collegekid88

Has anyone ever sat for an interview for a scholarship? If so, what kinds of questions do they typically ask? Any pointers or advice? Thanks!

Northstarmom

Read the purpose of the scholarship, and read about the sponsoring organization. Typically the scholarship interview is designed to see how much the applicant fits the sponsoring organization's mission.

Thus, if the scholarship is offered by a service organization, the questions will focus on things like your community service and/or whether you have financial need.

If the scholarship is sponsored by a corporation, the interview will focus on your interest and experience in the corporation's main field. For instance, newspapers sponsoring scholarships want to help students who want to be in newspaper journalism as reporters, photographers, editors, etc. They aren't interested in sponsoring aspiring med students who happen to like writing for their school newspapers.

I suggest dressing formally and bringing a resume. Don't, however, buy new clothes or wear designer clothes and expensive jewelry. Even if need isn't part of the qualifications for the scholarship, if you come in a Jaguar wearing a $1,000 suit, the committee is likely to find a reason to give the scholarship to someone else.

outwestmom

Collegekid: Do you have a particular one in mind? Perhaps the parents will know the specifics of the style for the college ones.

nobleguy05

I had an interesting experience last week interviewing for a scholarship. I made a post about it:

My CRAZY UCLA Alumni Scholarship Interview experience...

spydersport824

I found out today that I got the maximum scholarship award I was interviewing for a few months ago from Wayne State, a full tuition presidential scholarship. It was a group interview and was basically a round-table discussion with 2 alums leading the discussion with questions. You should talk about how you are a good fit for the school you are interviewing at, even if the question is not directed at this response, you should be able to subtly add this in to your answer.

Northstarmom

spydersport-- Congratulations!

jeffreysan

interviews suck.

i did the same group interview at wayne state. its hard to remember now but i remember them asking questions about leadership, goals, why you chose xxxx, one about evaluating a gandi quote. everyone else seemed to have practiced sounding answers.

hey spyder are you accepting the presidential at wayne?

ranisparkle

jeffreysan, i did an interview at a state university and had a gandhi quote question too!

aim78

It was pretty good. Since I'm pre-med, they asked a lot of tough questions about medical issues. Talked about family, culture, asked me things like "Who is a big inspiration to you?" I did well overall. It's okay if your answers aren't perfect. I was a little vague on a few points, but we had a good time so I think the interviewer got a good impression of me. I never panicked, though at times I thought to myself, "Damn, this is like being on the news and having to answer one sentence questions in drawn out answers." Then I also thought, "They're throwing the balls after me one after another, and I'm hitting them out of the park." Remember, you're just 17 or 18, so it's not like a med school interview.

spydersport824

Thank you Northstarmom!
Jeffrey- I'm not 100% sure about attending Wayne State yet. My parents want to look at the pros and cons of going there vs. Michigan State. I was named an alternate to the Michigan State Medical Scholars Program, so if I get accepted to that, I'll be going for sure. I'm leaning heavily on Wayne State as of now, however.

jeffreysan

is that the program where you get guaranteed admittance into MSU's medical school? i know a girl that is doing that, she was ranked #1 in our class (real anal type)

im definately going to wayne though. $10k a yr at knox for tuition/board vs $0 tuition at wayne isnt really a decision for me, even though knox is without a doubt a better school. jw what area are you from?

belisaire

I've gone to two scholarship interviews, one for Vanderbilt University and one for the University of Maryland. Both of them were very successful; I recieved the highest scholarship for both ("highest honor that Vanderbilt can bestow upon a freshman" - full-tuition scholarship and Banneker/Key (full ride) at Maryland). My advice only applies for intraschool scholarships.

Most of the questions asked are just to get a feeling of who you are and whether or not you're actually real and the things you wrote were real. It's REALLY important to show that you REALLY want to go to the school. If you sound like you aren't interested, then they won't want to give you money! Also, the interview is 1/2 getting to know you and 1/2 letting you know more about the school to interest you. They've already selected you as an awesome candidate for the college, and they REALLY want you to come. They'll ask you if you have any questions, MAKE SURE YOU ASK. It shows that you've not only researched about the college, but also that you're INTERESTED.

Most of the questions they asked me were about my activities or things specifically from my application. They'll ask what influences you and what you will bring to the college.

Don't stress too much. They've probably already decided how much money they want to give you at this point, they just want to make sure that they were right.

UCLAclassof2009

They will ask you what you like about that particular school

I have had 2 scholarship interviews so far and both schools asked me that. They want someone who is passionate for their school.

spydersport824

Jeff- I'm pretty sure I'm going to Wayne State now. I'm from Troy, where are you from? I also got $10.5K per year from Kalamazoo College which makes it about $22k per year to attend.haha. I think I'll take my free ride to Wayne State, thank you.lol. Maybe I'll see you on campus? (I assume you also got presidential, from your last post)

Dima343

If you submitted an essay for the scholarship, your interviewer(s) will probably have it. Prepare to defend your positions vigorously.