Best practices for scholarship applications for college students?

As I'm starting to apply for various scholarships, I'd love to hear any dos and don'ts from those who've successfully navigated the process. What helped you stand out?

Absolutely, I'd be glad to share some insights and best practices. Remember, the scholarship application process requires strategic thinking and personal reflection as much as filling basic application forms.

First, start early and stay organized. Some scholarships have deadlines early in the academic year. Avoid leaving scholarship applications to the eleventh hour—it often results in rushed applications and missing out on opportunities. Use a spreadsheet or a tool like Google Calendar to keep track of deadlines.

Second, cater your application to the mission of the organization or the intent of the scholarship. Do your research and understand the values and goals of the scholarship provider. If the scholarship was created to support students who demonstrate excellent leadership abilities, construct your application to highlight your experiences and achievements in leadership.

Third, ensure your essays are compelling and personal. For many scholarships, the essay is the most important part of the application. Avoid generic essays. Each scholarship is unique, and your essays should reflect that. They should be personal, engaging, and well-structured. Avoid cliched topics and make sure your unique voice comes through.

For instance, rather than a general essay about your community service experience, focus on a specific event or interaction during your service that changed your perspective or made you grow. Reveal something about yourself that can't be seen anywhere else on your application.

Next, don’t overlook smaller scholarships. It might be tempting to aim for scholarships that offer bigger payouts, but smaller scholarships can often be easier to win and can quickly add up!

Lastly, always proofread your application and follow instructions. An application filled with typos will not leave a good impression. And make sure to do exactly what the instructions request—getting disqualified because you didn't follow instructions is frustrating and preventable.

Remember, applying for scholarships is a numbers game. The more you apply, the better your chances of securing some financial support. Best of luck!