Welcome to Scholarship Night at Dover Bay

Welcome to Scholarship Night at Dover Bay

Student Objective: to be rewarded for effort & achievement - and avoid student loans…

Student Objective: to be rewarded for effort & achievement - and avoid student loans…

Agenda

7:00-7:30 Introductions-Scholarship Resume

building -Application writing

7:30-8:00 Break into grade 11 & 12 groups

8:00-8:30 Open house in Careers Centre

Agenda

7:00-7:30 Introductions-Scholarship Resume

building -Application writing

7:30-8:00 Break into grade 11 & 12 groups

8:00-8:30 Open house in Careers Centre

Building a strong Scholarship Resume

Building a strong Scholarship Resume

SCHOLARSHIP RESUME – a listing of accomplishments and attributes Please refer to hand-out Organizes in one place the most

common information requested by scholarship committees

Makes it much easier to fill in applications quickly and accurately by cutting and pasting on your computer

Makes you aware of areas you may be weak in so you can work on them

All positive - great for self-esteem, too!

SCHOLARSHIP RESUME – Building Evidence that you’re worthy… Academics – most require strong academic

marks, so you want a high GPA. Athletics – part of well-roundedness, plus

athletic scholarships are available Fine and Performing Arts – Often asked for

on applications Extra-curricular Involvement and

Citizenship in the community can set you apart Participant/Volunteer –> Leader –>

Initiator

SCHOLARSHIP RESUME – Evidence of character…

Conferences and Enrichment Activities

Work ExperienceCareer PlansSkills and CompetenciesInterestsPersonal Characteristics

Preparing a strong Scholarship application

Preparing a strong Scholarship application

STUDENTS MUST FIND AWARDS AND APPLY FOR THEM! The Careers Centre actively looks for

scholarships and posts them Students need to stop in weekly to see

which scholarships have coming due dates and whether they should apply

Many awards have forms that must be downloaded or filled in on-line

Filling in applications is time consuming

References are very important

Examples from UBC of strong and weak writing and formatting The next slides are taken from a

longer presentation given to district teachers in November by UBC.

They give some insight into how

major scholarship applications are judged.

Major Entrance Scholarships 101

How Can My Application Captivate the Committee’s

Attention?

Major Entrance Scholarship Who to Nominate An outstanding academic student Shows ability to lead in at least one of

the following:• Artistic endeavours• Original intellectual pursuits• Community service• Athletics• School activities

No more than 2% of graduating class (i.e. 6 students at Dover)

Major Entrance Scholarship The Nomination Form

Main components:• Principal/Counsellor Nomination• Statement of Grades• Teacher References (2 teachers)• Nominee Biographical information• Nominee Essay• Nominee Statement of activities

Major Entrance Scholarship Teacher Reference Letters

The extent to which the Nominee is genuinely interested in academic work and makes use of his/her potential

The extent to which the Nominee has to be encouraged

The Nominee’s demonstrated ability to lead in areas listed in criteria

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal Essay Easy to read:

• no more than 500 words• single-sided (8.5” x 11”) pages• font size of at least 12

Grammar and structure are important Not just a list of accomplishments Original but appropriate:

• Essay stands out (different structure, topic)• Addresses the question

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal Essay

“Tell us who you are by writing an essay in which you indicate your single most important activity or accomplishment to date and how you believe you will make a difference in your years ahead at UBC and in the future.”

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal Essay

Example 1…first paragraph:

Personable but not relevant

Went over word limit (only some sections shown here)

And the next paragraph…

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal EssayExample 1…

second paragraph: Academic history – off

topic or link to topic not clear

List of activities (same as statement of activities)

Student not addressing the essay question

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal EssayExample 2… Addresses the question

of one single most important activity or accomplishment and its origin

Answers the question of what the student will offer in the future and at UBC

Clearly written and clever: ex. “contagious enthusiasm”

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Major Entrance Scholarship Personal EssayExample 3… Addresses the question of

one single most important activity/accomplishment and its impact

Answers the question of what the student will offer in the future and at UBC

Topic that shows both student’s passion and meaningful involvement

Organized and well-written Is this a Major Entrance

Scholar?

Statement of Activities Committee looks at:

• Length of involvement in activity• Extent of involvement (ex. member vs. organizer)• Initiated program, activity, etc.• Diversity of activities• Motivation (activities in school and community

not for credit)• Shows talents (musical, athletic etc) as well as

interests

Format outlined on application

Statement of ActivitiesExample 1: Does not indicate

description of involvement

Not esthetic on the page (message = not much care put into application)

Areas of interest unclear

Adjudicator may wonder how many were initiated by student and how many required

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Statement of ActivitiesExample 2: Better indication of

involvement Format request not

respected (dates especially unclear)

Not esthetic on the page List of entrance

scholarship offers from other institutions…is this student serious about UBC? Student does not indicate context

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Major Entrance Scholarship Statement of Activities

Example 3: Format respected Descriptions and dates

are clear Long term involvement

(1999-2003 volunteer work outside of school)

Good community and involvement

One difficulty: not in any order (alpha or chrono)

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Major Entrance Scholarship Statement of Activities

Example 4: Information format

respected Esthetic on page;

easy to read Descriptions and

dates are clear So many items…

could some be consolidated?

Is this a Major Entrance Scholar?

Major Entrance Scholarship The Package

Clear, tidy and organized All items addressed fully and accurately

Remember… we have to learn all we can about the student from the transcript, comments, essay and most important – the references.

Major Entrance ScholarshipMajor Entrance Scholarship

SubmissionSubmission

All forms for both campuses to be sent to

UBC Vancouver

DEADLINE: February 28th,2006

before 4pm

NEWS FLASH... New Credit Union

SCHOLARSHIPS Three new $2500 scholarships for

Nanaimo Student writes up a business plan

designed to improve the community One of the three winners will get an

additional $3000 to actually carry out their idea

SuperPages example from last year – wheelchair dock

Meeting in the Careers Centre tomorrow at lunch with a Credit Union rep

Group Change Time:

• Grade 10/11 D206

• Grade 12 divide between D208 and staying in library.

Group Change Time:

• Grade 10/11 D206

• Grade 12 divide between D208 and staying in library.

Local Scholarship Information (SD68)

Please see hand-out

2006 Applications will be available Feb. 16. Due date: March 2

Local Scholarship Information (SD68)

Please see hand-out

2006 Applications will be available Feb. 16. Due date: March 2

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

Approximately $225,000 designated for Nanaimo students

$100 to $2500 awards You can win more than one award Awards for high GPA and participation Other awards include:

Cultural groups Athletics High achievement in a particular

subject Family affiliations (belonging to a

club, union, other organizations)

STUDENTS MUST APPLY!

Most awards are valid for two years Following are details about filling in

the Local Scholarships and Bursaries application.

Last year’s scholarship booklet is available at www.sd68.bc.ca/career_services. Click on the “Nanaimo Schools Financial Assistance Society” button. *The website address is on your hand-out.

Due March 2Due March 2

LOCAL APPLICATION – PAGE 1

Turn to PAGE 1 in your copy

• Identifying Information

• Use a dark pen and print neatly

• Need reference names, but not letters

• Need verification signatures

• Note the Website is given at the bottom of the page

PAGE 2 - PARTICIPATION

A list of your participation in athletics, citizenship, leadership

Both School and Community Initials are needed for verification Do this part right away to get the

initials part done

PAGE 3 – EDUCATION PLAN

Fill in the top part to the best of your knowledge

Some awards are based on your plan to go into a specific program

We need your Program Choices and the Specific Institutions to which you have applied

PAGE 3 – FAMILY INCOME SECTION

A parent must fill in the bottom part and sign to be considered for bursaries

Lower family income is a pre-requisite for getting a bursary

If income is above approx. $30,000/year, the expenses should be explained so the committee understands the financial need

Examples: there are two older siblings going to college; there is an illness in the family; there are unavoidable high expenses, etc.

PAGE 4 – ELABORATION PAGE

Elaborate on your interests, competencies, participation, leadership, motivations, plans

Comment on any barriers in your way or that you have overcome

Anything that will help us represent you to the scholarship committee

Use a list format

PAGE 5 / 6– AFFILIATIONS

Organizations or culture groups to which you or your family belong

You need to talk to your parents to discover all your affiliations

You must fill in the blanks with the member’s name, year, etc. when it’s asked for on the form

BC Government Scholarship Programs: Passport to Education

No application is required

BC Government Scholarship Programs: Passport to Education

No application is required

PASSPORT TO EDUCATION AWARDS

Recognizes and rewards student achievement in grades 9 –12

(grades 10-12 beginning in 2006-07) Gives motivation to study consistently – leading to graduation Encourages post-secondary education and job training programs

Recognizes and rewards student achievement in grades 9 –12

(grades 10-12 beginning in 2006-07) Gives motivation to study consistently – leading to graduation Encourages post-secondary education and job training programs

PASSPORT BOOK

Stamped with a dollar value Applied to post-secondary tuition

fees or other educational expenses Passport books are kept at the

students’ school

CRITERIA FOR AWARDING STAMPS

Top 30% of the grade – based on students’ best five 4-credit courses

Values and allocations change in 2006/07 to follow introduction of the new graduation program – Portfolio Assessment will then be a factor in gr. 12

STAMP VALUE

2005/2006 2006/2007Grade 9: $125Grade 10: $175 Grade 10: $250Grade 11: $225 Grade 11: $250Grade 12: $275 Grade 12: $500Maximum $800 $1000

PASSPORT REDEMPTION

Passport books are maintained by the school

After grade 12 exam results in August, the final amount is stamped and students pick up their book at the office

Students may redeem credits anytime within 5 years of their expected graduation

Other Provincial Scholarship Programs:

Academic

Based on SMS scores

District

Application is required

Other Provincial Scholarship Programs:

Academic

Based on SMS scores

District

Application is required

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS – Academic SMS

Based on SMS “Standard Ministry Score” on Provincial Exam results only

Valued at $1000 (the top 20 in BC get $2000).

Must get over 70% on an exam to get SMS

Based on the best three exam scores 800 = highest score Minimum 475 score required on each exam Totals of 1700 or better receive $$$Approx. 10% of Dover students are recipientsPremier’s Excellence Award

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS – “non-academic”

District Scholarships (this year) $1000 for excellence focused in a subject area Must be enrolling in a non-degree program Competing against all district schools (1-3

winners per school) Separate application – due April 25

Dogwood-District Scholarships (06-07 change) $1000 for excellence in Fine or Performing Arts,

Applied Skills, or Physical Activities

Entrance Scholarships

To a specific institution...

Entrance Scholarships

To a specific institution...

ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS(note previous example from UBC)

Varying amounts up to full tuition at colleges and universities.

Must apply to a given college or university in order to receive their scholarship offers.

Over 90% average on academic courses typically guarantees you will get offers.

The higher your average, the better offers you will receive – “full ride.”

ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS- Malaspina Deadline Mar. 15

Malaspina has a number of entrance scholarships and bursaries.

Students must fill in an “Entrance Scholarship & Award application.”

Careers Centre has applications or you can print from the Malaspina website

ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS- Malaspina Incoming Outstanding Student Program

IOS program (Incoming Outstanding Student) gives priority registration

Based on grade 11 marks: must have min. 3 A’s and a B in English and Socials, Math and a Science or Language 11.

Priority registration is important as you are guaranteed to get the schedule and classes you want.

National Scholarships

Significant applications are required

National Scholarships

Significant applications are required

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS-competing against the country

Examples that have due dates coming soon: Millennium Exellence 931 awards of up to

$20,000 over four years. Est. in 1998 with $2.5 Billion endowment Due date Jan. 20!

Terry Fox Foundation $7,000/yr for 4 years -up to $28,000

Due date is Feb. 1! Miller Thomson 200 awarded @ $1,000

Due date: March 31

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS- use the InterNet too

Students should search the InterNet. Two widely used websites are:

studentawards.com, scholarshipscanada.com

It’s possible to pick up some smaller scholarships by digging for them. For example, a Dover student won $500 in a Canadian History contest last year.

Careers Centre Open HouseCareers Centre Open House

End of our Session.

Thanks for coming!

End of our Session.

Thanks for coming!