You’re a top-notch academic, but is it enough to make you distinctive among the other scholarship application candidates?
Well, sort of. While demonstrating your academic prowess is certainly a plus, extracurricular activities can be additional arrows in your quiver.
Students are trained to “get good grades” and to “look good on paper” but, thank goodness, there’s more to life than academics. So what do scholarship committee members look for beyond schoolwork?
What kind of activities make a difference when it comes to applying for a scholarship?
An expert on the Bermuda Scholarships committee told us that while scholarships are out there for all types, they aren’t looking to give money solely to straight A students who might not have any activities outside of academics.
The award providers are just as willing to look at the 2.0 to 3.0+ GPAs that have also engaged in activities outside of school to round themselves out as an individual.
Three areas that a scholarship provider might look for include: social group experience; volunteering; and work experience.
Especially when these activities are relevant to the scholarship and career you’re applying for, they can boost your profile and paint a more holistic picture of yourself.
On bermudascholarships.com, when you are filling out your profile, you should include details of your
Interests: everything from sports to music, debate to work experience, and teamwork of any kind.
You should also consider what the scholarship provider is looking for. If leadership positions are beneficial, include when you became a manager or leader in your group. Is teamwork a plus for your scholarship application? Don’t forget to include when you actively participated in the Pathfinders, Raleigh, or Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
To put it simply, activities and life skills outside of the classroom, whether as an individual or part of team, are of benefit to you.
Extracurricular activities include any volunteer work as part of your school-based community service hours. Use your earlier years of high school to point yourself in the right direction. For example, if you think you might want to go into nursing or medicine, consider becoming a candy striper or working for PALS or the Red Cross. Do you want to work with animals? Consider WindReach or a veterinarian’s office.
Bermuda has many charities that are happy to have volunteers come to assist them which can propel you on your career path as well. Make your volunteering experience relevant to what you want to do.
Lastly, work experience can be a huge strength for your scholarship profile. Have you learned how to run the audio/visual equipment at your church and you’re looking to become a sound engineer? That’s relevant experience. Looking to go into the environmental sciences and have worked with the National Trust or KBB? Don’t forget to include that.
If you’re in your junior and senior year and haven’t had the time or the opportunity to take advantage of extracurricular activities, never fear. Your grades, essay and application may be enough to get you into consideration. Leadership roles via your school should be noted (prefect, head boy, head girl) and ensure that any references speak to your work ethic, strengths and character.
This is the opportunity for you to build who you are outside of school. You are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. Put your best foot forward.
