<p>I didn't win the Duane Reade Black History Month Scholarship, and I tried so hard on it..it makes you really discouraged :( </p>
<p>I'm not sure if i'll apply to more.</p>
<p>My advice for people interested in applying for scholarships... analyze your strengths and find scholarships that fit these categories. For example, if you have really strong community service, but weaker grades, apply to scholarships that focus on community service. Also START EARLY. I made a binder with tabs for each month, and then printed a bunch of applications and put them in the binder based on their due dates. Then, at the beginning of each month, I spent an afternoon completing all of the applications for that month. This kept me organized, and helped me complete as many applications as possible without going crazy.</p>
<p>Also, I definitely think it is worth it to apply to big national scholarships, even if you don't think you have a great shot. The applications are typically pretty easy and they offer huge sums of money. However, I've noticed that the same people tend to win many of these big scholarships. For example, at the weekend in Kentucky for Toyota, about 45 of the 100 people total had also been Coca-Cola Scholars. </p>
<p>To prevent teachers / counselors from getting annoyed, I asked for a stack of 10 signed, sealed letters at a time so that I could just send them in on my own. This was easier for me, and saved them time too. You can definitley save and re-use essays, too.</p>
<p>Finally, applying to scholarships can be kind of fun - if you win, it is a huge bonus, but if you don't, you can always try for more. Some of the National Scholarships come with trips, free laptops, and other fun stuff too. I was very pleased with the whole process and came away with over 80k from outside organizations. It is definitely a crap shoot, though, so some people can end up disappointed.</p>
<p>Sorry this is long, but hope it helps...</p>
<p>i applied for hamsa (hands across the middle east) i got past two rounds and knocked out without any recognition in the third and final round. I also almost got a college ******* and science competition reward but again fell just short. The sad fact is a lot of these national scholarships even by amazing students can't be won. And what's sadder is the local scholarships around my area have some requirement I don't fit (essex county irish descendant, or son of a servicemen). It's really sad man :( I too will spend my time better doing other things like an internship.</p>
<p>i won one today!!!!!</p>
<p>just wonderin...when did you guys/girls began your scholarship searches/applying for them whether they be local/national?.....</p>
<p>spring of junior year for a couple early ones, beginning of senior year for the rest. i got about 50% of the ones i applied for.</p>
<p>My son started applying in February of his senior year, but missed out on some because he started too late. I would definitely recommend you check earlier in your senior year to open up further opportunities, and of course, there's always Discover for your junior year.</p>
<p>I think M's 1st due date was in October! Start looking soon...</p>
<p>How does the transcript situation work? They require the high school to send the transcripts to them? Or does the high school provide you with the transcripts for you to send? Must they be official, or can you do the copying of them yourself?</p>
<p>Are highschools generally willing to do this? It sounds like it would be a lot of trouble if a person wanted to apply to 20+ scholarships. I'm no longer in high school, so I don't really know what to expect.</p>
<p>My son just went in and asked for a certain number of official transcripts--yes, they usually have to be official ones--in separate envelopes and kept them at home to send out as needed. I think the school prefers that to having to send them out themselves.</p>
<p>Man I have been applying for outside scholarships for the Spring 2007 like a right son of a gun. I only need 2500.00 (I could deal with 1500.00) and am on the verge of trying to find a second job flipping burgers until January or something. I just do not ever want to get a student loan again while I am an undergraduate student, because I have all of my finances on point for right now and like it that way.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone who is still trying their darndest.</p>
<p>I just won another one.</p>
<p>I think my total is now like:</p>
<p>$500 DaimlerChrysler
$3000 Michigan Merit
$1250 Polish Century Club of Detroit
$5000/year dad's national union
$1500 University of Michigan Regents</p>
<p>:)well dsmo, what is your secret?</p>
<p>idk...i guess to just apply to the really specialized ones, since that is about all I won. I got another $1000 today. They are all really specialized, and with smaller applicant pools I probably really stood out (besides the two Michigan ones...most top students from our state will be offered them)</p>
<p>$500 DaimlerChrysler (mom's employer)
$3000 Michigan Merit Award
$1250 Polish Century Club of Detroit
$1000 American-Polish Century Club
$1500 University of Michigan Regents
$5000/year dad's national union</p>
<p>still waiting on one from my dad's union local...but since I got the national one, I think I have a good chance at it.</p>
<p>i got two. i'm gonna post and leave and probably not come here.
mine r both for korean students
$30000
$44000
$74000 Total
i heard that i'm supposed to give back the 30K oh well.</p>