Ace Your Scholarship Interview: A Comprehensive Guide
Landing a scholarship interview is a significant achievement, marking a crucial step towards securing funding for your education. This guide provides comprehensive preparation for scholarship interviews, covering frequently asked questions, effective answering strategies, and essential tips for a successful interview.
Preparing for Your Scholarship Journey
Before diving into interview preparation, it's essential to know where to find scholarship opportunities. Online tools like Scholly Scholarships can help identify relevant scholarships.
Common Scholarship Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Scholarship interviews aim to help the granting organization understand you better as a student and a person. The organization's selection committee can then use the interview to choose the scholarship money winner. These interviews, often very similar to job interviews, are generally conducted by an individual representing the scholarship provider, a scholarship committee, or former scholarship recipients.
Here's a rundown of some questions that usually come up in scholarship interviews:
"Tell me about yourself."
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- How to answer: This open-ended question allows you to direct the conversation. Give a brief answer describing your personality, passions, and interests. Be real, but don’t overshare. Plan out what you might want to say as if it were a college prompt. Like a good essay, you can start with something general about yourself and then narrow to a specific anecdote or point.
- Example: "I’ve always been passionate about the ocean. That's why I plan on majoring in marine biology and becoming an NOAA scientist one day! I've already earned my scuba certification and have gone on several dives. When I'm not in the water, I really enjoy reading poetry or volunteering at our local library's summer literacy program for kids."
- Why it works: This response covers a lot of things in a small amount of time.
"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
- How to answer: This scholarship interview question shows that you are a self-aware person. When talking about your strength, don't be humble. Give examples so that it's not just you talking yourself up. For the weakness, try to paint it as something about yourself that you are attempting to improve, or an obstacle you want to overcome.
- Example (Strength): "I'd say that my greatest strength is my tenacity. When I do something, I want to do it right, so I'm willing to put in the time and effort to see it through. Once, for a school project, we had to build a model of an atom and we chose to build the element hafnium. Hafnium has an atomic number of 72, which meant the model was going to be huge. The teacher offered to let us switch, but I decided not to. So I stayed after school for an hour each day for a week to finish it. I'm happy to say I got an A+ on the project."
- Why it works: A specific example is key here.
- Example (Weakness): "Frustration is definitely something I'm trying to work on. If something doesn't click with me right away, I can get irritated with myself. I understand that it takes time to get good at something, so I'm trying to learn to be more patient. For example, I've been taking up watercolors as a hobby, but since it's a new skill, I'm not really good yet and tend to dislike whatever I create. To counterbalance that, I've been watching tutorials and trying to repaint things and make them better."
- Why it works: Again, a specific example helps show the interviewer that this student isn't just saying things.
"Why do you need this scholarship?"
- How to answer: Be honest and open. You applied for this scholarship for a reason, and now you need to put it into words.
- Example: "Ever since my cousin, Maise, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, I've wanted to become a pediatrician. Medical school is expensive, and this scholarship will help me accomplish my goal of becoming a doctor and helping sick kids like Maise."
- Why it works: Not only did this student outline a noble goal (becoming a pediatrician), they also acknowledge how the scholarship will help them in their goals.
"What are your future goals?"
- How to answer: For this scholarship interview question, the interviewer is looking to see if you have a plan. What are you going to do after college? Do you have a dream job in mind?
- Example: "My ultimate goal is to own a farming operation. My grandparents had a small farm, and I always loved visiting when I was a kid. Through that, I learned the importance of growing food for a community. I want to study agricultural science at Iowa State University since its ag science program is nationally renowned. Once I graduate, I plan to work at a local farm and earn enough to start fields of my own. I even have plans to donate some of the crops to homeless shelters in honor of my grandpa."
- Why it works: The student has clearly outlined their long-term goals and detailed what short-term goals are necessary to accomplish their dream.
"Who is someone you admire?"
- How to answer: Make sure you consider this one beforehand. The people you admire say a lot about you, and you need to be able to explain that. Is it a famous person? Is it a family member? A teacher?
- Example: "My camp counselor Kai was always someone I looked up to. He was always incredibly positive and friendly; he had a talent for making people smile and feel welcome. One summer, I got stung by a bee and Kai got me to stop crying by telling corny jokes while he bandaged me up. He was always the first person to offer to help out, and really went above and beyond the call of duty. He's even a volunteer firefighter! Kai's enthusiasm and positivity made a huge impact on my childhood, and I hope I emulate that to the people around me."
- Why it works: Describing a person you admire shows what traits you value yourself. In this case, the student clearly was affected by positivity, altruism, and friendliness, so much so that they desired to be more like Kai. It shows interviewers what that student will strive to embody.
"Describe a time you failed."
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- How to answer: Like naming a weakness about yourself, they're looking for self-awareness of your flaws. No human is perfect. More importantly, they'll also want you to explain what you've learned from your failures. How have you also grown as a person because of that experience?
- Example: "In seventh grade, I vandalized our rival school by spray painting our logo on the windows. In retrospect, I'm glad I got caught, even though I got in so much trouble at the time. In addition to being grounded and forced to clean the windows on a Saturday, I was suspended from extracurricular activities, which meant I couldn't go to baseball competitions with my team. My coaches and teammates were really disappointed; I knew I'd let them down. I learned a valuable lesson from that mistake: that not only will my actions have consequences, but they can have a negative impact on the people I care about. Ever since then, I've definitely thought things through before doing them."
- Why it works: Admitting fault requires introspection. This student not only confessed to vandalism but followed it up with the lessons they learned from it.
"Why do you want to attend this school?"
- How to answer: As it's highly unlikely you just picked a school at random, you should be able to answer this pretty easily. Was it because of a certain program offered? Did a family member also attend? Has this always been your dream school? Expound a little on your answers to this particular scholarship interview question - they're looking for someone with passion, who is also going to commit to earning a degree at that institution.
- Example: "My mom, aunt, and two cousins all went to the University of Iowa, so I've basically been a Hawkeye since birth. But what really drew me to Iowa was its spectacular writing program. I went to a couple of summer writing camps there, which cemented my dream of wanting to be an author. When I toured the campus, it just felt like home. I also sat in on an English class and clicked with the professor right away."
- Why it works: Speaking of English, do you remember ethos, logos, and pathos when it comes to being persuasive?
"What activities are you involved in?"
- How to answer: Like with your college application, you'll want to demonstrate that you do more with your time than study. This particular scholarship interview question is a great opportunity to showcase your willingness to work with other people, show that you have a good work ethic at your job, and also talk about your involvement in extracurriculars or volunteer groups. You shouldn't list everything; you'll want to talk about the groups you've contributed to.
- Example: "Mock Trial is my main extracurricular activity at school. I've been part of our school's debate team since 8th grade and loved it so much that I plan to become a lawyer someday. When I'm not studying for class or a competition, I volunteer at the local animal shelter by walking the dogs. A few of my debate team friends volunteer with me."
- Why it works: This student showed their dedication to an activity - Mock Trial - by explaining how long they've been involved, and how it affected their personal goals.
"What is your proudest accomplishment?"
- How to answer: If your proudest moment is that time you burped the entirety of the ABCs forward and backward, you might want to re-evaluate. Scholarship interviews allow you to shine - you want to always present your best self. For example, you might want to talk about something you struggled with. Maybe it was when your coach moved you to the starting position.
- Example: "I'm a naturally shy person with debilitating stage fright. I also love poetry. Those two parts of me clashed when my English teacher suggested I enter a poetry recital contest. I really wanted to do it, but I was so scared I'd freeze or mess up. I nearly backed out. To work on my stage fright, I practiced reading poems out loud to the book club. Over time, I grew more comfortable standing in front of people, and the more I practiced the poem, the easier it was to remember. If you'd told me at the beginning of the year I'd go to nationals and recite a poem in front of an auditorium of 10,000 people, I wouldn't believe you. But I did it."
- Why it works: The example highlights the student's passion (poetry) and challenge (stage fright).
"Describe a time you demonstrated leadership."
- How to answer: Colleges and scholarships are always on the lookout for up-and-coming leaders. And for awards that are dedicated to leaders in their classrooms or clubs, this question is especially important. Students should think about when they took control of a tricky situation or helped others when they led a team. It doesn't even have to be a success story; failure can be a great lesson for everyone.
- Example: "During my senior year of high school, I was the leader of my Quiz Club. We were neck and neck in the semifinals and were struggling with a particular question. Neither team was answering, however, and I decided that giving an answer, even if it was wrong, was better than remaining silent. Thankfully, our guess turned out to be right and we advanced to the finals."
- Why it works: Every leader faces uncertainty and adversity. This student highlighting a particularly tough question in one of the competitions showcases that they're able to take calculated risks even in stressful situations.
"What motivates you?"
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- How to answer: What drives you in your day-to-day life? When you wake up in the morning, what makes you get out of bed, aside from your responsibilities? What drives your passions?
- Example: "My main motivator is wanting to see positive change within the world. We're facing a number of challenges at the moment, including high anxiety rates among teenagers, and I want to be working towards making a positive impact on the problems I see day after day in the classroom and out. It will take baby steps to reach my long-term goal of becoming a psychiatrist, and every day the knowledge of these societal issues drives me to want to help others."
- Why it works: In this response, the student is showcasing their empathy as a motivating factor in their life as well as their awareness of the world around them.
"How will this scholarship help you?"
- How to answer: How will this scholarship help you reach your goals? Scholarships are a great way to help pay for college, but your answer to the question shouldn't be this cut and dry.
- Example: "My dream college is one of the best schools in the country for my intended major. However, I was disheartened to learn that the financial aid packages I was offered and the money I have saved don't quite cover the entire cost of attending. I believe attending this college will give me the solid foundation I need to launch my career, but I won't be able to afford it without additional financial support."
- Why it works: Students using this response show their commitment to a particular major and desire to attend their dream college, but also explain why it's not quite possible at the moment.
"Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, and 15 years?"
- How to answer: This question will be repeated in college interviews, job interviews, and job evaluations throughout your career.
- Example: "In 5 years, I expect to be pursuing my Master's degree. To become a leading marine biologist in the field, I know I have to further my education. In 10 years, I hope to be working with one of the leading aquariums in the country. In 15 years, I would love to be the director of a shark conservation department."
- Why it works: This response highlights all of the student's short- and long-term goals for education and their career. It even gets specific about dreams (director of a shark conservation department) and shows that the student has a roadmap planned for success.
"How do you manage stress?"
- How to answer: Scholarship interviews can cover several different topics, but one that might come up is stress management. College is stressful, and award organizers want to know you can handle the workload - especially if there is a GPA requirement for the scholarship.
- Example: "To help manage my to-do list, and, in turn, my stress, I use a planner and wall calendar to set my priorities and highlight deadlines. I make sure to tackle larger projects sooner rather than later. I also work to make sure I have time for my own passions outside of work and education, so I always have time to relax."
- Why it works: This response lets the interviewer know that the student has a good handle on their to-do list, how to prioritize projects, and making time for themselves.
"What is your favorite [related to scholarship]?"
- How to answer: Students may also be asked very specific questions related to the scholarship. For example, for scholarships for gamers, the student may be asked about their favorite video game and why.
- Example: "My favorite video game of 2023 was Baldur's Gate 3 because it truly was a labor of love from the developers and other creatives. With their early access lasting several years, they were extremely responsive to feedback and worked to create a game that they were proud of and the fans could love. The end result is an amazing mix of story, gameplay, and graphics."
- Why it works: In this example, the student can articulate why Baldur's Gate 3 was their favorite game of the year and show that they have knowledge of its development outside of just gameplay.
"Is there anything else you want to add?"
- How to answer: Always take this scholarship interview question seriously. They are allowing you to talk about anything you feel wasn't sufficiently covered by the other interview questions. You might want to discuss something that is important to you or you feel that it is important the interviewer…
Generally, scholarship questions will be around your academic interests, educational background, academic performance, future goals, high school experience, community engagement, dream job, and chosen major.
Essential Interview Tips
- Be polite and professional: Say hello with a smile and give a firm handshake (or a virtual wave if it’s online). Maintain eye contact and be polite throughout the entire meeting and interview.
- Take your time: If you need a moment to think before you answer, that’s completely fine. Don't memorize your answers. The interviewer will be able to tell.
- Research the scholarship: Learn about the organization offering the scholarship and their mission. You should spend some time researching the scholarship awarding organization to learn more about its mission and the students who have won scholarships previously. Research the scholarship online to see what you can find out ahead of time. Check out former scholarship recipients' submissions. See if there is any information online from students who sat for the interview.
- Practice your answers: Get a friend or family member to ask you the interview questions. Ask a parent, or advisor to listen and give you feedback about where you can improve. Act out your upcoming interview. Ask a teacher, counselor or friend to read through a list of potential questions with you and practice stating your answers. Have them give feedback on your answers and what you can do to improve. Practicing introducing yourself is definitely something you should do before the interview. It’s not uncommon for interviewers to start out by asking you to introduce yourself. Prepare a few short sentences to share with them about who you are, your past experiences and what you plan to do with this scholarship. Again, the goal is to let them get to know you! So be sure to share accordingly!
- Prepare your own questions to ask: Have one or two thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. As important as it is to prepare to answer questions at an interview, don’t forget that you can also ask questions during this time. Maybe you have questions about the next step in the process, or for the interviewer (especially if they were past winners of the award). Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them! Have questions ready to ask interviewers and take the list with you to the interview also.
- Dress appropriately: Your interview fit doesn’t need to be formal but looking polished and professional is key. Go with a neat, business casual look that’s classy, not flashy. What you wear to an admissions interview will convey a lot to the interviewers. It will show them that you cared about this interview and made sure to put time and effort into making a good impression. As to what you should wear specifically, don’t be afraid to call and ask if you’re unsure. When in doubt, dress professionally. Business casual is usually a safe bet for most interviews. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt to the interview may not be a good idea. Lastly, pick out a nice outfit to wear the day of the interview.
- Bring necessary materials: Make sure you show up with all the necessary materials. Prepare your resume and bring it with you to the interview also. Prepare yourself and make sure you know the interview time, location, and how to get there. If possible, ask who might be interviewing.
- Send a thank-you note: After your interview, be sure to write a scholarship thank you letter or personal note to your interviewers. This is not only common courtesy but another great way to stand out. Let them know that you appreciate their time and enjoyed being able to meet with them. You may or may not hear back from them, but that’s okay. In your note, thank the interviewers once again and explain in 1-2 sentences how the scholarship will help you.
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