Strategies applicants need to know to win scholarships
Strategies applicants need to know to win scholarships
JAKARTA (JP): Are there any sure-fire strategies for winning a
scholarship? The following list has been compiled from various
sources and should be helpful for anyone wishing to enter the
race:
1. Start looking for scholarships and planning at least one
year before the scheduled time to study.
2. Consider whether you are a member of an underrepresented
group, in need of financial assistance, or interested in a
specialized field of study. Scholarships are also available for
those with special interests in many areas, such as sports, arts,
science and music.
3. Discuss your ideas with a school/university counselor to
help you make the right decision.
4. Think about applying for a fellowship -- a scholarship for
graduate students.
5. Recognize what the offer is, there are several types of
funds, usually called financial aid, full scholarships, grants,
traineeships, etc.
6. Be prepared with school transcripts, financial information
and recommendation letters.
7. Be prepared for an interview, dress accordingly and be
honest with your answers.
8. Supply information about the skills required by the
scholarship for which you are applying.
9. Mail all the paperwork to the address listed on the
application.
10. Don't miss the deadline. This is a sensitive matter for
many foreign organizations.
11. Endure the weeks or months of waiting to find out whether
you have been awarded the scholarship and what you will receive.
12. Beware of scams! Many applicants are taken advantage of in
the scholarship scam game. Many fraudulent scholarship companies
advertise in newspapers and on the web, all promising "free money
for college", when all they're doing is targeting vulnerable
students. Remember to evaluate the options from your scholarship
institution.
The following is a list of websites established by
organizations that offer scholarships:
www.more.at/nec -- masters and doctorate programs in the
Netherlands.
www.nec.or.id -- masters and doctorate programs in the
Netherlands.
www.fapsp.com -- about the Fujitsu scholarship program.
www.ntu.edu.sg -- about Nanyang Technical University in
Singapore.
www.nippon-foundation.or.jp -- about Nippon Foundation/Asian.
Public Intellectuals (API) Fellowships.
www.adsjakarta.or.id -- for ADS scholarships for postgraduate
studies (masters and doctorates) in Australia.
www.usembassyjakarta.org/aminef -- Fullbright scholarships for
masters in the U.S..
www.chevening.or.id -- the Chevening award for masters programs
in the UK. (Nuraini Razak/I. Christianto)