Hi, I'm a junior looking to alleviate some of the financial strain of college tuition. Does anyone know some scholarships I can apply to right now or in the near future? Also, any tips for making my applications stand out would be super helpful!
Absolutely, there are a slew of scholarships high school juniors can apply for. Some popular ones include:
1. The Coolidge Scholarship: This is a full-ride, four-year scholarship available to high school juniors. It covers tuition, room, and board. The selection process is rigorous, with several rounds including a finalist weekend at the Coolidge Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
2. National Merit Scholarship program: This scholarship uses PSAT/NMSQT scores to determine eligibility, so make sure you do well on your standardized tests.
3. United States Presidential Scholars Program: This program recognizes some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
4. Doodle for Google: This is a creative and fun scholarship for anyone with artistic talent. You just need to create a doodle for Google's homepage and you could win a substantial scholarship.
As for tips to make your application stand out, most scholarships aren't only looking for students with the best grades or test scores. Many are looking for students who are involved in their communities, display leadership potential, or have unique hobbies or interests. Here's a few tips:
1. Follow the Requirements: This should go without saying, but make sure you're fulfilling all the requirements set forth in the scholarship application.
2. Be Genuine: Regardless of whether you're writing an essay or explaining an extracurricular activity, be sincere. Authenticity comes through in your writing, so let your own voice shine.
3. Avoid Clichés: It's easy to fall into clichés when talking about your experiences, be it personal growth or achievements. Instead, focus on unique details that will make you stand out from the crowd.
4. Revise and Refine: Sending in your first draft is often not advisable. Give yourself ample time to revise your essays and get feedback from teachers or trusted peers.
5. Start Early: This enables you to do the previous point, plus it may help with reducing anxiety, as you're not pulling everything together last minute.
Remember that these are general tips and could differ based on the scholarship you're applying to, so closely following the directions for each individual scholarship is key. Good luck!
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