<p>For the Elks most valuable student scholarship, where can I find the online application?</p>
<p>It doesn’t come out for a while. It’s not due until like February I think.</p>
<p>The 2008 Most Valuable Student Scholarship application will be made available on September 1, 2007, either online at <a href=“http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm[/url]”>http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm</a> or from your local Elks lodge. It will be due on January 11, 2008.</p>
<p>The best way to find information for this and many other scholarships is to do a quick Google search for the scholarship’s website and browse the FAQ’s. FYI, the MVS Scholarship application is actually a form to be downloaded and submitted in a folder/notebook (brochure as the ENF–Elks National Foundation–calls it), not online. </p>
<p>I would suggest getting it the application as soon after September 1 as possible and start compiling the components together. If you’re curious, here’s how it’s judged:</p>
<p>The application is judged on the following merits:</p>
<p>Scholarship ACT or SAT score 450 points
Transcript<br>
Counselor Report </p>
<p>Leadership Employment 350 points
Community Service<br>
Honors/Awards<br>
Leadership<br>
Extracurricular Activities<br>
Recommendations, Completeness and Presentation of Brochure<br>
Essay </p>
<p>Financial Need 195 points
Exhibits 5 points
Total 1000 points</p>
<p>The number of prizes have been increased from first through third place to first through seventh place. The top 500 student scores will be awarded scholarships. All this information was found on the MVS website at <a href=“http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm[/url]”>http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm</a> and the FAQ’s. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM. As a 2006 National Finalist, I’d be more than happy to pass on any suggestions. Good luck!</p>
<p>OH forget it. I don’t think I can demonstrate financial need at all.</p>
<p>My D made it to the state level and received $1500 and we don’t have dire fin aid needs (EFC was $13,000+). It’s a scholarship whose app is out fairly early - if I were you and your other components are strong I’d still submit.</p>
<p>proud husky – thanks for the information! Does the competition involve an interview at any point? My son would apply to the local lodge, but he would not be in town during the school year because he attends a boarding school.</p>
<p>afruff23–In leafing through my application from 2 years ago (It’s very useful to make copies of everything you submit), there is no indication on the application or the instructions as to how financial need is defined (i.e. No income cutoff). All they ask for is a one page financial analysis form for your parents to fill out (as well as the opportunity for your parents to explain your financial situation). It is only one component of the application, and like abasket said, if you have other strong components, you should definitely give it a shot. Remember, it starts locally so the pool of applicants is much smaller.</p>
<p>hsmomstef–My pleasure. =) The competition does not involve an interview. It is based solely on the student brochure (folder with the application form and the required components). I do not know if they have changed the application at all since I applied in 2006, but the best way to find out is to check the website when the application comes out.</p>
<p>No seriously. My parents probably make over 200k a year so I don’t think I can show any need and thus scholarships with “need” as any part of the app exclude me.</p>
<p>Any tips or suggestions on putting together your exhibit/profile?</p>
<p>I’m wondering about this too.</p>
<p>It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so I thought I’d share a few tips on the brochure that worked well for me:</p>
<p>I used a 3-ringed folder (like a Mead folder) and hole-punched my application and supporting materials/copies of my exhibits. Sheet protectors are nice, but not necessary. When I submitted mine, I actually just used B&W photocopies of my exhibits.</p>
<p>The exhibits themselves can range anywhere from certificates of achievement (academic letters, pins, induction into NHS or other activities of the sort, past scholarships/awards, etc.). I even included a brochure I created for a club I started at my school. I saw that as an example of leadership. As my brochure/application passed through each level (local, district, state, etc.), I received a lot of good feedback from the different Elk’s Lodges. </p>
<p>The exhibits themselves only make up 5 points of the overall application, so I would emphasize the activities/community service and especially the essay in your application. I would also suggest developing a theme for your application so that everything flows together more cohesively. Mine was a theme of international relations leadership which I showed by prioritizing my international relations activities on my list (Model UN, World Affairs Council, etc.) and in my essay which related directly to that passion. </p>
<p>My mistake was that my essay didn’t delve deeply into that subject but rather danced around the surface. I’d encourage applicants to write on a deeper level of thinking, not just what your interests are or describing what you’ve done but rather showing all the levels that explain why you do the things you do (what is your motivation for doing the things you’ve done, what experiences have brought you to where you are today, etc.). Basically, the bottom line is: make it personal.</p>
<p>I hope these tips are helpful. If anyone has any specific questions they’d like me to answer, please send me an email. I’d be happy to help.</p>