3 Common Misconceptions about Scholarships
Scholarships may be confusing to many, while for others they may seem like a pipe dream. There are many myths and misconceptions floating around about scholarships, and many people end up not applying for one because of them. However, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table by not considering one. Here are some of the most common myths about scholarships.
Only Academic Geniuses and Star Athletes can get Scholarships
This is probably one of the most widespread and persistent myths about scholarships. While, yes, academic requirements and athletic abilities may help you get a scholarship, it goes far deeper than that.
Requirements for scholarships are as varied as scholarship themselves and some have absolutely nothing to do with athletics or academics. For instance, the Blue Sky scholarship is open to anyone who’s interested in the online marketing field. They might look at someone’s creativity, drive, and passion as their main judging criteria. If you want to learn more about the Blue Sky scholarship, visit usascholarships.com.
Some scholarships just delve into the bizarre and have completely off the wall requirements. For instance, the Duck Tape company will award a scholarship to anyone with the guts to go to prom with an outfit made out of Duck Tape. The candidates will then go before a panel of judges who will decide to whom the scholarship will be awarded.
So, if you have less than stellar test scores or aren’t particularly athletic, don’t hesitate to look at options; you may be able to find a scholarship that works for you.
You must be an Outstanding Essay Writer to be Accepted
Again, that is not necessarily true. While essay writing skills may help, the main goal should be to express your thoughts and opinions in a clear way. You should be focusing on conveying your skills, goals, and qualifications rather than being an outstanding writer.
The most important thing you should be focusing on is having the proper structure, staying on subject, and making sure that none of your essay has been plagiarized. Other than that, you should be worrying about expressing your personality and creativity instead of trying to impress the judges with your writing skills.
The Competition for Scholarships is too Fierce
While competition for major scholarships at Ivy League schools can be very competitive, it doesn’t mean that all scholarships are the same. The more scholarship program you apply for, the more chances you have of getting accepted.
Not only that, but you also have to factor in all the applications that get rejected due to negligence. Smaller, less popular scholarships often reject tons of applications because the candidate didn’t fit the profile or made errors in their application that made them ineligible. This can greatly increase your chances of getting accepted, granted you followed the requirements to the letter.
Conclusion
These are only some of the misconceptions circulating about scholarships. If you were thinking of applying for one, don’t let these myths stop you. There are tons of scholarships out there available for all types of students, so don’t pass out on this opportunity.