You can find helpful tips on Novoresume. In addition, Harvard Chan alumni offer this advice:
- Get Organized! Keep an excel spreadsheet that lists the name, contact, and relevant deadlines for each scholarship, as well as a chart that indicates the status of your transcripts, recommendations, essays, and other requested materials.
- Take note of “postmark” versus “in-office” deadlines. Some scholarship organizations require that the materials be received in the office by a certain date, so be sure to send your application in a timely manner.
- Think Locally: Local Elks Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and other service organizations may offer scholarships. Also look at fraternities and sororities.
- Every little bit helps: The biggest awards are the most competitive. Consider applying for smaller scholarships, which tend to be less competitive and are also less likely to use strict cutoffs for grades and test scores.
- Let colleagues, friends, relatives, and mentors know that you’re looking for scholarships: Someone may be aware of an opportunity that is perfect for you, but you won’t know unless you ask!
- Always have a resume and transcripts ready to go: You never know when you may come across a scholarship opportunity. Have a trusted friend or mentor read over your resume or use your school’s career services center for feedback. It’s also useful to have transcripts on hand, so think ahead and ask your schools for several sealed copies of your official transcripts.
- Spellchecker is never enough: It can miss embarrassing spelling and grammar mistakes. Always have someone read over your materials to ensure that it looks professional.
- What do you want to be when you grow up? Most scholarships will ask for a statement that explains your future career goals. Thus, even before you apply, take the time to create an essay that highlights your background, achievements, and future aspirations.
- Make it easy for others to help you: When you ask for letters of recommendation, always provide a resume, most recent transcript, and a brief statement of your career goals. You can also provide an addressed, stamped envelope for your recommenders as well.
- Give thanks: Once you receive a scholarship, send a thank you note to the scholarship committee and your recommenders.