Positioning Yourself
One of the most important life skills to master in applying for scholarships is learning how to "position" yourself. What does positioning yourself for a college scholarship mean?
Positioning yourself for a scholarship is how:
1. You re-present yourself from the inside out.
2. Your combined interests and values match the interests and values of a potential sponsor.
3. Your personal self-assessment establishes connections to your essay, is borne out in every detail of the application, and ultimately is demonstrated in an interview.
Positioning refers to visualizing yourself to a selection committee as the worthy recipient of their money and confidence.
What do selection committees look for?
Selection committees look for excellence in the following areas: academics, leadership, work experience, service, and physical fitness. The majority of selection committees concentrate on the first three areas, but we want you to see the whole picture. Every committee establishes priorities and expectations that are unique to a given college scholarship. That is why it is imperative to research your scholarships fully and reflect on their underlying principles, core values, and established requirements.
Academics
Minimum GPAs are assessed within a major and cumulatively.
The rigor and breadth of previous coursework is screened closely.
Student involvement in activities is an indicator of motivation and aptitude.
Outside research projects or published material reflects scholarly work.
Special honors and awards demonstrate achievement, recognition, and merit.
Leadership
What student-related key roles have you assumed?
Do you complete extra-curricular projects or do you bail at mid-term?
What supervisory roles with students have you served in?
Are your social relationships on campus inclusive or exclusive?
Work Experience
What skills do you use in your job?
What are you doing right now to prepare for your future?
Have you served any internships or worked as a summer camp counselor?
Service
Community service/volunteer work actively demonstrates how you value and participate in civic responsibility. Community service work is as diverse as the ongoing need, so there is really no area of service that cannot be included.
What community service programs have you participated in or supported?
Physical Fitness
Staying physically fit does not mean you are or aspire to be an athlete. What matters in this area is your awareness of the importance of physical health.
Do you have a regular exercise program?
Do you understand the relationship between physical exercise and stress?
What is a healthy diet?
Is there any relationship between nutrition, exercise, and mental rigor?
General Guidelines for Overall Positioning
Know who is on the selection committee for every scholarship you apply for. Know their bios, their work, their educational background, what they teach or support, their agendas, their banes, their weaknesses, and their strengths.
Know what their principles of excellence are.
Stand up for yourself when challenged, but do not resort to arrogance or conceit. Maintain your composure.
Know the political layout of the land with or behind every college scholarship. What deeply held beliefs, concepts, and histories must you be very careful not to conflict with?