When you’re compiling your scholarship apps you should strive to put your best foot forward. In so many words, you are telling why this person or organization should invest in YOU.
Let’s face it, a sob story will only take you so far. To reference Dream Girls, “Effie we all got pain.” How do you take the cards that you’re dealt to continue pushing forward? How do you make lemonade out of the lemons you were handed?
We live in an age where many people are posting the highlight reels of their lives via social media. If you’re not careful, this could lead to comparison or resentment. When you focus on your grass, your talents, your why – you won’t have time looking at what Tom, Dick, or Harry has. Take the time to do some introspection. We all are not A+ students or D1 athletes but that doesn’t mean you can’t leverage your strengths. Nor does either of the two make you any better than someone else.
Leveraging your experiences and skills with a solutions-driven state of mind is a lot more compelling than looking for someone to feel sorry for you. Sorry, not sorry.
If you are stumped on how to “sell” why you’re the best candidate, write out your likes, dislikes, passions, and/or how you’d like to be the change in your community. This is the first step to sharing your authentic self with the reviewer.
Next, once you have your thorough introspection list, plug them into your personal statement or specific application writing prompt. This is your opportunity to give the reader a glimpse into what lies beneath the surface. Beneath the accolades and status is a chance for them to see who you really are.
If you’re not 100% sure that is ok too. People change so much, expecting to have your entire life mapped out right now is simply setting yourself up for disappointment. However, I’d implore you to take the time to figure out how you want to use your time to make a living. What skills make your passions/goals easier to achieve? Figuring out what works for you can be a lot easier than trying to conform to someone else’s path.
Leverage is often associated with business. In this blog post that I mentioned, the college experience is similar to a business. Utilize your strengths to acquire your school funds! Reimagine what it takes to be a scholarship recipient.
