Nobody ever said that attaining a high school scholarship was easy! It takes patience, perseverance and dedication to get a good Scholarship in an International school in Pune.
Most people even get intimidated at the very thought of high school scholarships but it isn’t as hard as it seems and can be attainable if you follow a few basic steps and stick to a few thumb rules.
Who wouldn’t want a scholarship in an International school in Pune? It’s a wonderful opportunity to avail good education on a platform where different mind-sets and cultures meet, in order to learn and grow together for the greater good. And the smart facilities offered are exceptional, giving you the much needed platform to further hone your skills.
Who can get a high school scholarship?
Now for those who are wondering what a scholarship entails, here is a short paragraph to familiarize you with the same.
Scholarships are financial aid awards that are granted to students who show exceptional performance in areas like academics, extracurricular activities and other subject expertise like technology and innovation. The student’s gross family income is also considered in order to be eligible for some of these scholarships.
Though there are different criterias to attain different high school scholarships, the process where the student gears up in order to be successful in getting a scholarship is the same.
However, during this process it is often quite common to make silly mistakes that could cost you a good scholarship.
Here is a list of these common mistakes and tips on how to avoid it when looking for high school scholarships
1. Not doing enough research when looking for high school scholarships
Most students do a brief research and end up missing out on a lot of scholarship options that are provided by not just schools and universities but other government aided programs too.
Therefore, it is necessary to research well in advance and talk to the right people in order to know your options. Remember to do this continuously until you have a list of plausible options in your hand before you start applying.
2. Missing the deadline for application
This mistake has been committed by all of us at some point in our lives but to a student who is applying for a scholarship, this can lead to wasted effort. The best way to keep track of deadlines is to keep constant reminders in your phone calendar or by pinning up a printout with dates in big bold letters at your desk. You can even use one of the many free apps available online to help organise this process.
3. Falling for scholarship scams
Though quite shocking, this is actually true. There are many students who have fallen for this old trick. The thumb rule to remember here is that no legitimate scholarship program asks a student money during the application process or any other point in time.
If you come across a situation like this, you should either refrain from it or complain to the authorities in the education department of your city or the city where the scam is being undertaken.
4. Failing to proofread your application and essay
Never fail to proofread all the applications and essay content before you make the submission. You can use online apps like Grammerly or you can take help of someone who is really good with the English language.
Thoroughly check all the details in your application at least 2 to 3 times before submission. While doing this, also remember to not leave out any important information that can be crucial in your selection process. And make sure you follow the instructions thoroughly.
5. Mistake of writing an essay that is drab and boring
The scholarship essay is by far one of the most important aspects of the selection process. There haven’t been enough blogs and articles that stress on this point time and again. Therefore, it is important to personalize your essay and be passionate about what you have written.
You should also stress on the positive impact you would like to create in other people’s lives with your long term visions and goals. Like mentioned earlier, ask an expert in the family or friend circle to take a look at your essay and give you feedback.
6. Not checking the eligibility criteria before applying for a high school scholarship
This can lead to disqualification right at the beginning of the application process. The criteria mentioned for each high school scholarship should be taken seriously and should match your achievements and strengths.
Carefully reading the criteria and understanding the details is quite important during this process. At the same time, remember not to ignore scholarships that match your eligibility criteria well.
7. Failing to try and get recommendation letters
It’s always a plus point to have a few glowing recommendation letters from your guides and teachers when you are applying for high school scholarships. A good recommendation holds substantial weight during the high school scholarship process. Get in touch with the relevant people and request them to write a recommendation letter and tell them the reason for needing a recommendation letter too.
High school scholarships are a great way to open doors to finer prospects and is a sure shot way to enhance your resume in your coming years when you are looking for a lucrative career. And if you manage to get a scholarship in an International school in Pune, it will be an added bonus to you.
These were some tips on how to avoid mistakes while applying for high school scholarships. Some of the international cbse board schools in pune provide a number of scholarships to students who have shown excellence in their areas of strength. It is well worth the effort to try and apply for these scholarships and decrease the burden of financial load on your family.
