It takes time to prepare your scholarship application, so the Jewish Community Foundation would like to offer you a few recommendations.

Suggestions

• Give your application the time, attention and preparation it deserves.
• Read and follow the instructions carefully.
• Type or print neatly.
• Don’t leave any questions blank or unanswered.
• Review your work – especially your essay. Be specific and answer all of the questions you’re asked. Also, be personal. It is your job to make your essay stand out from the rest. Check the spelling and grammar. Ask a parent, friend, or teacher to proof-read your completed application.
• Be honest and be yourself.
• If you are asked, don’t be afraid to highlight your strengths and to talk about yourself. Be truthful.
• Make certain the people you ask to write your letters of recommendation know you well. Also, be sure to send thank you letters to the individuals who wrote your letters of recommendation.
• Watch for deadlines – financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them faithfully!
• You are responsible for making sure that ALL parts of your application arrive and are on time. Give the individuals who will be providing your letters of recommendation or official transcripts enough time to do so. Also, be sure to give them a stamped, addressed envelope if the recommendations are to be mailed separately.
• Make a copy of the complete application for your file.
• Finally, keep a written record of all scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses.

Writing Your Essay

The essay is probably the most difficult part of your scholarship application to complete. However, it is also the part of your application where you can shine and stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Scholarship selection committees review hundreds, if not thousands, of essays, and it is your job to get their attention when they read yours. The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific and include details about yourself so that the reader can get to know who you are and what you stand for. Be truthful and honest – but be sure to answer the questions.

Here are a few helpful tips:

• Think before you write.
• Be original and be creative in your answers.
• Show, don’t tell. Use examples to individualize your essay and demonstrate the point you want to make. You will avoid vagueness and make a stronger impression.
• Neatness counts. Make sure your personal statement is typed and adheres to the guidelines.
• Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! This is very important because you don’t want to have any typos. Check your spelling and grammar and ask someone you trust to review your essay. Another pair of eyes can catch errors you might have missed!
• Create a portrait of a winner. By doing this on paper, you will create a vivid portrait of yourself and who you are behind the grades, activities and awards. If a committee member feels like he/she knows you from reading your essay, you will have done your job by creating a powerful emotional connection that elevates your application and makes it stand out from the others.

How are scholarship applications evaluated?

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew what scholarship selection committees look for in an application? Unfortunately (or fortunately), each person reviews an application differently. It is your job to ensure that the application is complete, neat, and that all of the required documents are enclosed. Remember, individuals have to review many applications and you will want your application to make it to the final cut.

Here are a few items scholarship selection committees pay attention to:

• Academics. While it’s important to have a competitive GPA, committee members do consider how challenging your course load has been. Also, they will check to see if you are taking the right courses to reach your goals and how well you did in those courses. They also review your overall academic progress – how you have progressed over the last few years.
• Leadership. If this is part of the criteria for a scholarship, committee members may examine your extra-curricular activities or work experience and look for a range of leadership roles.
• Service. Community and volunteer service are key components in many scholarships. Committee members will be interested in the role you have played in your community or synagogue.
• Creativity. You can show your creative side by indicating that you play an instrument, write stories, paint, act, etc. Demonstrate your ability by letting committee members know if you have won special award(s) or received any honors.
• Special circumstances. If you have overcome an obstacle to achieve your goals or have encountered a special circumstance, the selection committee will want to know about it. Let them know how you have achieved your goals in spite of the roadblocks you may have faced.