"How To" Guide for Scholarship Applications

Applying for scholarships can be a daunting process, whether this is your first time or your fifth. If you find yourself worried that you won't be able to choose an essay topic, unsure of how to request references or worried that you won't be able to complete the requirements on time, don't worry, you're not alone.

Prepare Early

Many of these scholarships are competitive enough that you should begin preparing for a successful application starting in your very first semester. Set some goals for yourself such as:

• Get to know your professors so that you can obtain excellent references.
• Work toward professional experiences through internships & research
  • Career Services - Internships
  • Undergraduate Research in the Honors Program
• Develop leadership skills and a record of community service
  • Leadership
  • Center for Civic Engagement
• Sharpen your writing skills & seek feedback on scholarly writing
  • Julia N. Visor Academic Center - Writing
• Maintain academic excellence with GPA of 3.7 and above (minimum 3.5)
• Know the application process and timeline well in advance of applying

Requesting Reference Letters

An insightful reference letter is a critical piece of a successful scholarship application. Below are some tips to help students request reference letters from faculty:

• Choose your personal references carefully and early. The individual must be familiar with you and your work, understand the significance of the scholarship in terms of competitiveness and prestige, and be supportive of your application. Don’t be afraid to actually ask the person if they feel they can supply you with an excellent letter. Since you won’t be able to review the final letter, posing this question may help you avoid choosing someone whose letter will not serve you as well as someone else's.

• The best evaluations are those that come from faculty in your field of study or from individuals who have supervised your work in a research facility or a career-related work experience. Evaluations from former high school teachers, coaches or family friends are generally of little value. At least two of the three references should be from individuals in your major field.

• Provide your references with at least a draft copy of your resume, essay, or project proposal, depending on the scholarship for which you are applying. This will give them the context they need in order to compose the most convincing letter possible.

• You may also wish to provide them with the scholarship guidelines and qualifications for viable candidates, or a copy of the application page with your education, extracurricular activities, future plans, etc. completed.

• If your reference prefers to write a letter separately, as opposed to using a reference form that might be provided in the application package, the letter must be written on letterhead and addressed to the specific scholarship committee with the name of the scholarship in the letter. It is important that the letter not appear as a generic reference letter, but that it provides some indication that the person writing it knows something about the scholarship.

• Be sure to give them a deadline and stress the importance of getting the letter in by that date. You do not want a late reference letter to jeopardize your application.