🍦Scholarship Szn. (Dec 4)

Happy Wednesday! Here’s the lineup today:

1. Link Lounge: An official guide to the next steps for the UC Appllication

2. Daily Deep Dive: Georgetown

3. Admissions Blueprint: Your guide to schoarships

TRIVIA
Guess the college!

🦝 Founded in 1966, this university’s Lemur Center is an internationally acclaimed non-invasive research center housing over 200 lemurs and bush babies across 13 species—the most diverse population of lemurs on Earth, outside their native Madagascar. Think you know the school? Find out at the bottom of today’s newsletter! Think you know? Find out at the bottom of today’s newsletter!

LINK LOUNGE
What the UCs want you to do after you apply!

(NEW) Cruz Hacks - win recognition and prizes UCSC’s premier hackathon for high schoolers and undergrads

(NEW) UC After You Apply - the official UC guide for what to do after you apply

Peterson's Scholarship Search - find the best scholarships for you out of over 1.9 million scholarships and grants

Stamps Scholars - win up to $360,000 in total scholarships at partner schools

DAILY DEEP DIVE
Georgetown

I’ve never really looked into Georgetown—what is it?

Georgetown University is a prestigious school in Washington, D.C., known for its strong academic programs, especially in political science, international relations, and law. The campus is beautiful, with a mix of historic and modern buildings, and it’s situated in a city that offers endless opportunities for internships, networking, and experiencing the heart of U.S. politics. Georgetown has a vibrant, close-knit community with a strong sense of tradition and social justice, thanks in part to its Jesuit roots. With a competitive admission rate of just 12%, strong academic standards, and an average ACT score of 34 and SAT score of 1485, Georgetown attracts highly driven students. If you like the idea of being in a city full of political power while getting a world-class education, Georgetown might be a perfect fit.

Okay sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll apply—what does their application need?

For Georgetown University, you’ll be submitting the Georgetown-specific application through their website, not the Common App. The application requires four essays:

1. Prompt #1: A 250-word essay about any special talents or skills you’d like to highlight.

2. Prompt #2: A brief (about half a page) essay on the significance of the school or summer activity in which you’ve been most involved.

3. Prompt #3: A one-page (single-spaced) personal or creative essay that best describes you, reflecting on your background, identity, skills, and talents.

4. Prompt #4: This is school-specific. Depending on your program, you’ll write one of the following essays:

   • Georgetown College: Your interest in studying at the College of Arts & Sciences, with specific references to your chosen major if applicable.

   • School of Health: Your interest in healthcare studies, specifically related to your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, or Human Science).

   • School of Nursing: Your interest in studying Nursing at Georgetown.

   • Walsh School of Foreign Service: Your motivations for studying international affairs and pursuing a career in global service.

   • McDonough School of Business: Your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

Georgetown also requires standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT).

Those first 3 prompts are interesting—I haven’t really seen anything like that before. How do I approach them?

Essay #1 (Talents and Skills):

Georgetown wants you to showcase your unique strengths in a straightforward, yet personal way. It’s about showing who you are beyond the classroom, so don’t be afraid to mix in a little humor or quirkiness. Keep it honest and simple, but let your personality shine through.

Essay #2 (Significance of Your Most Involved Activity):

This one should highlight what truly matters to you. Go for a balance of personal reflection and practical impact. Focus on your growth and what the activity means to you, rather than just listing achievements. Keep it focused and genuine, but don’t shy away from sharing what makes this activity yours.

Essay #3 (Creative or Personal Essay):

For this one, Georgetown’s looking for something that gives them a deeper sense of who you are. You don’t need to be overly creative or poetic, but the essay should reveal your character, challenges, or unique perspective. They want to hear your authentic voice, so lean into what makes you different or how you view the world. Keep it personal and insightful.

Well now that you say it that way, it’s not that difficult—I might just apply!

INFO ZONE
ICYMI: Hurry and catch a Wharton undergrad info session!

Here’s some upcoming school virtual information sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more about school’s programs to determine if the school is a right fit for you. It’s also great to learn more about the school’s vibe and possibly what admissions officers are looking for. All the times listed are below are already converted into Pacific.

Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Webinar - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

Yale Virtual Student Forum - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM PM

(NEW—Fills quickly!) Wharton Undergraduate Virtual Information Session - Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM

Columbia University Info Session - Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM until 8:00 AM

(NEW) UChicago Virtual Campus Tour - Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM

Rice Virtual Admission Information Session - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Your guide to scholarships

💡 Where to Find Scholarships

Start with the basics, but don’t stop there. Beyond well-known sites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com, dig deeper:

• Quirky, Smaller Scholarships: Did you know there are scholarships for being left-handed, crafting prom outfits out of duct tape, or even duck-calling? Look for niche opportunities that align with your hobbies or unique traits—they often have fewer applicants.

• Local Community Networks: Rotary clubs, small businesses, or local government offices often offer smaller scholarships that go unnoticed but are easier to win.

🛠️ How to Choose Which Ones to Apply To

• Balance Effort vs. Reward: Smaller scholarships (e.g., $500-$2,000) may feel “too small,” but they add up and are often less competitive than national ones. A handful of these can make a big dent in your expenses.

• Stay Realistic: Prioritize scholarships where you truly match the criteria (e.g., a specific career interest, residency, or demographic group). Applying to many without a fit spreads you too thin.

• Think Beyond Money: Some scholarships include mentorship, networking opportunities, or internships—these can be just as valuable for your long-term goals.

✍️ How to Write Scholarship Applications

• Recycle Smartly: Don’t rewrite every essay from scratch! If two scholarships have similar prompts, tweak an essay you’ve already written to fit. Organize essays in a folder, and reuse them with slight modifications where appropriate.

• Focus on Your Impact: Scholarship committees want to see the difference you’ve made. Write about specific contributions—leading a club, organizing a fundraiser, or starting a unique project.

• Tie Back to the Scholarship: Connect your goals to the scholarship’s mission. If a scholarship is for future engineers, describe how you plan to innovate in the field and why their support will make it possible.

⏰ Pro Tip: Track your progress with a simple spreadsheet. List deadlines, materials required, and essay prompts to stay organized. Time management is half the battle!

TRIVIA ANSWER
Looking for the answer to our fun trivia question up at the top?

Answer: Duke University

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Take that break but mind your deadlines!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

December SAT: December 7
Most ED/REA Acceptances: December 15th

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!