Sorting through the junk

<p>Ok, so I'm a current high school senior. I've signed up for a bunch of scholarship sites that match me up to available scholarships, but there's simply way too many. Does anybody have some good advice as to how to start? For example, there's a whole bunch of small scholarships (<$1000) and a whole bunch of larger ones for writing essays. What are the chances of winning the larger ones, meaning should I even bother if the Grand Prize is $10,000?</p>

<p>Basically, I want some advice as to how to start my scholarship search and filling stuff out. I talked to my counselor, and he recommended that I fill-out a generic application in the spring that everybody fills out. However, if everybody fills that one out, the chances of me getting anything are lower. So yeah, any help will be greatly appreciated. ^^</p>

<p>Ok....where to start...lol First of all I have been very very lucky because our guidance program at my school is very nice and gives us a whole list of suggested scholarships-both a combination of ones that are local for us and national ones that pertain well to our demographic area. So far most of the ones I have filled out are large, national ones. I never thought that I would even have a chance for any of these, but I have been quite successful with them. I haven't actually won any yet but I have moved on as semifinalists and stuff like that. My best suggestion to give you I guess is first make yourself a list of all of your academic honors, ECs, EC honors, and any community service you have done. It may seem like a hassle right now but once you do one it is SO EASY to do all the rest of the applications! Pick ones that look like they are good for you like if you like agriculture look at agriculturally related scholarships. Sometimes those search sites have ways to filter which ones best pertain to you. But I have not had very good luck with Fastweb or similar sites, and neither did my sister. GOOD LUCK!!!!</p>

<p>thanks dairy10, but which ones are you talking about specifically? and where would I find them that "especially pertain to me"</p>

<p>well...like I said for me my guidance office has made a list of local ones that work for me. However, for you take a look at your greatest strengths and what you want to go to college for. Ill keep saying about agriculture but I know there are a TON of ag scholarships out there. When you are looking at the lists that those websites give you try and figure out exactly what ones you might be good at. You won't be able to fill out all of them so if you don't feel qualified for one don't bother. But it definitely pays sometimes. If you make the list of ECs too it will help you fill them all out much faster. Sorry I couldn't be more help!</p>

<p>look through the descriptions of each and if you meet the criteria, fill out the form</p>

<p>don't fill out every one, just the ones that you match up with well</p>