GETTING READY
Start gathering material on yourself and build a file or resume.
1. Things to include:
- Grade point average, class standing, courses selected (know area of study)
- School and community activities (high school and college)
- Honors or awards (high school or college)
- Hobbies or interests
- Work or volunteer experience-Special or unusual learning experiences
- Talk with someone about what you've done. Many times what you think is insignificant could be valuable to put on an application.
- Read a GOOD newspaper; broaden your global knowledge.
2. Continue to examine and refine your personal goals. You may be asked to write essays on these topics:
- What are your educational and career goals?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
3. Contact three individuals (generally faculty) to act as references. The best references generally come from instructors who have taught you recently, and better yet, have had you for more than one class. Check to see if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. Be sure to allow them at least two weeks (more is better) to prepare the recommendation and be sure to let them know what the deadlines are.
4. References: This part of your application carries a lot of weight; don't take it lightly!
- Pick references who will give you a good recommendation. Ask them if they have any problems writing a letter for you.
- If you have to choose, pick references who know you rather than those with prestige.
- Pick references who will get their letters in on time.
- Give them adequate information to write a good letter of recommendation. A copy of the scholarship application, your resume, etc.
BEGINNING APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Start early. Most scholarship applications require one or more of the following: an application form, a personal essay (150-1,000 words), a copy of your academic transcript, and letters of recommendation. Allow at least one month to complete the process. For some, it may take as long as a semester.
2. Complete the application form. Generally it is wise to answer all the questions on a separate piece of
paper. Then you can transfer or type your answers on to the application form.
3. Draft your essay. Don't expect your first essay to be perfect. Allow enough time to evaluate and rewrite
it. You may edit it ten or more times in order to make it convincing.
4. Be aware of deadlines. A late or incomplete application may automatically disqualify you. This applies
to both the scholarships for which the university nominates and those you send directly yourself.
STRUCTURE
1. Develop paragraphs one idea at a time. Include a topic sentence and follow it with example of your
point or convincing reasons.
2. Make transitions between paragraphs.
3. Select action verbs and avoid the passive voice.
4. Use concrete examples. Often, examples of behavior demonstrate an idea better than an adjective.
(Show how or why, don't just tell.)
5. Develop exact, concrete language. Avoid vague references, wordy usage or clichés.
6. Be sure to have at least 2 other people read your essays. It's best to have one specialist and one lay
reader. Be ready to prepare multiple drafts of your writing.
EDITING YOUR DRAFT
- Does your introduction capture the reader's attention?
- Are you consistent in your verb tense?
- Are you clear and coherent?
- Are you concise enough to adhere to the limits in length?
- Have you checked for grammatical and spelling errors?
- Does the essay present you as you wish to be seen?
- Did another person review your essay for possible mistakes?
- Would you remember your essay if you read two hundred others?
- Does your closing paragraph present you as you with to be remembered?
COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION
1. Retain a copy for your records.
2. Deliver all forms on time.
FOLLOWING UP ON YOUR APPLICATION
1. Thank those who assisted in the application or wrote letters of recommendation. A thank you note would
be especially nice.
IF YOU RECEIVE THE SCHOLARSHIP
1. Acknowledge the scholarship donors. It is especially crucial to maintain contact if the scholarship is
renewable. The individuals who wrote letters in support of your application will also appreciate a note
from you.
2. Clarify terms for scholarship renewal. Find out if you must meet specific conditions to have your
award renewed.
Contact:
Zakia Simmons
Phone: 832.848.7304 | 713.331.0440
Zakia.simmons@outlook.com
scholarships@ghfrontiers.com