Welcome to Scholarship Night at Dover Bay 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

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 u Participant/Volunteer –> Leader –> Initiator

SCHOLARSHIP RESUME – Evidence of character…  Conferences and Enrichment Activities  Work Experience  Career Plans  Skills and Competencies  Interests  Personal Characteristics

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 Essay Example 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 Essay Example 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 Essay Example 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 Activities Example 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 Activities Example 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 ( 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 Scholarship Submission All forms for both campuses to be sent to UBC Vancouver DEADLINE: February 28 th,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: u Cultural groups u Athletics u High achievement in a particular subject u 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 Click on the “Nanaimo Schools Financial Assistance Society” button. *The website address is on your hand-out. Due 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 beginning in )  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 beginning in )  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/ /2007 Grade 9: $125 Grade 10: $175Grade 10: $250 Grade 11: $225Grade 11: $250 Grade 12: $275Grade 12: $500 Maximum $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 u 800 = highest score u Minimum 475 score required on each exam u Totals of 1700 or better receive $$$ Approx. 10% of Dover students are recipients Premier’s Excellence Award

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS – “non-academic”  District Scholarships (this year) u $1000 for excellence focused in a subject area u Must be enrolling in a non-degree program u Competing against all district schools (1-3 winners per school) u Separate application – due April 25  Dogwood-District Scholarships (06-07 change) u $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 Exellence931 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 $1,000 Due date: March 31

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS - use the InterNet too  Students should search the InterNet. Two widely used websites are: u studentawards.com, studentawards.com u scholarshipscanada.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 House End of our Session. Thanks for coming! End of our Session. Thanks for coming!