1st Impressions: From Paper to Interview

Are you applying for scholarships but never hearing back? Are you tired of receiving rejection letters back to back? What sets you apart from the dozens of applicants for one scholarship?

Rejection letters suck, but they provide a lesson to get your next move right. Scholarships are always in demand and it seems like there is more need than funds available. Nonetheless, don’t let the denials deter you from securing your funds!

Let’s face it, 1^st impressions are everything. Between you and dozens of other applicants, reviewers only get a couple of minutes to understand why you are worthy of being their next scholarship recipient. Standing out on paper is imperative to getting the opportunity to shine via interview.

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Standing out in your application

• The first step is to make sure you provide all of the application requirements. Missing documents will have you overlooked quickly!

• Next is your personal statement or video submission. This is your time to shine! In XX amount of time, you have to convey your passions and intentions. Share your story and personality; remember to be concise and remain authentic. Also, try to stay away from sob stories (unless the prompt ask to share how you’ve overcome tough times). More than likely, yours would not be the first one, the reviewer reads. My undergraduate English professor would faithfully quote Dream Girls: “Effie, we all got pain!” This is not to degrade or gaslight your life story, but in order to stand out in an applicant pool, you need more than that. Consider framing it from a solutions-based perspective of overcoming and/or making an impact.

• Remember deadlines and try not to wait until the last minute!

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Social Media Footprint

Our online identity carries just as much weight as what we do in real life. Note what you post online, potentially damaging your reputation down the line is not worth questionable or offensive posts/comments for laughs, validation, etc.

Inspect Your Social:

• Scrubber.Social
• Brand Yourself
• Jumbo App (available for Android & IOS)
• Tweet Deleter
• TweetDelete

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Ace That Interview

Now is the time to show why the scholarship provider needs to invest in you! Prior to your interview:

• Do your research on the organization and interviewer (just don’t get creepy)
• Have copies of your resume and transcripts available (hard copy for in-person/ PDF for virtual)
• Prepare questions beforehand. Compile 3-4 questions, this gives you an opportunity to show you’re engage and attentive. Remember an interview should be conversational, you’re not on trial!
• Show up as your authentic self. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. People can sense insincerity. Keep your responses succinct, more than likely you are not the only interviewee and going on tangents can distract the interviewer from paying attention to key points that matter.
• Breathe! The fact that you made it this far means they see your potential. Avoiding nervous jitters is easier said than done. However, practice in a mirror or with a loved one how you’d deliver in real time. I like to write down potential talking points (i.e., 3 traits I’d describe myself as).

Say Thank You!

Follow up with a thank-you email expressing how grateful you are that they took the time out to connect with you. You’d be surprised how many people don’t do this and it keeps your name at the top of their mind. Gratitude goes a long way.