This is the document you requested by sending e-mail to: wtsh@voron.com ------------------------------------------------------------- WINNING THE SCHOLARSHIP HUNT... A Personal Account and Strategy Guide By Neal R. Voron, President Voron Communications 8001 Castor Avenue, Suite 119 Philadelphia, PA 19152 nvoron@voron.com * info@voron.com http://www.voron.com Copyright 1992, 1995, 1996 by Neal R. Voron Reproduction of this report is permitted provided all of the identification information above appears on each copy and a description of usage and sample copy are forwarded to the author. ------------------------------------------------------------ This free report offers suggestions for a general strategy for students to consider when pursuing scholarships. The author makes no guarantees or claims about the strategy's effectiveness. Ultimately, the availability of scholarship funds and each student's efforts to obtain them largely determines how successful he or she will be. No liability is assumed for circumstances resulting from an individual's use of any of the suggestions presented. ------------------------------------------------------------ WHY BOTHER APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS? * Obtaining a scholarship can mean the difference between going to college or not going; * Unlike student loans, scholarship money does not have to be repaid (it could save you from hundreds to many thousands of dollars -- depending upon the size of your scholarship award -- and enable you to leave college in a much better financial position); * Even if you apply for but do not receive a campus- based scholarship, the information you supply on your application could help convince the school to offer you more grant money or other types of aid; * Having earned a scholarship looks good on your resume when applying for jobs during and after college; and, * Knowing that you have earned a scholarship feels wonderful! * * * * * * * Dear Scholarship Seeker, Winning the scholarship hunt and gaining hundreds or thousands of dollars toward one's schooling -- money that does not have to be paid back -- is possible. I know... because it happened for me! Now, I would like to help you win the hunt, too! But first, allow me to share a pleasant experience in my life -- hopefully one similar to what you could enjoy... One of the most thrilling events for me occurred when the phone rang on what had been a typical February day during my senior year in high school in 1979. Calling long- distance from Pittsburgh to my home in Philadelphia was the late Vincent LaBarbera, then chairman of the Journalism and Communications Department at Point Park College. Dad answered the phone. The call was for me. Instantly, a sense of anticipation and excitement filled the air. Could this be the call we were hoping to receive?!! I picked up the phone and spoke with Professor LaBarbera for the very first time. The person behind the name I had come to know as the college's liaison for "The Scholarship" suddenly came alive with excitement. It gave him great pleasure, he said, to inform me that I was selected as the 1979 recipient of the number one Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers' Association scholarship to Point Park College -- the scholarship that covered tuition, room, board, and books for four years! Would I accept, he wanted to know! "Yes!" I exclaimed, ecstatic that my many efforts over a period of years had culminated in this golden opportunity to pursue my college education. I had previously been worried I would not be able to afford to attend college at all. Dad was thrilled. Mr. LaBarbera suggested I wait until Mom came home before I gave him a final decision. We both knew the answer, but he wanted me to have the opportunity to discuss the situation with both parents. Every child should have the chance to see his or her parents beaming as proudly as my parents were that night! I accepted the scholarship and subsequently received a quality academic and experiential education at Point Park College. Mr. LaBarbera became my mentor and "surrogate parent in Pittsburgh" as he had pledged to my parents he would be. What was the scholarship worth to me? In dollars at that time, my education was valued at more than $27,000 over four years. But the monetary value pales in comparison to the scholarship's great impact upon my personal, academic and career development. It enabled me to more freely pursue the attainment of my potential during college and subsequent years. Friend, I now hope the principles I followed during my scholarship quest plus others that I have formulated since then will help you in winning your own scholarship hunt. While many factors are involved in the scholarship recipient selection process, and there is no way that I could guarantee your success, I strongly believe following the suggestions I have outlined can greatly enhance your chances of obtaining a scholarship. It is important to understand that, to a large degree, your success is up to you. Go for it! Sincerely, Neal R. Voron President, Voron Communications P.S. -- This report features a "Personal Scholarship Hunt Strategy Guide" worksheet for you to plot your own action plan. Use it to your advantage!... Incidentally, your comments about this report are always welcome. Please forward them to me, c/o Voron Communications, 8001 Castor Avenue, Suite 119-WTSH, Philadelphia, PA 19152 or via e-mail: nvoron@voron.com. I also love to hear good news about scholarships, so if you have some to share, please write! Thanks! * * * * * * * MY KEYS TO WINNING THE SCHOLARSHIP HUNT: "READY!... AIM!... APPLY!" If you are a student at the very top of your class academically, or if you otherwise have strong scholastic or skill qualifications, a scholarship (or several) may find you without very much -- or any -- extra special effort on your part. Your teachers, counselors, or other people who know of your abilities may nominate you for certain awards, or certain colleges may be particularly interested in recruiting you. But would you count on that happening? Should you count on that happening? And, if you receive a particular scholarship, will it be sufficient to cover all of your financial need? ------------------------------------------------------------- I caution you not to rely upon the chance that being awarded a scholarship will "just happen". Do not allow your future to teeter on the balance of lottery-type odds... Instead, do things that will: (1) prepare you to be a well-qualified scholarship candidate; and (2) assure that you will be considered for a scholarship award. ------------------------------------------------------------- I graduated 42nd in a class of approximately 400 students at Central High School of Philadelphia, a well-known, highly- regarded academic high school. I did not count on "happen- stance", and it was good that I did not! Although I received several awards amounting to a total of $125 from my high school upon graduation, I could not have relied upon happen- stance if I wanted a scholarship to finance my college education. What I felt I really needed to be able to attend college (a large scholarship award) did not "just happen". But it did "happen." Why? Frankly, to a large degree, it is probably because I was very fortunate that the three- person final judging committee comprised of professional journalists selected my application. But beyond that, I believe there are several other important reasons: * I was READY; * I took AIM; and * I made sure to APPLY. In short, I went on a proactive scholarship hunt... I prepared myself to be able to present solid academic and skill credentials. I identified the scholarship I sought. Then I applied with the best possible application I could. "READY!... AIM!... APPLY!" -- It made sense to me then, and it still does. I always believed it would work, and -- for me -- it did. It changed my potential scenario from a slim-chance lottery to a quality choice selection in which I was a bonafide candidate. Will my "READY!... AIM!... APPLY!" approach work for you in your scholarship hunt? Only time and your efforts will tell. There is one thing I do know: the decisions I made while on my "scholarship hunt" led me to gain some very worthwhile and invaluable knowledge and experiences. I think I won more than just a scholarship -- I developed as a person. ------------------------------------------------------------- AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Your scholarship hunt need not -- and, I think, should not -- become an obsession. For me, the strategy was simply an informal guideline to decision-making regarding what activities I would join and how involved and dedicated I would be in pursuing those activities. I think the key in doing anything for your scholarship hunt is working towards personal development. Even if you do not receive the scholarship aid you seek, you may qualify for other types of financial aid which would enable you to attend college. ------------------------------------------------------------- PONDER THESE THOUGHTS... * If you have done things to DISTINGUISH yourself and can document them, your scholarship applications could be OUTSTANDING -- making you a strong candidate for a scholarship award! * THINK ABOUT THE JUDGES... What are they looking for? Who are they looking for? Show them YOU are the one! Make your application stand out based on merit. * THE PAYOFF of your scholarship hunt could be TREMENDOUS -- perhaps tens of thousands of dollars towards your education! ------------------------------------------------------------- READY!... The best time to start preparing for your scholarship hunt is RIGHT NOW regardless of what grade you are in. If earning a scholarship is indeed a goal of yours, get started working for it! Junior year in high school is an ideal time to start identifying specific scholarship opportunities, but I believe the more time you spend building your credentials, the better -- especially if you have an idea of what academic or career fields interest you the most. Perhaps I was a rare case, but I began thinking about my scholarship hunt strategy in middle school. This helped me determine which high school to attend, what courses to take, what extra-curricular activities to join, etc. My admissions and scholarship applications became firmly rooted with solid credentials based upon my accomplishments. Knowing that earning a scholarship was my goal aided my decision-making. Getting READY for winning the scholarship hunt involves several things: * Deciding what academic or career fields interest you; * Deciding what special talents you have that can be further developed; * Deciding what skills and experiences it would be advantageous to acquire to better qualify you for success in your academic or career field interest; * Taking steps to build the best possible credentials: high academic achievement; involvement in appropriate extra-curricular activities; attainment of useful skills; development of special talents; participation in community organizations as a member or volunteer; gaining of work experience; achievement of honors; demonstration of dedication and commitment to goals; etc.; * Earning quality references from teachers, counselors, and others who can attest to your demonstrated qualities; * Developing your writing skills so you can communicate effectively; * Keeping sight of your scholarship hunt goal and persistently and proactively working toward it. Work toward specific objectives, being flexible enough to modify them as situations merit. If you're getting a LATE start on your scholarship hunt, your diligence now could still pay-off -- either now or in future school years. The important thing is to prepare as much as you can in whatever time you have available prior to applying. Here are some suggestions for establishing the best possible personal credentials: * Get Good Grades; * Seek to Become Well-Rounded; * Attain High SAT Scores; * Specialize in Your Area of Interest; * Earn Good References; * Get Involved in Community Activities; * Participate in Extra-Curricular Activities at School; * Get Leadership Experience; * Learn Teamwork; * Become Internet-Literate; * Strive for Honors; etc. Be sure to build your credentials honestly. Do not join in activities just to "pad" your resume. Memberships and titles are hollow unless you participate and learn. You should be able to document your involvement in each activity. BEGIN NOW!... STOCK YOUR "CREDENTIALS FILE" Maintaining a file of information about your past and present activities could make things easier and prove helpful when you are completing admissions and scholarship applications. It will also come in handy when you prepare your resume. Document information as soon as possible so you won't forget important details! Suggested categories: * EDUCATION * HOBBIES * WORK EXPERIENCE * VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE * EXTRA-CURRICULAR * SKILLS ATTAINED ACTIVITIES * COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES * EXAMPLES OF DEDICATION * LIST OF REFERENCES/ * "NEGATIVES" TURNED INTO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION "POSITIVES" * HONORS RECEIVED * PERSONAL OBSTACLES OVERCOME It is also a good idea to keep a portfolio or scrapbook of your completed work so you can show samples of the quantity and quality of work you have done. Organize the samples into a presentable form. I believe the scrapbook of articles I had written during high school for my school newspaper and local newspapers was an integral part of my scholarship application. If you have received publicity in newspapers about your activities or accomplishments, keep copies of the articles available for documentation. AIM!... Knowing where and when to apply for scholarships -- and knowing which particular scholarships to target -- are critical elements of your scholarship hunt. The scholarship application process takes time and effort -- two resources you must be willing to invest. The key is to invest your time and effort wisely. Do not waste time unnecessarily. Take AIM at the scholarship opportunities that are most appropriate for you. Sources of scholarship information include: * Scholarship Search Databases (Search the World Wide Web on the Internet for appropriate databases) * Libraries and Bookstores * School Counselors * School Teachers * College Financial Aid Offices * College Admissions Representatives, and * Newspaper Articles, etc. Realize that you may qualify for some scholarships based on your academic achievement; community involvement; athletic ability; hobbies; membership in clubs or organ- izations; parents' employer or union affiliation; ethnic background; religion; military service; handicap; etc. There are also scholarship contests in different interest areas. Be sure to contact any of your affiliations to see if they offer scholarship opportunities. Some additional suggestions for taking AIM in your scholarship hunt: * Call or write for applications as soon as possible; * After receiving applications and reviewing guidelines, if time permits, do things that will improve your qualifications (ie. writing some articles for your school newspaper) * Write any required essays; and * Compile references, work samples, and any other required supporting materials. Give yourself the best chance with the best award prospects! ------------------------------------------------------------- PONDER THIS... * If you qualify to apply for a scholarship, then APPLY -- even if your credentials are not as strong as you would like them to be. You could still be the top candidate among a small field of candidates for a particular award. ------------------------------------------------------------- APPLY!... Simply stated, if you do not apply for most scholarships, you will not be considered for them! Here are some suggestions for tailoring your scholarship applications and making the best possible presentations: * Read the applications thoroughly and carefully so you are aware of everything that is being requested of you and so you know how to submit them. This is important because you do not want to be disqualified because of any technicalities; * Unless the instructions indicate otherwise, type your applications (typing is preferable for clarity) or, if necessary, handprint legibly * Strive to make the best impression -- neatness counts! Applications should be kept crisp and clean. Any necessary folds should be sharp and even. Correction fluid or erasures should be kept to a minimum. When your application package or envelope is both seen from the outside and opened, it should look business-like and organized; * Beat/Meet the Deadlines -- even if you must send applications via an overnight courier (unless rules forbid this). A late application not only makes a negative impression, it may not be considered at all. If possible, send your application early; this may make a favorable impression; * Relate information you include on the applications to the specific scholarship for which you are applying (for example, be sure to mention your involvement in Student Government in high school if you are applying for a public administration scholarship); * Emphasize your strong points. If you are asked about any weaknesses, mention those that will still put you in a positive light. (For example, "I sometimes need to be careful not to overextend myself when scheduling my participation in extra-curricular activities.") * Show interest and excitement in the scholarship in your cover letter accompanying your application materials; * Make sure any required essays are well-thought and well- expressed, utilizing proper grammar and spelling. Be certain you address the specific question(s) or theme(s) requested; * If essays are required, they may represent excellent opportunities to: -- show you have goals (and show how the scholarship relates to your attaining your goals); -- show how your background is appropriate for your intended area of study or for consideration of you for the particular scholarship; -- show that you want the scholarship and why it is important to you; -- illustrate that you have potential for success. Take all essay questions seriously. They are ways for you to distinguish yourself to the judges. * Include all items requested when submitting your completed applications. Give the judges what they want in the format they request. Apply for as many appropriate scholarships as possible to increase your chances of receiving an award and to gain as much scholarship funding as possible. MAKE AN ACTION PLAN To help you organize your scholarship hunt, I have designed a "Personal Scholarship Hunt" Strategy Guide" worksheet. Use it to make the "READY!... AIM!... APPLY!" approach work for you. I suggest you take a few moments to jot down specific activities you plan to do for each step in the process. List target dates for completion of each goal. Review the worksheet periodically to assess your progress and to modify your strategy as needed. Don't just think... DO! ------------------------------------------------------------- PONDER THIS... Remember, scholarship awards are not loans. You do not have to pay them back! Try to MAXIMIZE scholarship dollars and minimize loan dollars! Go for it! ------------------------------------------------------------- My Personal Scholarship Hunt Strategy Guide: Target Target Activity Date Activity Date R _____________________ _____________________ E _____________________ _____________________ A _____________________ _____________________ D _____________________ _____________________ Y _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________________________________________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ A _____________________ _____________________ I _____________________ _____________________ M _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________________________________________________ _____________________ _____________________ A _____________________ _____________________ P _____________________ _____________________ P _____________________ _____________________ L _____________________ _____________________ Y _____________________ _____________________ ____________________________________________________________ * * * * * * * Additional copies of this report may be obtained by sending an e-mail message to: wtsh@voron.com * * * * * * * If you find this report to be helpful, the author would be grateful if you would consider making a contribution to the Vincent J. LaBarbera Memorial Scholarship Fund at Point Park College, 201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. * * * * * * * APPENDIX About the PNPA Scholarship... The scholarship I was awarded -- the number one Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers' Association Scholarship to Point Park College -- is awarded each year to a high school senior who is a Pennsylvania resident with a demonstrated interest in journalism or communications. The award covers full tuition, room, board, books and fees at Point Park College for four years. A second PNPA scholarship covers full tuition at the school for four years. Point Park College is a small college located in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. It offers a quality academic and experiential education. I recommend its Journalism and Communications program. My wife, Barbarann, recommends both the Psychology and Dance programs (she double-majored and is now a psychotherapist with a master's degree from Hahnemann University). The college also offers other scholarships for students in all of its academic areas. More information and applications are available by writing or calling: Point Park College Office of Admissions 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 1-800-321-0129 Be sure to specify your grade in school and intended major. Please let them know you heard about their scholarship opportunities from "Winning the Scholarship Hunt"! * * * * * * * About the Author... Neal R. Voron, president of Voron Communications, has personal experience in successful scholarship hunting. A graduate of Central High School (Philadelphia, PA), he attended Point Park College (Pittsburgh, PA) as the recipient of the 1979 number one Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers' Association Scholarship. The award covered tuition, room, board, books, and fees for four years. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Journalism and Communications in 1983. After working in the newspaper industry and several other fields over the years, Voron established Voron Communications, an electronic publishing and marketing company, in 1995. He is also a member and marketer (Marketing Partner 400-474) of GEN, the Global Entrepreneurs Network (R), a full-service Internet presence provider (information available via auto-responder by sending e-mail to: info@voron.com). Voron (nvoron@voron.com) is the author of an electronic novel, "The Obstacle Course". He and his wife, Barbarann, a psychotherapist in private practice, are co-authors of an electronic booklet, "Ideas for a Productive Summer for High School and College Students" (available via auto-responder by sending e-mail to: ps@voron.com). Voron is also the founder and developer of: * Info@ E-mail Auto-Responder Directory (tm) http://www.autoresponders.com info@autoresponders.com * The Night Shift Initiative (sm) http://www.nightshift.com info@nightshift.com * Acton's Briefcase (tm) http://www.voron.com/acton.htm ------------------------------------------------------------- This free report is a Community Service Publication of VORON COMMUNICATIONS info@voron.com ------------------------------------------------------------- Who is Dr. Ernest T. Acton, and why do his former students call his class, 'THE OBSTACLE COURSE', "the most worthwhile course you'll ever take"? Find out by reading 'THE OBSTACLE COURSE', an electronic novel by Neal R. Voron! The first five chapters are freely-readable at Acton's Briefcase (tm): http://www.voron.com/acton.htm ------------------------------------------------------------- *** Voron Communications is seeking independent campus representatives at colleges throughout the world to market memberships in the Global Entrepreneurs Network (R). If you know of a "go-getter" who would value the chance to earn commissions from a truly terrific Internet-related marketing business opportunity, suggest that he or she send an e-mail message to: campus@voron.com or write: Voron Communications, Attn: Campus Reps, 8001 Castor Avenue, Suite 119, Philadelphia, PA 19152, USA