Who are the typical winners of the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship?

I'm really curious about what kind of students win the Most Valuable Student Scholarship from the Elks Foundation. Do they generally have high GPAs, tons of extracurriculars, or something else? Wondering how I can make myself a strong applicant.

The Elks National Foundation's Most Valuable Student scholarship competition is quite competitive and is primarily based on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. So, winners of this scholarship generally exhibit these traits:

1. High academic performance: Winners typically have high GPAs and a rigorous course load, which demonstrate their academic prowess.

2. Leadership: Beyond academic success, the Elks scholarship is geared towards students who have shown substantial leadership in their community and extra-curricular activities. This can be achieved in a multitude of ways such as serving in leadership positions in clubs, being team captains in sports, or initiating community service projects or campaigns.

3. Service: Winners commonly demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. This typically involves a consistent history of volunteering and making significant, tangible contributions to their communities.

4. Financial Need: While the Elks do not list a specific income cutoff, they do indicate that consideration is given to the applicant’s financial situation. Financial need, in combination with the above elements, can make an applicant more competitive.

To make yourself a strong applicant, you should work to showcase these qualities in your application. Highlight your leadership roles, discuss your commitment to community service in detail, and make sure your academic transcript reflects a history of challenging yourself and succeeding. Additionally, make sure that your application clearly signals any financial need you may have.

Remember also the importance of your essay. It's your opportunity to underscore your achievements and character, while also explaining your personal motivations, your future goals, and how the scholarship would contribute to these. Be authentic and let your passion come through—making a genuine connection with your reader can significantly strengthen your application.