Application Tips
Applying for Scholarships
Lurie, Joseph, and Miller, Jonathan, eds. A Foreign Student's Selected Guide to Financial Assistance for Study and Research in the United States. Garden City, NY: Adelphi University Press, 1983 (LOC: LB2338.F674 1983)
The purpose of the guide was to bring together a wide variety of sources of financial assistance available to foreign nationals for studies and/or research in the US. Officers at every college or university were contacted by mail and asked to provide information about awards reserved for foreign nationals at their institution. The Miscellaneous section provides awards given by organizations that support highly qualified foreign nationals in the US, e. g., the American Scandinavian Foundation, French Institute, Institute of International Education, National Research Council, Smithsonian Institution, etc. The authors underscore, however, that about 70 % of all foreign students fund their studies and expenses through their own private sources. About 30 % rely upon assistance through sponsoring agencies, governments, and colleges and universities. Only about 10 % rely primarily on colleges and universities. Awards from these sources are highly competitive and in the great majority of cases only cover a part of the total costs. Although obviously dated, the guide can give an international student a starting direction to search for funds.
Muto, Lisa, and Bohlmann, Paul A. The Harvard College Guide to Grants. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, Office of Career Services, 1994 (LOC: LB2338.M88 1994)
The book is a guide for students applying for funding to support undergraduate or post-baccalaureate studies. It contains information on major national fellowships, as well as less known grants with more limited eligibility. It also includes sources of funding for summer or part-time research or laboratory work, paid internships, and study abroad. This source contains good, general information on the process and benefits of applying, and on writing effective essays. A bibliography is provided.
Applying to Graduate School
Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 1991 (Available at Career Center; LOC: LB2366.2.A84 1991)
American Psychological Association. Getting In: a Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1993 (LOC & AU: BF80.7 U6 G47 1993)
Although this book is targeted to a narrow audience-graduate school applicants in psychology-it is useful to graduate school and scholarship applicants in other fields. Topics addressed are:
- How to decide where to apply
- The steps involved in an application
- Developing an application time table
- Writing an effective application essay
Curry, Boykin, and Kasbar, Brian (Eds.). Essays that Worked, for Business Schools: 35 Essays from Successful Applications to the Nation's Top Business Schools. New Haven: Mustang Publishers, 1987 (LOC: HF1131.E87 1987).
As most experts point out, reading others' essays is a good way to prepare oneself for the graduate school application process. The 35 essays reproduced in this book are helpful in determining how to address basic areas of content in an application essay, such as:
- One's strengths and weaknesses
- Work experiences and accomplishments
- Extracurricular activities
- Academic program of choice
Hamel, April Vahle. The Graduate School Funding Handbook. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994 (LOC and AU: LB2371.4.H35 1994)
The book contains tips on the application process, as well as advice on searching for grants and study abroad opportunities. Also contains a good overview of various scholarships. Following each chapter is a list of further readings.
Martinson, Thomas, and Waldherr, David. Getting Into Graduate Business School Today. New York: Macmillan Company, 1996 (AU: HF1131.M29 1996)
This is one in a series of books on getting into the most selective graduate schools (medical, law, and business). Two content areas will benefit the graduate school and scholarship applicant alike-securing effective letters of recommendation and writing a winning essay. The section on letters addresses the content of a good recommendation and whom to select as a referee. The section on personal statements contains five successful essays. These are presented in draft and final versions, so that the process of writing is easier to understand.
Mason, Michael (Michael James). How to Write a Winning College Application Essay. 3rd ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima Pub, 1997 (LOC: LB2351.52.U6 M29 1997)
This book contains advice on writing application essays for college and graduate school. A separate chapter addresses writing essays for scholarships. The book provides not just sample winning essays, but also exercises that will help you to develop your own successful personal statement. Topics addressed include determining your audience and selling yourself.
Applying to College
**These sources are written for high school seniors applying to graduate school; however, graduate school and scholarship applicants will find useful advice here on preparing an effective personal statement.
Bauld, Harry. On Writing the College Application Essay. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1987 (LOC: LB2351.5.B38 1987)
A very nice piece of reading on essay writing, pleasant in style and engaging in manner. Drawing on his experience as an admissions officer and English teacher, the author gives advice on how to write an effective, interesting personal statement. Topics include:
- The skills you need to write a compelling personal statement
- Pitfalls and cliches to avoid
- Unconventional essay questions and how to respond
- Advice from admissions officers.
Ehrenhaft, George. Writing a Successful College Application Essay: the Key to College Admission. 2nd ed. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's, 1993 (LOC: LB2351.5.E37 1993)
The book contains essay topics from 50 popular colleges, including AU. The section "Essays in Progress" is a good teaching tool-it provides sample draft essays with suggestions for improvement. The book provides good guidelines on layout, language, and editing for clarity and interest.
Gelband, Scott, Kubale, Catherine, and Eric Schorr. Your College Application. New York: College Entrance Examination Board, 1991 (LOC and AU:LB2351.52.U6 G45 1991)
This step-by-step guide is a helpful and easy-to-read source on how to prepare an application essay. The authors, an experienced admissions team from Yale University, review the entire application process and its components. Topics covered include academic evaluation (transcripts, test scores); writing personal statements; interviews; and supporting documents (teacher recommendations, guidance counselor's reports, etc.).
McGinty, Sarah Myers. The College Application Essay. New York: College Entrance Examination Board, 1997 (LB2351.52.U6 M277 1997)
This book addresses a variety of issues, but focuses on the process of essay writing. 11 essays are analyzed to demonstrate the way they are perceived by admissions officers, i.e., the reading audience. Other topics addressed include:
- The purpose of the essay
- The thought processes of the selection committee;
- The introduction, development, body, and conclusion of the essay
- Preparation and prewriting (brainstorming, grouping and revising, focusing, organizing)
- Revising and editing
McGinty, Sarah Myers. Writing Your College Application Essay. New York: College Entrance Examination Board, 1991 (LOC: LB2351.52.U6 M34 1991)
This book is a very good reference on essay writing. Written in an easy-to-read manner and humorous tone, it provides the reader with strategies for:
- Recognizing what colleges are looking for
- Choosing and organizing the essay
- Creating an essay that reveals one's unique strengths
Power, Helen W., and DiAntonio, R. The Admissions Essay: Clear and Effective Guidelines on How to Write That Most Important College Entrance Essay. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Pub Group, 1998 (LOC: LB2351.52.U6 P69 1998)
The book offers views of college applicants and admissions officers on the problems that students encounter in writing their application essays, and the solutions they find. It also contains more than 50 sample essays, with commentary. Content areas covered include writing about:
- Job experiences
- Traveling and living abroad
- Academic interests
- Specific colleges and programs
- Extracurricular activities and interests
- Emotional experiences
- Family members and friends
Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Macmillan, 1996 (Available at Career Center).
General on Writing
Strunk, William, & White, E. The Elements of Style. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999 (LOC: PE1408.S772 1999; AU has 1979 edition)
A classic piece on writing in general.
Zinsser, William Knowtown. On Writing Well: an Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction. New York: Harper Perennial, 1994 (LOC: PE1429.Z5 1994; AU: PE1429.Z5 1990)
This book offers general advice on nonfiction writing. It can provide you with some tips on what to avoid in your writing as well as how to address your audience. This second issue is critical for scholarship applicants, who have to keep a special audience in mind.
Other Sources and Web Sites
Good, J., & Lee, L.. Get into Any College: Secrets of Harvard Students. 1998. Can be ordered through supercollege website; seems useful, plus has special reports on essay writing: http://www.admissionsreview.com/samples.htm
sample essays accepted by Harvard, Yale, Coca-Cola Scholarship, etc.
http://adams.student.harvard.edu/fellowships/A_to_Z_by_Navin.htm
A Harvard student shares advice applying for the most prestigious fellowships. The student won both a Rhodes and a British Marshall Scholarship.
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/orc/scholarships/rhodesmarshall.html
Stanford University provides extensive information on applying for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. How do the two differ? Who is an ideal candidate for each? The site offers good advice on essay writing and mistakes to avoid.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/Files/115.htm
The Purdue University Online Writing Lab offers guides you through the essay writing process and provides advice from admissions representatives.
http://www.northwestern.edu/graduate-fellowships
The Graduate Fellowships Committee of Northwestern University advises on applying for Rhodes, Marshall, and other Scholarships
http://webster.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/grammar.htm
A comprehensive site that deals with grammar issues. Contains wonderful PowerPoint presentations on most contentious points of English grammar. Useful links and a lot of information. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~compose/student/tasks/graduate.html#what
Dartmouth College Writing Center provides general advice on personal statement writing.
http://www.northfork.com/essaywiz/brain.html
Essay Wizard: an interactive guide to essay writing. Although most links would not work, the existing content is good. http://www.truman.gov/guidance/guidance_perssta2.html
Helpful insights from Dr. Jane Curlin, Truman Faculty Representative and Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships at the University of Tulsa, 1994-1998.
**Note: All books listed here are available in the Career Center Library, Bender Library, or the Library of Congress. "LOC" indicates that the book is available at the Library of Congress; "AU" indicates Bender Library. For information on how to use the Library of Congress, contact the Program Director, Office of Merit Scholarships, 202.885.1817.