Scholarship Interview Tips
Getting a scholarship can help you to pay for college, making a big difference in the college that you ultimately choose to go to. However, there is always a lot of competition for scholarships, especially national ones. Interviewing for a scholarship will certainly affect your chances, so brush up on some scholarship interview tips before you meet with your interviewer.
Learn About the Provider
If the scholarship that you are interviewing for is provided by a company or organization, learn as much as you can about the provider before you interview. In particular, you should look for the history of the company or organization and the requirements for the scholarship.
In the interview, you can try to incorporate your knowledge of the organization into your answers, which may impress the interviewer. You will also be able to explain why you deserve the scholarship when you fully understand what they are looking for.
Your Qualifications
The interviewer wants to know why you deserve the scholarship, and you should be able to tell him in detail. Review the details for the scholarship and plan to speak about the ways that your abilities and experience fits in with what they are looking for.
For example, if the scholarship is for someone in the arts, you should show the interviewer an art portfolio and discuss your hopes for an art career. If the scholarship is for those who demonstrate leadership, you should talk about the leadership positions that you've held in your school and after-school activities.
In the Interview
Be sure to dress appropriately. While you don't necessarily have to wear a suit to a scholarship interview, you should still wear nice clothes. Act confidently, but don't manipulate the conversation. Allow the interviewer to lead the discussion.
Expect to detail your plans for school and your plans for the future. You are also likely to receive questions about your strengths and weaknesses. Try having a parent or friend do a practice interview with you, so you can better prepare your answers for the real thing.
Following Up
If possible, you should always follow up with the interviewer after the interview. A short thank-you note, either by mail or by email could help him to keep you in mind when making the decision.
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