Scholarship 101 A guide for applications in 2015

Scholarship 101

A guide for applications in 2015

Scholarship 101

▪ A black and white summary of your 4-H and non 4-H activities

▪ A review of you, educating yourself through 4-H participation

▪ A building block for future applications

Scholarship 101

▪ From when you started in 4-H you have heard the term “Learning by Doing”. Now that you’re wrapping up your 4-H member activities it’s time to review just what significant activities you did in 4-H. What were those experiences that you learned from?

Scholarship 101

▪ Why are those experiences important?

– Seaman A. Knapp, the founder of the Extension concept, put it this way-▪ What you hear, you will probably doubt.▪ What you see, you will probably doubt.▪ But what you do for yourself, you can not possible doubt!

– John Dewey, a founder of modern educational concepts stated:▪ Experiential learning takes place when a person involved looks back

and evaluates it, determines what was useful or important to remember, and uses this information to perform another activity.

Scholarship 101

▪ Resources to be utilized:–Your 4-H Permanent and Participation

Records [Project records may be utilized for details]

–Award application help sheet–Action verb list–Appropriate writing style comparison –Scholarship application forms ** 2015

forms are new and the answers boxes adjust in size**

Scholarship 101 “4-H Life Skills” Reference Chart

General Guidelines-

▪ 1. Put the most important information first, working keywords into the body of the explanation.

▪ 2. Use "action" verbs to communicate accomplishments and results. Use present tense in referring to activities in which you are currently engaged. Describe previous activities in the past tense. [An action verb list has been added to the award website].

▪ 3. Make your application easy to look at and follow. It should read more like an outline than narrative. Do not use first person pronouns. The "I" is implied as the subject when you are writing about yourself. Use incomplete sentences or “chop” phrases. Maintain a consistent format.

General Guidelines-

▪ 4. CAPITAL LETTERS are acceptable; however for the human reader, use them sparingly for effect and attention grabbing. Boldface may be acceptable but should be used sparingly as well.

▪ 5. You may use bullets but make sure they are solid, not hollow symbols and that at least one blank space, up to two blank spaces, are inserted between the bullet and the text. Using more than two blank spaces defeats the purpose of the bullet by placing the text too far from it.

▪ 6. Always proofread your document for visual quality, content, and typographical, and spelling errors. Have several other people proofread your application as well.

General Guidelines-

▪ 7. Plan ahead. Do not anticipate writing your best application overnight. Test the forms ahead of time to see how they open and close.

▪ 8. Use plenty of white space. The human eye likes white space.

▪ 9. Use one font size -12 points. Use only Arial, a non-decorative typeface throughout.

▪ 10.Write achievements! The application is about YOU, and how you performed and what you accomplished in 4-H and other activities. What life skills did you acquire?

Scholarship 101

▪ Where do I start?– First read all the questions and review the points on

the evaluation sheet– Look for key words that will guide you towards an

appropriate answer.▪ Is the question asking for lists and descriptions?▪ Is the question an essay type?▪ Is there more than one segment of the question

that requires an answer? [If the question has three parts and you only answer one of them you’ve lost 2/3 of the possible points before it is read!]

Scholarship 101

▪ How do I get the answers?–Resume writing begins with making a list

of your accomplishments–Your list is already done! It’s all there in

your Permanent Record.▪ Action verbs will need to be added to enhance the activity

Scholarship 101

▪ What were your greatest accomplishments?▪ Review your Permanent Record–Take 2 highlighters with different colors [Just make dots don’t color everything]▪ Use one color to mark the greatest things you’ve done!

▪ Good accomplishments should be marked with the other color.

*The color coding will speed up the process the next time you fill out an application

Scholarship 101

▪ Now you are ready to start the sorting and prioritizing process. It is not possible to put everything you have done in 4-H and the rest of your activities into any application. A good rule of thumb is if at least two to three action verbs can’t be applied to the activity then it probably isn’t significant enough to be included.

▪ Make sure that the communication style/language you use fits the reader. Scholarship applications normally are read by adults. If you ramble about in writing the reader most likely isn’t going to take the time to sort out what you are trying to say! The resume style approach is being suggested as the “chopped phrase” method cleans up the answers. Your most important achievements should be at the beginning or top of a list. If the question is regarding growth in a project or skill development, the answer would then be in chronological order [Make sure you put it in the order requested].

▪

Scholarship 101

▪ Letters of Recommendation

▪ DefinitionA “Recommendation Letter” or “Letter of Recommendation” is a letter in which the writer assesses the qualifications, skills, abilities, interests, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function.

▪ “Recommendation Letters” are almost always requested by someone, and are therefore normally specifically addressed to that particular requester. Recommendation letters are typically related to employment, college admissions, or scholarship eligibility.

Scholarship 101

▪ Definition of a Reference Letter

A “Reference Letter” or “Letter of Reference” is a letter in which the writer makes a general assessment of the qualities, interests, attitude, integrity, community involvement, and personal characteristics of a person.

▪ Reference letters are typically used in situations where an individual’s character is being assessed. A reference letter also confirms details about an individual’s situation or circumstances.

▪ Reference letters are general in nature and usually addressed to “Whom It May Concern”. If the name of the recipient is known, you should address the letter to that person specifically.

DANE COUNTY SCHOLARSHIPS

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPS

▪ TWELVE $1000 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

▪ MAXIMUM 7 PAGE APPLICATION with 4 PAGES FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS

DAVID P. DICKSON 4-H LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

▪ TWO $2000 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED

▪ APPLICATION CONSISTS OF 5 QUESTIONS WITH A 2 PAGE MAXIMUM LENGTH

▪ FINAL WINNERS ARE SELECTED AFTER INTERVIEWs

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPS

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSSECTION I: 4-H LEADERSHIP [20]

▪ LIST MOST SIGNIFICANT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EACH CATEGORY

–OFFICES–4-H PROJECT LEADERSHIP–4-H CLUB ACTIVITY LEADERSHIP–COUNTY/DISTRICT/STATE/INTERNATIONAL 4-H

LEADERSHIP

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSECTION II:PROJECT GROWTH [20]

▪ SHOW GROWTH IN 2 PROJECT AREAS

OVER SEVERAL YEARS

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSECTION III:4-H ACTIVITIES [10]

▪ LIST & EXPLAIN

your most significant 4-H activities

*Dickson Scholarship question #1

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSECTION IV:COMMUNITY SERVICE[4-H AND NON 4-H [20]

▪ LIST & EXPLAIN your most important CS activities in=–4-H–NON 4-H

*The Dickson Scholarship application asks a similar question but also wants to know how you will continue such activities

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSECTION V:AWARDS & RECOGNITION [4-H & NON 4-H] [5]

▪ LIST awards received [No trophies, ribbons or similar awards]–4-H

–NON 4-H

DANE COUNTY 4-H SCHOLARSHIPSECTION VI: DISCUSSION QUESTION

[10]

▪ Review your experiences in 4-H=–How did the program help you?–What contributions did you make to your

community because you were a 4Her?



▪ QUESTION #1 [20]

–Describe your most significant activities in 4-H and the number of years for each activity

* Dane Co. Scholarship section III question plus the years of performance


▪ QUESTION #2 [15]

–Describe your most significant school activities


▪ QUESTION#3 [20]

–Tell about your community service and how such activity will be continued

* The first part of this question is Dane Co. Scholarship section IV question


▪ QUESTION#4 [30]

–Write about your leadership responsibilities in the previous described activities▪ Why did you take the lead?▪ Why will you be a leader in the future?

*Multiple part question-answer all sections


▪ QUESTION#5 [15]

–Discuss what you will be doing in 10 years and how your activity participation will help you realize that vision

–*This answer should be limited to one paragraph. The point allocation doesn’t warrant additional space.

I THINK I’M DONE

▪ Did you proof read each answer? Did you have someone else read your answers? The work must be yours alone but that doesn’t mean you can’t have someone else read the application.

▪ Have you minimized the usage of duplicate words. The action verb list has enough examples to avoid using the same one over and over. You may need to check for a synonym of a word but make sure it has the same meaning as the original word.

▪ Do a trial printing to make sure you’re within the maximum number of pages. Do the pages look orderly or like a Chinese puzzle? Did you use the current application form?

I THINK I’M DONE

▪ Got all the signatures and letters of recommendation?

▪ All the typing is 12pt Arial

▪ Re-check all the verbs and eliminate any in passive form

▪ Is what your are submitting consistent with your best self? If you can answer this question with a “yes” you’ve made your best shot!

* 2015 applications for the Dane County Scholarships and the David P. Dickson Scholarships are due in the Dane County Extension Office by 4:30 pm Monday, March 2nd, 2015

WISCONSIN 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

$10,000 in scholarships awarded annually

WISCONSIN 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

▪ wis4hfoundation.org/support-4-h/538-2/

▪ Applications include:– 1 page resume– 1 page cover letter– 1 page project listWisconsin 4-H Foundation scholarships are awarded to students based on demonstrated personal growth, development and leadership, academic performance and future educational goals.

Websites for assistance- www.edinaschools.org/Page/1898- http://fyi.uwex.edu/4hrock/awards-

recognition/

http://www.edinaschools.org/Page/1898



THE INTERVIEW

▪ The leading applicants for the Dickson Scholarships will be required to complete an interview for final selection.

▪ The interview will be approximately 15 minutes in length.

THE INTERVIEW

▪ Interview prep=

- REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION– Dress right! No jeans no matter what they cost. Short skirts-leave

them in the closet! Gals-if you have a pant suit, wear it. Guys-a tie is a must and a suit or blazer with it. 2/3’s of the interview committee will be business people so look good!

– Shake hands with all of the interviewers when you enter. [Practice]– Smile and repeat your name as you make physical contact with each

individual.– Sit on the front 2/3rds of the chair and try to avoid leaning back.– Maintain good eye contact with individuals asking questions– If you are not used to visiting with adults practice ahead of time– At the conclusion of the interview thank them and again shake hands

with each before you leave the room.

Scholarship 101

▪Good luck!!

Documents

Scholarship 101 A guide for applications in 2015