        |
 |
Please note that this section will be updated
in summer 2008.
These tips for applying are designed to assist undergraduate students seeking scholarship awards, research grants, or funding for community service projects. For more specific information on applying to Prestigious Scholarships, please see the the flyer Tips for Applying to the Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarships. Also note that the Truman foundation provides specific tips for applying to their scholarship.
FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS
A surprising number of students fail to see that identifying scholarships can be one of the most important parts of the successful scholarship search. There are thousands and thousands of scholarships available to students through internet searches and scholarship guides, but no one student will every qualify for all of them. Even if one person were to qualify for all of them, though, most students at UC Berkeley probably don't have the time to apply for each and every one. For this reason, a well-defined scholarship search can be invaluable to students looking for some extra money to fund their education, research proposal, or community service project.
The best and cheapest way to run a scholarship search is to find a good, reliable scholarship search engine (like the Scholarship Connection scholarship database.) Internet searches are free (or they should be!), and unlike scholarship guides that simply list awards, even when they are sorted by subject matter, the internet can help you filter out awards for which you simply don't qualify (the scholarship connection does maintain a list of free on-line search engines.) This means finding scholarships that are best suited to who you are, both as a student and as a person.
CHOOSING SCHOLARSHIPS
It may sound strange, but as a student with limited amounts of time, you should be selective in choosing the scholarships for which you spend the time to prepare an application. As noted above, there are many scholarships out there, and there are a probably a good number to which you could potentially apply. There are two questions you should ask yourself when choosing which scholarships are worth your time:
For whom are the scholarship selectors looking?
The answer to this question should always be, "ME!" Before applying for a scholarship, make sure that you are the type of person or student that the foundation is looking for. In essence, you ought to be the ideal candidate for the award. For any given scholarship, even the small ones, there will probably be a lot of students applying, and many of them will in fact be the ideal candidate, and it is them, not you, who will win. What does it mean to be the ideal candidate? First and foremost, your demographic and academic information should match their scholarship requirements. If they want liberal arts majors, an engineering student might be wise to apply elsewhere. Second, what you expect to do with the money should match what the foundation expects you to do with the money. If they want people to use their generous funds to create a community service project, they will not fund proposals that will only fund your undergraduate education. As a note to both of these suggestions, never lie on your application. Not only is it unethical and illegal, but if you are ultimately a winner it could put you in a very uncomfortable position.
Is the scholarship worth the time I will spend on it?
Many scholarships ask their applicants to run through a multitude of hoops before even considering the application. If you are applying for the Rhodes Scholarship, an internationally recognized scholarship for study in the United Kingdom, it is understandable. For a less-prestigious and less valuable scholarship, you may want to consider whether it is worth your time.
OBTAINING APPLICATIONS
Different foundations adopt different systems for how to make their scholarship application available to the public. Fortunately, many scholarships now have their own web site where you can download the application and the accompanying documents in a few minutes. For other foundations, however, obtaining applications isn't so easy. Every year the Scholarship Connection sees about a dozen scholarships that can only be obtained from a designated scholarship center, like our office. These scholarships are clearly designated by our server, and by most other scholarship resource centers. For the remainder of awards, however, foundations employ a variety of systems that revolve around you contacting them to obtain the application. This may mean calling their phone number and leaving a mailing address, filling it a form on their web site or emailing their office, or even mailing in a request.
Regardless of how the foundation expects you to obtain their application, the most important thing is to obtain the application as early as possible. The Scholarship Connection requests all applications three months in advance of the deadline: it isn't so early that the foundation hasn't finalized the application; but it is early enough that we can process the information through own office. If you don't have fancy software like we do, or simply aren’t organized enough to request scholarship applications that far in advance, most scholarship foundations with web sites or email requests can get you the information even with a few weeks remaining before the deadline. There are two things to be aware of, though. First, leave yourself enough time to complete the application and get all the necessary documentation, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts (see below.) Second, a few scholarship foundations actually have request deadlines. Thus, if you do not request the application before the date they designate, you cannot apply.
READING THROUGH THE APPLICATION
Once you get the application, the most important thing to do is read! The application and the information that comes with it will include essential information for the entire application process. It would be unfortunate if you went through the entire application process and forgot to include a transcript, for example. A good idea is to read through the entire application and make a list of everything that is required on a separate sheet of paper. This should then be attached to the application. It will be nice to have all the requirements on one page--especially since many applications list each of the requirements separately.
GATHERING MATERIALS
Any given scholarship application will contain different sections and will ask that you submit any variety of supplemental information. It is extremely important not only that you know what they want, but that everything you submit is the best it can be. This section should help you accomplish that.
Scholarship Application
About 90% of the scholarships we see require applicants to submit a front sheet that includes basic biographical information, and sometimes responses to short-answer questions. Filling out these forms is pretty self-explanatory. Just remember to follow the instructions given on the sheet (i.e. do not write in green ink if black ink is requested.) Some students do have problems, however, when they are required to submit a typed application.
Typewrites are increasingly rare, but foundations know this and have made filling out their forms significantly easier. Even if you receive the application in paper form, see if there is a web site (we provide web links in our database if one is available) where you can download a digital copy of the same forms. Often, these are in either a Microsoft Word format (.doc) or in portable document format (.pdf.) Microsoft Word documents can be typed using any computer that supports the program and has it installed (the UC Berkeley Microcomputer labs all support Microsoft Word.) PDF documents can be a little more complicated. Some applications, when used on newer versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, will allow you to modify PDF files; others do not and have to be printed and then typed upon.
If you have illegible or messy handwriting (and even if you don't) you may want to consider typing the application sheets even if they allow you to use pen. Remember that the cover sheet is often the first thing that a scholarship evaluator will see of your application.
Personal Statement
The Personal Statement is perhaps the most fluid and least quantifiable element in the scholarship application. Not only does each individual student have his or her own respective style, but quite often different scholarship applications will make specific requests of applicants in the personal statement. For example, a travel grant may ask you to place your personal experience in the context of both the uses of your travel and its relevance to your normal academic program. There is some general advice on writing the personal statement, however. The personal statement is generally one of the most critical factors in the application; through it, the applicant presents the first real solid picture of himself as a person and as a student. The Personal Statement should not simply regurgitate information already contained in transcripts, etc. It should present a picture of you as an individual. A compelling personal statement should help you stand out among other applications. You should use it as an opportunity to explain or contextualize any gaps in the academic record. After reading your personal statement, the scholarship selectors should think of you as the perfect recipient for their award.
For more specific help on writing the personal statement, the Scholarship Connection does offer personal statement workshops in the spring semester specifically for Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell applicants. Nevertheless, students can schedule a peer advising appointment at any time during the year to go over the personal statement.
Letters of Recommendation
Strong letters of recommendation are extremely important to most scholarships. In a big university like Berkeley, however, where students are often taught by graduate students or other academic personnel, rather than by tenured professors, it is extremely important to make a point of establishing relationships with your professors as early as possible in your academic career. Attend office hours and engage in discussions outside of class. Participate in Freshman and Sophomore Seminar courses, where enrollment is limited to 15-25 students, the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program, which matches undergraduates with faculty doing research, the Haas Scholars Program, which funds independent research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors, or other undergraduate research opportunities. Even if there are no formal or funded research opportunities in your area of study, you still can and should pursue opportunities to carry out independent research under faculty guidance via independent study courses or junior/senior honors theses.
Letters should come from professors who are familiar not only with your academic abilities, but also with your personal interests and background, and how those relate to your potential success. Although recommenders should consider what each scholarship is looking for, they should not feel compelled to address every aspect of the scholarship profile. Recommenders should address only those elements of your application on which they can comment confidently. Effective letters of recommendation are detailed, specific, and contextualize your achievements. It is helpful if the recommender can attest to the appropriateness of your proposed program or suitability to the award.
Ideally, you’ll have a letter from a full professor, known in her/his field, who knows you well. Students often ask if letters from Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) are appropriate. According to one foundation, "Letters from people who know you well are far more valuable than letters from well-known people who know you less well and who might write, at best, a form-like letter." Note that, sometimes, professors are willing to cosign letters written by GSIs. But whenever possible, letters written by faculty are preferable. Generally, letters from college (rather than high school) instructors are preferable. Non-academic letters should discuss your volunteer and/or leadership experience. Do not use letters from relatives or family friends.
Approach letter-writers as soon as possible. Remember that professors and other instructors are quite busy and will need some time, usually a few weeks, to work on a good letter of recommendation. When you are approaching the recommender, discuss your plans and let them know what you hope to study and why you want to apply. These discussions may help you clarify your plans and will help reestablish your relationships with your recommenders. Provide them with a written description of the scholarship and copies of your personal statement, proposed academic program, transcripts and activities/honors list. Do not leave the forms in their mailboxes, and, to ensure effective letters, don’t wait until the last minute. Much of the anxiety that comes from asking for letters of recommendation can be relieved by planning ahead and giving recommenders plenty of time to write an awesome letter.
Many students find the Career Center's letter service to be a great convenience. The letter service enables students to collect letters as they progress through their undergraduate education. The Career Center's service is specifically designed for students applying to graduate or professional school, but they have forwarded letters to scholarship agencies in the past.
Transcripts
Not every scholarship will require a transcript, and many that do request applicants to send one do not place a relatively high importance to grades and the like. Nevertheless, when an application requires a transcript, you should take their request seriously and mail (or have mailed) a transcript well before the deadline. In the academic world, there are two types of transcripts: unofficial and official. An unofficial transcript is a listing of coursework and grades similar to the printout available from Bear Facts. Unofficial transcripts are normally acceptable only for campus-based scholarships and awards. An official transcript is printed by the Office of the Registrar on official paper and includes the seal of the university and the signature of the Registrar. All of the information on your BearFacts printout will be included on the official transcript, with the additional information of your major(s) and college. Most, if not all, scholarship foundations will request an official transcript, and ordering official transcripts, like letters of recommendation, requires some advanced planning. DO NOT SEND A BEARFACTS PRINT OUT WHEN ASKED FOR AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT.
The Office of the Registrar is the ONLY campus unit that will issue official transcripts, and they do it according to their own time line. There are various options for requesting transcripts:
Special Processing Transcripts
This service is designed to accommodate those who need transcripts immediately and/or have special processing requirements. You should use this service if one or more of the following apply:
* You require transcripts for immediate pickup.
* You require attachments to accompany the transcript.
* You require express mail service such as UPS or DHL.
There is a $15 fee per transcript for this service. The fee does not include express mail service. Overnight express delivery service is available at an additional cost of $12 for each domestic address and $25 for each international address.
Rush Transcripts
Rush transcripts are deposited in the mail within 24 working hours of receipt of your request. Please allow 5 to 7 business days for delivery. Fees for rush transcripts are $12.
Regular Transcripts
Regular transcripts are generally processed five to ten working days after receipt of request. Fees for regular transcripts are $5. Please note that from November through February this service is subject to slight delays because of the high volume of orders.
Current students can order rush and regular transcripts by clicking on the "Request Official Transcripts" button in BearFacts. Charges for transcripts are billed directly to individual CARS accounts. Special processing transcripts can also be ordered in-person at 120 Sproul Hall from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday - Friday.
Always remember that official transcripts will not include current course work and grades until approximately four weeks after the semester has ended, and degrees are not posted until approximately ten weeks after the semester has ended. Also, transcript requests will not be processed if you have outstanding financial obligations to the University.
For more information on transcripts, please visit the Office of the Registrar's web site at http://registrar.berkeley.edu.
Resume
Some scholarship applications will include a space on the form to list activities and honors. For those that do not, however, you should list activities (including dates of involvement) as you would on a resume. Use headings, such as Community Service and Academic Honors, and list entries in chronological order or order of importance. Briefly describe activities that are not self-explanatory, and (where appropriate) describe the impact you made in each role. Your activities should represent your varied talents and passions outside the classroom. Selectors want to get a sense of who you are and what you believe in. List all significant activities and honors, but be selective. The selectors are looking for sustained commitment (rather than two hours spent on a community clean-up). Keep in mind that anything in your application is fair game in the interviews. Be completely honest. If you list that you speak fluent French, for example, you’ll want to be able to converse with an interviewer in French. More information on resumes can be found at the Career Center web site, http://career.berkeley.edu.
COMPLETING THE PROCESS
The last element in applying for a scholarship is getting it to the foundation. Be cognizant of the fact that some scholarship foundations have postmark deadlines and others have receipt deadlines. A postmark deadline is easier in that you need to get the complete application to the post office by the listed date. When posting your materials, however, we recommend that you drop the package to a postal clerk, even if this means you have to wait in line. The clerk will tell you if there is insufficient postage and you are guaranteed to have it postmarked on that date. If you must drop the package into a blue mail box, or if you are sending it by a courier service, be sure that you have not missed the last pick up for that box or the package will be postmarked for the next business day. If the scholarship has a receipt deadline, then be sure to mail your package at least one week in advance of the deadline. You may also want to consider sending it by courier service, particularly one that will guarantee arrival by the receipt date. Before mailing, though, be sure to read through everything one more time and check off that you have included everything they have requested.
|
|
|
