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Associate Librarian and Scholarly Services Librarian
Application Tips
Ready to start applying for funding opportunities? Review the tips and resources below to prepare a winning application:
- Allow time to prepare materials. Scholarship applications require significant time and effort. Most opportunities will ask you to submit an essay or personal statement, one or more letters of recommendation, and an application form. Give yourself ample time to draft, proofread, and polish an application that makes the best case for your candidacy!
- Read instructions carefully. Review the directions for every scholarship application you prepare. Although many will require similar materials, each scholarship will provide specific instructions regarding what you should submit, how it should be formatted, and how you should transmit it.
- Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. Scholarships may require that you study a particular subject, have specific career goals, meet citizenship or residency requirements, or have a GPA above a minimum threshold. Not certain if you meet a scholarship's requirements? Reach out to the scholarship's contact person.
Seattle University's Office of Fellowships offers additional information and materials designed to help you prepare a strong application - visit their resources page or contact them for support.
Scholarship Essays & Personal Statements
Essays and personal statements are the most important components of scholarship applications. They allow you to showcase your unique qualities and explain any weak points of your application. Leave time for multiple drafts, get feedback from others, and proofread carefully.
Seattle University's Office of Student Persistence recently offered a workshop providing detailed advice on writing the scholarship essay - review the workshop slide deck and reach out for personalized scholarship support:
These additional resources offer tips for writing an essay that will help you stand out from the crowd:
- UC Davis - Writing a Personal StatementStart-to-finish advice on the process of crafting a scholarship essay or personal statement.
- UMass Amherst - Tips for Scholarship ApplicationsAlong with useful tips for all aspects of the application process, this resource offers guidance on structuring essays for specific scholarship types, including research, internship, and study abroad scholarships.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are an important part of many scholarship applications, but students are often unsure who should write them and how to ask for them. The resources below will help you approach this part of the application process with confidence:
- Seattle University Office of Fellowships - Obtaining Strong Letters of RecommendationSeattle University's Office of Fellowships offers a detailed handout on obtaining letters of recommendation that will enhance your applications.
- UC Davis - Requesting a Letter of RecommendationThorough guidance on asking for letters of recommendation, including helpful tips on developing relationships with instructors and employers who can serve as recommenders.