How to Prepare for Scholarships

Often times, when it's time to fill out college scholarships, students and parents are at a loss for what information they need to put down. This comes from poor planning, and my helpful tips are for the student seeking help or for the parent wanting to stay ahead of the game.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar
• Camera
• Document Storage
• Computer Spreadsheet

Instructions

1. Begin your preparation beginning your freshman year of high school. Students need to start taking advantage of volunteer opportunities, clubs, sports, academics, and competitions. Don't worry these activities do not have to take up all of the students times, but they can easily be worked in. Make sure your student participates in some type of activity like this at least 4 times a year.

2. Once your student begins participating in programs, have them take a camera with them to big events to take pictures to document the activity. These pictures come in handy for scholarship applications that ask you to show what you've participated in or for the applications that allow you to answer their questions in any way that you would like, i.e., make a scrapbook.

   Be sure to keep these photos digitally (it's cheaper) in a file labeled clearly (the name is up to you) on your computer. Or, you can go ahead and have the prints made and keep them in a scrapbook of your own for easy access.

3. Each event needs to be kept in a log. I prefer using a spreadsheet because it is simple to view and to insert the information. Here is a list of what you need to document:

   Grade
   Date
   Name of Event
   Position
   Duties
   Name of Reference for your Attendance

4. If you take the time to prepare thoroughly, then filling out scholarship applications are a breeze. Be sure to document every activity. Here are some examples that can should be documented:

   Staying After School to Tutor
   Visits to Nursing Homes
   Donations to Local Charities (Items & Monetary)
   All Club Activities (Document Meetings & Positions held also)
   All Church Activities
   All Community Organization Activities (ex: American Legions, Rotary Clubs, etc)
   All Sports (Community & School)
   Awards Won (Yes, Prom King/Queen or Student of the Month definitely counts)

Tips & Warnings

• Update your spreadsheet before the event (if the information is readily available) or at least update it right after the event

• If you're not sure if an activity is worth documenting, DOCUMENT IT ANYWAY

• If the activity is annual, then document it yearly. DO NOT just update the existing space

• Arrange the information clearly and in a way that is easily understood by you