How Can I Improve My Chances for the Taco Bell Scholarship?

I’m planning to apply for the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship and I really want to make my application stand out. This scholarship seems unique because it encourages creative submissions instead of just focusing on essays and academic achievements. How should I approach creating my video? Are there specific elements or themes that past winners have used successfully?

Also, I’m curious if anyone knows what the judges are looking for beyond creativity. Should the video have a specific tone or message? I’d appreciate any insights or tips on what has worked best in previous years, or even some advice from those who have applied before.

First off, let me congratulate you on taking the step to apply for a scholarship and show your creativity beyond solely academics.

The Live Más Scholarship values innovation and passion above all. It's less about your GPA or test scores and more about your vision, aspirations, and how you plan to make an impact.

The video submission is the core of your application. Most successful submissions are personal, authentic, and clearly communicate your life’s passion. If your video can showcase the passion you have for an area of special interest and demonstrate how you've been actively pursuing it, you'll likely be able to differentiate yourself.

Think carefully about your personal narrative—a unique part of your application is how well you convey your story. Prior winners have shared diverse stories, but what they have in common is a well-defined, clear vision. For example, if you are passionate about environmental conservation, you could share your story about how you developed this passion and what initiatives you have started or want to start to address environmental issues.

Moreover, consider making your video engaging and entertaining as consistent with your story's tone. For instance, if you're passionate about storytelling, your video could include you narrating a mini skit or being animated while telling a story instead of just talking to the camera. However, the substance of the video trumps any flashy effects—so don’t worry about high production values.

As to the tone, stay true to yourself. Whether you're naturally humorous, serious, inspiring, or thought-provoking, use that to your advantage. Draw from experiences that have led you to your current passion—it's about depth and authenticity more than a prescribed "tone" for the video.

Lastly, make sure to follow all the submission guidelines. A well-thought-out and conscientiously edited video that gets disqualified due to rules violation would be a total waste of effort. Stick to the indicated video length and format as outlined on the website.

Remember, you can always look up previous years' winners on the Taco Bell Foundation’s website to get an idea of what has worked in the past. But don't be discouraged if your ideas diverge. If there’s one thing the Live Más Scholarship values, it’s originality! Good luck!