karagon7

So, I just received the letter saying my son would not be getting any Alumni Scholarships. I am wondering what kept him from receiving one? (#1 class rank, 4.67 gpa. SBO President, leadership, blah, blah, blah) Since everyone that applied was probably at the top of their class, can you please take a moment to post what you think helped you in achieving this award? What did you do to stand out? Since he will be trying for scholarships again next year, your answers may help him. Thank you!

vc08

I received one.

It really has nothing to do with rank, etc. once you get to the interview stage; then it's all about how you answer their random questions lol! I think I was pretty creative, and (not to sound arrogant ) but I think interviews are my strong point (I've won every scholarship I've had to interview for)....so I guess maybe he could work on that!

As for what I did to "stand out," I captained multiple sports teams, made all-league/all-academic team, was president of an honors society for 2 years (first time in school history), and quadrupled membership during that time...led service drives to 3 different countries, attended leadership conference on public policy at Georgetown, participated in international sporting event on East Coast and captained my team there, etc....

Also, my essay was very tailored to UCLA; I mentioned specific traditions, people, professors, etc. that would make my experience there memorable, almost like a poem kinda. They mentioned at my interview that they were very impressed with it so I guess that probably helped!

Hope I helped, let me know if you want anything else!

karagon7

Thank you VC. You really did stand out!

Im1600

I received an Alumni Scholarship. My interview went well, and I was told that I was picked due to my wide breadth of experiences and "thoughtful answers". I am in the top 5 of my school academically and am currently taking 6 AP classes, I took 4 AP classes last year and received all 5s. I also did very well on the SATs. I was on the football team throughout high school and served as team captain my senior year. I served two years in student government, started a club, and served as President of two clubs. During high school I performed in Caltech's annual Shakespeare play - As You Like It during my sophomore year and Winter's Tale during my junior year. I organized and headed a book drive for a local elementary school that had no budget for its library. I have voluteered as a tutor and worked during the summer at a nonprofit tutoring center for disadvantaged students. I tutored kids in general math, statistics, chemistry, English and foreign language. I have travelled quite a bit and am pretty comfortable talking to people from a variety of backgrounds. Additionally, my letters of recommendation were from people who had worked with me or knew me outside of school, including the parent of one the children I had tutored.

shadburg

i received an alumni scholarship. i'm not going to waste my breath on telling you my extracurriculars, because trust me, every kid applying had them. honestly, it was the interviews, hands down, that you were judged on. did your initial application yield a phone call? yes. but after that, you were judged solely on how you dealt with the questions thrown at you, in terms of poise, creativity, and thoughtful, analytical answers. you're resume is wonderful, but- without sounding condescending- everyone's was. it was up to how your interviews and answers made you stand out in the judges' minds.