It's Scholarship Season: Key Tips for Standing Out in Scholarship Applications
Learn how Tigerway coaches can help you beyond standardized exams with College Preparation and more
This email is written by Jasmine Ngo, Tigerway’s Program Officer.
Tigerway Parents and Students,
In this email, I will be writing to you about scholarship applications. But before we get into scholarship strategy, I want to mention how Tigerway focuses on more than just scoring well on the SATs or the ACTs.
We have developed an efficient team of coaches that help students navigate the entire college preparation process, from selecting schools, writing college essays, and creating the perfect resumes. Each individual coach at Tigerway will be matched with a student of similar interests from a wide variety of majors and colleges.
Our coaches, who are current college students themselves, have firsthand experience with the challenges of applying to college and are passionate about helping your high school students succeed.
Spots in 1:1 Coaching for SAT/ACT, High School Courses (Regular/AP), and College Admissions Strategy are very limited and in very high demand. Please give us a call today for a roadmap session on how academic coaching, SAT/ACTs, and college consulting can help you. We currently have a waitlist for private coaching and it will be first come first serve.
High school Seniors (and current Juniors for next year), it’s scholarship season…
Local scholarships are opening up for High school students and you are going to need a plan on how to increase your chances of winning. Similar to college applications, there will be essays, recommendation letters, and transcripts involved. This is the next step towards helping you prepare for your college experience.
How do I prepare for scholarship applications? Where do I start and what do I need?
Based on my experience, I want to share with you what helped me and what you should have prepared as of right now.
Make sure you have:
A brief Qualifying Statement written specifically for each scholarship.
Jot down some ideas on why you are a good candidate for this scholarship.
Do research on the scholarship’s core values and connect yourself to those values.
Think about what makes you different compared to others. Is it your interests? Experiences? How does this relate to the scholarship?
A Personal Goal Statement (at least one page)
Tell them your story, your inspirations, interests, and future plans.
You don’t want to tell them every single thing you’ve done. You want to keep it concise and have enough to cover an aspect of your personal goals.
One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well for your strengths and weaknesses.
Remember to say thank you!
Financial information (only if the scholarship requires one)
Write about one paragraph that describes/explains any financial needs or hardships for you and your family.
These are the important things to have when applying for scholarships. Some scholarships could ask for all of them or some of them. Just make sure to have these ready.
An example of a scholarship prompt:
How would you approach this scholarship?
Based on this description, they focus on the love of math, character/integrity, and academic performance. You want to research more information about this scholarship. It's important to understand what the donor values. Look into the scholarship's background and ask yourself why you are qualified for this scholarship. Do you love math/science? Are you excelling in your math/science classes? How do your future goals and interests incorporate math/science, and what do you plan to major in?
Remember that the scholarship may not be limited to just math, science, engineering, finance, or accounting. There may be many similar majors that qualify you for this scholarship as well.
A recommendation letter from your math or science teacher can help demonstrate your interest in the scholarship and your qualifications. Follow the guidelines of the scholarship and make sure to include all required materials, such as two recommendation letters, a qualification and personal goal essay, a paragraph on financial needs, and a resume that portrays your character (How have you been involved).
In your qualification and personal goal essays, be sure to emphasize how math has impacted your character and interests in life. Show the scholarship committee why you are a deserving candidate and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.
What you need to do for your applications:
Make sure to tailor your essay to the particular scholarship.
Research each scholarship and understand the values and key ideas that you can connect with them in your essays.
Double-check that you filled out each piece of information correctly. Include every piece of documentation that they ask for!
Apply for scholarships in different categories!
Be prepared, stay organized, and have your essays proofread by others!
Don’t send the same EXACT essay to every scholarship you apply for.
Don’t use slang in your essays. Keep everything professional.
Don’t limit yourself to one type of scholarship. Balance it out! Don’t be intimidated if the scholarship asks for more.
REMEMBER: Once you receive an award, ALWAYS say thank you to the scholarship donors. Take the time to write out a letter to thank them for helping you with your future endeavors.
In addition to helping you pay for college, the process of applying for scholarships can also prepare you for the future. By honing your application and interview skills now, you'll be better equipped to compete for internships and jobs down the line. So, use this as an opportunity to develop these technical skills and start preparing for your future. Good luck with your scholarship applications!
Further reading and resources:
on Substack recently wrote this excellent piece on the SAT's place and purpose for middle-class families.
Jack Delehey’s College Confidence Group is a forum-based community where Jack and I answer broad, general questions for parents with college-bound teens.
Tigerway is a proud Founding Member of the National Test Prep Association (NTPA) where the NTPA consistently communicates with the College Board’s SAT Exam Team and ACT Exam to understand the future of academics and standardized testing.
Connect with us Today - get your Grades, SAT/ACT Scores, and increase the likelihood of admission offers into the most selective U.S. Universities:
Text us directly on our website: https://www.tigerwayprep.com/
Or book a call with our program officer Jasmine Ngo to get priority status on the private coaching waitlist where our private coaches help students academically and with individualized college strategy.