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How Scholarships are Judged: An Inside Look
Ensure that your application impresses the scholarship committee.
By Roxana Hadad
Wouldn’t it be great to know what scholarship providers look for in an application? Take an inside look at how judges pick their favorites.
At First Glance
The judges’ first evaluation of your application is a quick one—usually only 15 to 30 seconds. Most applications don’t get past this quick but important first stage. Give your application one last review to be sure yours makes it through.
- Do you qualify? Nothing makes it easier for judges to say “no” than an applicant who doesn’t meet the minimum requirements.
- Is your application neat? An application with coffee stains or messy handwriting won’t make the cut.
- Are all of the required documents included? Be sure you’re not leaving out references, transcripts, photographs or anything else the application requires.
- Are all of the questions answered? Scan your application to see if you’ve left anything out.
The Second Cut
After an application makes it past the first round, the judges separate “OK” from “great.” The applications that make it through are those that have thorough and well-thought-out responses.
Make sure your responses are complete and answer the question. It’s very important that your grammar and spelling are correct, so check and double-check all of your essays. Do not rely on the spelling correction software built into your computer’s word processing software, as this will miss “valid word” spelling errors, such as substituting “their” for “there” or “they’re” or “principal” for “principle”. Print out your essay and proofread it in hardcopy format, as it is easier to catch these errors in print than on screen.
The Final Decision
This is the most difficult part of the process for judges. They’ve narrowed it down to a few highly qualified students. Now they must examine and compare every detail of the applications.
According to Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, judges pay special attention to:
- Academics—It’s important to have a competitive GPA. However, providers also consider how challenging your course load and school are. They also check to see if you’re taking the right courses to reach your goals and how well you did in those courses.
- Leadership—If leadership is part of the criteria they’re looking for, judges will examine your activities. They’ll also look for a range of leadership positions.
- Service—Some providers are interested in knowing what community service you’ve done. They’ll want to know if you’ve been continuous in your volunteer efforts. If volunteer work is required by your school, they’ll look for activities that go above and beyond the required service job.
- Creativity—You can show your creative side if you play an instrument, write stories, paint pictures or act in plays. Demonstrate your ability by letting the judges know if you’ve won any awards.
- Special circumstances—If you’ve overcome any obstacles to achieve your goals, the judges want to know about it. Let them know how you achieved all that you’ve done, in spite of the roadblocks you’ve encountered.
It’s not an easy job being a scholarship judge. Deciding who will receive an award is a tough decision. By knowing what’s on the minds of scholarship judges, you’ll have a better chance at being one of those winners.
keenan_britt
12 days ago
I rated this down. Sadly to say this didn't help. It seems like all common sense to me.
LisaM142
about 1 month ago
It's not always easy to share those moments that bring hardship and inner turmoil in one's life;however, sharing your story can give someone a needed inspiration to share with others or make someone feel good inside. After all, we have all, at one time or another, smiled and felt a warmth within when hearing or reading about someone who has forged ahead through exteremly difficult times. Special circumstances can become more than a story but can be that inspiration needed for someone whom we have never met. It is very important to be open and honest about difficulties causing one to drop classes and or get bad grades. I believe giving the answer to the why and what happened before asked is always a good idea.
ElizabethM761
about 1 month ago
Thanks for the tips. They help
FatimataS3
about 1 month ago
I am seeking a scholarship to take technology classes and two semester E S L classes to complete the state requirement.I live in New york. 1750davidson av apt 1k Br Ny 10453
ObitadeS
about 1 month ago
I am a graduate in Public Adm, i am seeking a scholarship to study, Master Degree in Human Resource Management on campus at, Saint Leo University, Florida. USA. I pledge, if, am offered scholarship, i will refer most of my friends to join and look up to fastweb.
Samuel from Nigeria
PatriciaJ132
about 1 month ago
The article offers great insight into applying for a scholarships. I am seeking a scholarship to persue an online Masters Degree in Human Resources Management at the University of Phoenix. When I am offered the scholarsip these tips will be useful.
Patricia from Jamaica.
TomO27
about 1 month ago
Very useful information. I hope to use this information to get a scholarship for my degree course in fall this tear. please keep it up. I've been accepted for a degree course in Industrial Engineering at IPFW but still not able to raise the fee required anybody out there who can assist me get scholarship/grant. I'm a Kenyan citizen based in Kenya.
SriR
about 1 month ago
It was really great ! This is what the information which I had been searching for the past several months and I am very happy that got them in a nut shell here !
OnkabetseG
about 1 month ago
fastweb! please help me find a scholarship for my postgraduate, i finished my degree last year. you deserve a round of applause for the great work you are doing providing us with such info on schoolarships
NishadiK
about 1 month ago
Very very helpful. thanks.
BidurK
about 1 month ago
Great suggestions; thanks!
BidurK
about 1 month ago
I am currently applying for a scholarship/sponsor...i hope fastweb could really help me. Thank you... , thank you so much ............ i hope ....
SteveK22
about 1 month ago
I found the information to be just common sense knowledge. Most of the University scholarships go to under represented minorities, and single mothers. Being half Asian I was told I couldn't get scholarships in electrical engineering because the Asians worked too hard and needed other people to get a chance for awards. I am glad that I won over $16,000 of scholarships all from professional engineering societies who recognized my potential professional contribution to the public.
My advice is to get involved with a professional group in what ever career field that you want. Also you might be lucky and be interested in a field that is under represented by your Ethnic backgroup such as Asians in Arts, and could get easy scholarships.
I would also suggest getting a degree that actually creates value, engineering, science, nursing, drafting, project management. Other liberal arts degrees just live off of other people's contribution.
SusanR229
about 1 month ago
That's excelent thanks Fast WEb for all these tips that are really helpful
kayla7691
about 1 month ago
I'll definately be keeping these things in mind when I go to write my essay. May the best man win!!