarship.
Some may have to be obtained from the UHP office or the particular
faculty advisor for that scholarship. For some (although this is
rare) you will have to write to the organization to request an
application. Make sure you get the application as soon as possible,
print it out, and read it thoroughly. Make notes. Begin to derive
a checklist from it.
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Highlight all application deadlines
on all your calendars. Enter alerts in your calendar on the days
one week and two weeks prior to the final deadline. Notice whether
the final deadline is for postmark on or receipt of the application
package. Most are online these days.
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Develop a checklist of requirements
for each scholarship and a timeline for satisfying them, i.e. by
what date you will have completed the first draft of your essay;
by what date you will have contacted faculty in your universities
of choice, by what date you will have formulated a program of study,
and so on. Honor your timeline.
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Check to see whether your scholarship
requires standardized test scores for the GRE, MCAT, LSAT and if
so whether on the "Subject" as well as on the "General" test.
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Strong letters of recommendation are
extremely important for most scholarships. Establish relationships
with your professors as early as possible in your academic career.
When it comes time to apply for a scholarship, notify your referee
as early in the process as possible so that she or he has adequate
time to prepare a substantial, balanced, and sincere letter. Further
guidelines on obtaining letters of recommendation...
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The purpose of the curriculum vitae or
resume is to provide an appealing, easily readable snapshot of
your life to date. It must be neat, clear, inviting, and just long
enough to cover the essentials in an economical, streamlined, and
efficient manner. Further guidelines on resume
writing...
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Begin drafting your personal essay
or essays (some scholarships require more than one essay). Identify
those who will read your draft and provide critical feedback. The
personal essay is arguably the most important component of your
application package. This means that much of your time and thought
needs to go into it. More information on writing
the personal essay...
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When an application requires a transcript,
be sure to mail it well before the deadline. Check to see whether
an official or unofficial transcript is required. If an official
transcript is required, you can have this arranged through Transcript
Office. Again, make sure that plenty of time is allotted for
the transcript to arrive in time. Ordering official transcripts,
like letters of recommendation, requires some advanced planning.
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Some applications require photographs
of scholarship candidates. These should be wallet-sized head and
shoulders shots of professional quality.
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Make sure you have a polite and professional-sounding
voice mail message asking callers to leave a message.
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