207 Chapter 10: Judges’ Roundtable: The Interview are willing to defend who they are and feel good about their beliefs. Not being ready to do this or not practicing for this kind of interview is a huge mistake.” Q How should students prepare for interviews? While interviews can be stress-inducing, there is something you can do to combat the tension—prepare. Here is some guidance for getting ready for the main event. Russ Hobbs Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Program “There are certain things that you can do to prepare for the interview. The no-brainer is knowing a little bit about Rotary. The interview is not designed to be a test like do you know all the capitals in the U.S. We presuppose that everyone is smart. What we’re more interested in is the applicants themselves. What do you believe in? What do you stand for? Those aren’t things that you can bone up on. They’re either part of who you are or not.” Georgina Salguero Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards “The interview is your 15 minutes of glory. This is not the time to be modest. You have bragging rights. Use this opportunity. Prepare for it and know what you want to say.” 208 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay First impressions are priceless since you only get one shot to make them. The following is a collection of tips from scholar- ship judges on how to avoid making a bad first impression. “When walking into the room don’t appear timid or afraid. Stride in with confidence. We learn a lot about an applicant from the way he or she crosses the distance from the door to the chair.” “Drink some water right before the interview. When nervous your throat naturally dries out and you don’t want the first words the judges hear to sound unnaturally hoarse.” “Don’t forget to look at all members of the judging panel when you speak. Some applicants look only at the members sitting directly in front of them but forget to turn to address those on the sides.” “Don’t get our names wrong. Since we interview with a panel of five judges we don’t expect applicants to remember our names. It’s better not to use our names in conversation if you can’t remember them than to call everyone by the wrong name.” “Sit up straight and still. Don’t slouch or fidget. It can be very distracting.” “Don’t hold pens or paper in your hands. It’s too easy to un- consciously play with these objects while talking.” “Smile when you first walk in even if you feel nervous.” Poor Ways to Begin an Interview Various Scholarship Judges 209 Chapter 10: Judges’ Roundtable: The Interview Participating Judges & Experts Leah Carroll, Coordinator, U.C. Berkeley Haas Scholars Program and former Program Coordinator, U.C. Berkeley Scholarship Connection Br ent Drage, Resource Development Assistant, Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Program Russ Hobbs, District Scholarship Chairman, Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Program J acq ui Love Marshall, Vice President of Human Resources, Diversity and Development, Knight Ridder Minority Scholars Program Ge org ina Salguero, Senior Manager, Programs and Events, Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards 210 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay Final ThoUghTS CHAPTER ELEVEN In this chapter: ■ A personal ending ■ A special request 212 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay A Personal Ending When you are just beginning the scholarship search it may seem like a daunting—if not downright impossible—task. But you need to keep in mind that the rewards of finding and applying for scholarships are substantial. Every student we interviewed recalled how that when start- ing it seemed like winning was a long shot. However, each student did apply and ultimately won. In this book you have met students who have won tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money. You no doubt have noticed they all have different backgrounds, achievements and aspirations. When applying, take the time to highlight your strengths. Show the scholarship judges why you deserve to win. You can do it. And the fact that you have made your way to the end of this book shows not only your commitment to winning but also gives you a tremendous advantage. Now you know what it takes to write a powerful essay and deliver a knockout interview. You have been wit- ness to success and failure and learned from both. We wrote this book because we wish that we had known what we do now back when we were applying. Although we were successful, we also learned some hard lessons that we want you to avoid. We would like to end with a personal story. When I (Kelly) was ap- plying for scholarships I found one offered by my father’s company. I was a junior in high school and didn’t have any idea what it took to win a scholarship. I thought that scholarships were based entirely on grades and test scores. Since I had good grades and high PSAT scores I thought I would win. I quickly filled out the application and wrote an essay. When it came time to interview I didn’t even practice. I went in cold and “winged it.” The whole time I assumed that I would win based on my academic achievements. In fact, I was so confident that I actually spent the rest of the summer waiting for the check to arrive. But the check never came. When I found out who won I was shocked. The student had lower grades and test scores than I did! Why did he win? How unfair! 213 Chapter 11: Final Thoughts That’s when I realized that the scholarship committee was looking for more than good grades and test scores. The following year I spent time on my essay. I also practiced for the interview with a friend. While I had spent much more time and effort this time I was rewarded when one day, out of the blue, an envelope arrived with a $2,500 check enclosed. You can win a scholarship through your essay and interview. Even though you might be tempted like I was to bang out an essay and run into an interview cold, don’t. You’ll spend less time but you won’t win. It takes time and effort to craft a powerful essay and hone your interview skills. But there are a lot of awards out there and someone has to win. Let’s make sure that it’s you. Special Request Before you embark on your own quest for scholarships, we have a special request. We would love to hear about your experiences with scholarships. We want to know what works and what doesn’t and how this book has helped you. Please send us a note after you’ve finished your own winning scholarship essays and interviews. You can reach us at: Gen and Kelly Tanabe c/o SuperCollege 3286 Oak Court Belmont, CA 94002 gen@supercollege.com kelly@supercollege.com 214 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay appendix a: ScholaRShip diRecToRy 216 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay $1,000 Gen and Kelly Tanabe Student Scholarship Scholarship Coordinator 3286 Oak Court Belmont, CA 94002 http://www.genkellyscholarship.com Purpose: Each year authors Gen and K elly Tanabe use a portion of the proceeds from the sales of their books to award a scholarship to outstanding high school, college and graduate students. Eligibility: Applicants must be 9th-12th grade high school students, college undergraduates or graduate students, be U.S. citizens or legal residents and may study any major and attend or plan to attend any accredited college or university in the U.S. S election is based primarily on the brief 250-word essay. Amount: $1,000. Number of Awards: Varies. Deadline: July 31. How to A pply: Applications are only available online. Please do not call or write for an application. $1,000 Gen and Kelly Tanabe Parent Scholarship Scholarship Coordinator 3286 Oak Court Belmont, CA 94002 http://www.parentscholarship.com Purpose: Each year authors Gen and K elly Tanabe use a portion of the proceeds from the sales of their books to award a scholarship to the parents of current high school or college students. Eligibility: Applicants must be parents of current high school or college students and be U.S. citizens or legal residents. The scholarship may be used for the student to study any major at any accredited college or university in the U.S. S election is based primarily on the brief 250-word essay. Amount: $1,000. Number of Awards: Varies. Deadline: June 15. How to Apply: Applications are only available online. Please do not call or write for an application. $1,000 Scholarship Sponsored by Sallie Mae College Answer/Sallie Mae 12061 Bluemont Way Reston, VA 20190 http://www.collegeanswer.com Purpose: To help students pay for college. Eligibility: Applicants may be high school, undergraduate or graduate students and must register on the C ollegeAnswer website. Each month one registered user is selected in a random drawing to receive the scholarship. When you are registered for the website or the Sallie Mae Scholarship Search, you are automatically entered into the scholarship drawing. Amount: $1,000. Number of Awards: 1 per month. Deadline: Monthly. How to A pply: Enter the scholarship by registering on the website. If you have already registered on the website or have a screen name and password, you are already entered for the scholarship. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Executive Women International (EWI) 515 South 700 East Suite 2A Salt Lake City, UT 84102 Phone: 801-355-2800 Fax: 801-355-2852 Email: ewi@executivewomen.org http://www.executivewomen.org Purpose: To assist adult students who face major life transitions. Eligibility: Applicants may be single parents, individuals just entering the workforce or displaced workers. A mount: Varies. [...]... grades 9 to 12 Applicants must submit essays to a local chapter for the first level of judging Amount: $750-$3,000 + trip to UN Headquarters Number of Awards: 3 Deadline: January 3 How to Apply: Applications are available from UNA-USA chapters National Merit Scholarship Program and National Achievement Scholarship Program National Merit Scholarship Corporation 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200 Evanston,... competitive and is based on literary and scholastic achievements, athletic achievement and character Amount: Varies Number of Awards: 32 Deadline: October How to Apply: Applications are available online Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship Program Rotary International One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-866-3000 Fax: 847-328-8554 Email: scholarshipinquiries@rotaryintl... “individual determination to succeed,” future goals, hardships that have been overcome, self motivation and financial need Amount: Varies Number of Awards: Varies Scholarship may be renewable Deadline: January 15 How to Apply: Applications are available online Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarships Discover Card c/o American Association of School Administrators 801 N Quincy Street Suite 700 Arlington, VA... 1 How to Apply: Essays may be submitted online Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program Horatio Alger Association Attn.: Scholarship Department 99 Canal Center Plaza Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-684-9444 Fax: 703-684-9445 http://www.horatioalger.com 226 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay Purpose: To assist students who are committed to pursuing a bachelor’s degree and have demonstrated... territories Applicants may apply for a Ronald Reagan Future Leaders Program grant during their sophomore or junior year Selection is based on merit and financial need Amount: $1,000-7,500 Number of Awards: Varies Scholarship may be renewable Deadline: January 15 How to Apply: Applications are available online Principal’s Leadership Award Herff Jones c/o National Association of Secondary School Principals... the age of 18 and be able to attend the awards reception in Washington, DC In addition to the monetary award, the institute will pay for travel and lodging expenses Three nominator forms, three copies of a 15-minute DVD or VHS videotape and additional materials are required Amount: $50,000 Number of Awards: Varies Deadline: March 30 How to Apply: Applications are available online Davis-Putter Scholarship. .. citizens and take the PSAT/NMSQT no later than the 11th grade Participation in the program is based on performance on the exam Amount: Varies Number of Awards: Varies Scholarship may be renewable Deadline: Varies How to Apply: Application is made by taking the PSAT/NMSQT test National Oratorical Contest American Legion Attn.: Americanism and Children and Youth Division P.O Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN... Selection is based on character, personal merit and commitment Merit is shown through leadership, academic achievement and motivation to serve and succeed Amount: $4,000-$20,000 Number of Awards: 250 Scholarship may be renewable Deadline: October 31 How to Apply: Applications are available online Coca-Cola Two-Year College Scholarship Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation P.O Box 442 Atlanta, GA 30301 Phone:... through an email instead of an online application Applicants who are 11 and 12 must enter by postal mail Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships Rotary International One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-866-3000 Fax: 847-328-8554 Email: scholarshipinquiries@rotaryintl org http://www.rotary.org 222 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay Purpose: The scholarships aims to improve... months of the grant Amount: $1,000-$2,000 Number of Awards: 50-100 Deadline: April 15 How to Apply: Applications are available online 220 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay Chinese American Citizens Alliance Foundation Essay Contest Chinese American Citizens Alliance 1044 Stockton Street San Francisco, CA 94108 Phone: 415-434-2222 http://www.cacanational.org Purpose: To provide a forum for expression . Association Attn.: Scholarship Department 99 Canal Center Plaza Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-684 -94 44 Fax: 703-684 -94 45 http://www.horatioalger.com 226 How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay Purpose:. 17. How to A pply: Application request information is available online. AXA Achievement Scholarships AXA Achievement Scholarship c/o Scholarship America One Scholarship Way P.O. Box 297 St 250. Scholarship may be renewable. Deadline: October 31. How to A pply: Applications are available online. Coca-Cola Two-Year College Scholarship Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation P.O. Box 442 Atlanta,