What About Boettcher Scholarships? By Ken Blehm Boettcher Alum 1969 ROF w. SUI
Boettcher Scholarship > Colorado’s oldest and one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarship (started in 1952) > Donor intent: retain Colorado’s best and brightest students in-state for their education > Four-year, full-ride scholarship that includes – Full tuition and fees – A living stipend and a book stipend – An international education grant, four types of enrichment grants (up to $3,000 total) > Total Package: $100,000 - $225,000
Eligibility Requirements Must be graduating Colorado high school seniors > who have lived in Colorado for their junior and senior years of high school, and Must be a citizen, legal permanent resident, or > lawfully present (including through DACA) in the United States OR Meet the requirements and have applied or started > the process of applying for citizenship, legal status or lawful presence Please visit our website or call the foundation for more information
Selection Criteria > Excellent academic record > Leadership and involvement > Service to school and community > Outstanding character > Competitiveness quizzes Seniors http://www.boettcherscholarshiponline.org/competitive/?y=s Juniors http://www.boettcherscholarshiponline.org/competitive/?y=j Seniorttp //www.boettcherscholarshiponline.org/competitive/?y=
Selection Process > Approximately 300 semifinalists are selected to submit letters of recommendation (December) – about 1100 initial applications by Nov 1 > 100 finalists are invited to interview (early March), and 42 will be selected as scholars > Benefits of applying extend to more than just the 42 winners! – Application can be uploaded to ScholarSnapp – Many Colorado schools offer scholarship incentives to semifinalists and finalists
Everything You Need to Know About Scholarships
Cost of College …For One Academic Year Avg. of public Avg. of public Avg. of private schools in CO schools in CO schools in CO (in-state) (out-of-state) Tuition and fees $ 13,238 $ 30,055 $ 44,447 Books $ 1,575 $ 1,575 $ 1,410 Living expenses: • Room and board $ 13,279 $ 13,279 $ 11,622 • Other expenses $ 2,092 $ 2,092 $ 2,574 (including personal, transportation, etc.) Total $ 30,184 $ 47,001 $ 60,053
Types of Financial Aid > Gift aid – Grants – Scholarships > Self-help aid – Work study – Loans
Scholarship Sources > High school guidance office > Colleges/universities > Programs/departments > Religious, ethnic, civic or veteran organizations > Businesses and labor unions > Private foundations
Where to Find Scholarships Online Books > CollegeinColorado.org > Colorado Collegiate > Chegg.com Handbook > Denverscholarship.org > Scholarships 101: The > Fastweb.com Real-World Guide to > Findtuition.com > Latinocollegedollars.org Getting Cash for > Scholarshipexperts.com College > Scholarships.com > Scholarshipstreet.com > ScholarSnapp.org > …and many more!
The Three Keys for Scholarships Academics Community service Extracurricular activities
Academics > Strong academic record > College prep (AP, IB, etc.) curriculum > Four years of core subjects > ACT / SAT – Practice – Plan ahead – Take it twice
Community Service > Depth of commitment > Length of participation > Leadership and initiative Quality vs. quantity! Initiator vs. participant! Depth vs. breadth! Impact!
Extracurricular Activities > Arts, athletics, clubs, organizations, work, hobbies, etc. > Depth of commitment > Length of participation > Leadership and initiative Quality vs. quantity! Initiator vs. participant! Depth vs. breadth! Impact!
What to do Each Year > Freshman – Plan for future/explore > Sophomore – Broaden/deepen experience > Junior – Test, inquire and seek out leadership > Senior – Apply/visit/confirm and demonstrate maturity/sustainability
Make Your Application Stand Out
How do I make my application stand out?
Shift Your Perspective! > Think about what information would be most valuable to you if you were the one receiving applications for review. > Use this perspective to evaluate yourself as a candidate. > Present a clear picture of your value and competitiveness.
Don’t Forget… > Review committees look for candidates who are COMPELLING – Unique talents and hobbies – Original character traits – Remarkable stories (CHEESECAKE LADY) – Special depth in certain activity – Personal growth and depth of world-view > Show them… – COMPELLING, not just competitive – QUALITY, not just quantity – INITIATION, not just participation
Content Counts! > Focus on the selection criteria for each individual scholarship – This is your ticket to success. > Remember ACE > Be specific and be detailed
Activities: Specificity and Detail EXAMPLE: Service description > Instead of… – Food bank volunteer > Try: – Volunteered 20 hours per week during junior year to collect canned food and coordinated a food basket distribution with a local food bank.
Specificity and Detail EXAMPLE: Club description > Instead of… – Student Council > Try: – Served as Vice President of Student Council, represented my school at a statewide conference and served as chair of the prom committee.
Specificity and Detail EXAMPLE: Athletics description > Instead of… – Soccer > Try: – Starting forward and two-year varsity letterman for soccer team. Examples from ’All the Wisdom and None of the Junk’ by Katy Craig and Katy Kramer (available in your guidance counselor office or online at Amazon.com)
What About Those Essays? > Essays demonstrate the “why” or the “how” behind the “what” from the activities > Essays give selection committees insight into a student’s – Demonstrated academic ability – Clear, focused writing that holds reader’s attention (concise) – Answer the question directly – Content and organization – Strong writing skills & sentence fluency – PROOFREAD
What About Those Essays? > They also show – Character, personality and motivations – Tell us something new – Provide insight into who you are and what you value – Service ethic, leadership skill, involvement – Word choice and imagery – Vocabulary, tone and appropriateness – Unique voice (not Merriam Webster’s or anyone else’s!) > Other things to consider: – Remember the selection criteria – Engage the reader/leave an impression > Examples from ‘All the Wisdom…’
What About Those Essays? Tips for Essay Writing > Free write > Just get started > Write continuously (free of expectations or self-criticism) > Come back to your draft after a few days (fresh eyes) > Read aloud for tone, fluency and message > Remember the audience > Be personal and descriptive > Guard against overuse of “I did this or that,” exclamation points or CAPS
Recommendations > Select recommenders who know you well > Give your recommenders a résumé > Highlight requirements of the scholarship (selection criteria) > Give your recommenders direction on what their role is (leadership, community service) – OFFER A DRAFT > Allow enough time before the deadline > Follow-up and thank people for writing on your behalf
Remember > Present a professional product > Edit and proofread! > Follow all directions – Type of deadline (postmark or received by) – Special requirements (word count, font, additional info) – Pay attention to: – Selection criteria – Eligibility requirements – Tips and hints in your application instructions > Keep copies of everything
Interview Tips > Be yourself! > Remember the selection criteria > Review your application > Be prepared to discuss your goals for college and beyond > Employ good communication skills > Research the organization and its goals > Have a mock interview (but don’t over - practice or script) > Dress appropriately
Resource Guide Feel free to take a picture of this slide! Includes valuable information about scholarships, financial aid > and preparing compelling college/scholarship applications, as well as additional resources about some of the great programs and special opportunities for students at Colorado colleges and universities. To download the resource guide, please visit the following > website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019PresentationEval After completing a brief survey about the presentation, you will be > provided with a link to download the resource packet. You can also view a video of this presentation on our website, on > the Scholarship FAQs & Resources page.
Resource from Boettcher All the Wisdom and None of the Junk > New guide from the Boettcher Foundation > Includes annotated essays and deep dives into the tips you heard today > Your guidance counseling office has a copy > Video tips and more information at www.boettcherfoundation. org/scholarship-book “A clear and practical resource, intelligently structured.” - Kirkus Reviews
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