• HAVE YOUR RÉSUMÉ READY

Many scholarships will ask for a résumé with their application. Have a neat and legible résumé ready to attach to any scholarship. Also have a nice picture attached to your résumé for local scholarships. It does not have to be formal, but it needs to be nice so the committee who is looking at the application knows the applicant is professional and deserves their money. However, enclosing a picture, unless otherwise specified, for scholarships that are not local can cause a disqualification.

• HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Having a relationship with the high school counselor will help keep your stress      level down as you go through your high school career. She can help you find        scholarships, answer questions you have about an application, and encourage you when    you are unsure about the future. More times than not, if you go and ask Mrs. Parker a         question, you will come out with an answer, a great attitude, and more opportunities.

• KNOW WHERE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships will usually not just fall into your lap. You have to find them! Sign    up for scholarship websites like fastweb.com, cappex.com, mycollegeoptions.com, okcollegestart.com. There are also a number of scholarships on the counselor’s webpage    on the Marlow website (marlow.k12ok.us). If you are still struggling to find scholarships go           talk to your counselor and ask him/her where to locate the opportunities.

• MARLOW SENIORS! SIGN UP FOR ENOTES

Marlow seniors! Your counselor, Brenda Parker, has set up an enotes account on   the school website. Enotes is an alert system that allows Mrs. Parker to send out    announcements about scholarships, deadlines, and college opportunities. To sign up go to             the Marlow website (marlow.k12.ok.us) and click on the district admin tab under the            pictures. From there, click on Brenda Parker’s name. You will then be taken to her             page. On the left hand side there will be a place to put in your name, email, and phone       number. Be sure you put “MHS SENIORS” in the enotes selection bar.

• SAVE ALL YOUR ANWSERS FROM OLD SCHOLARSHIPS OR APPLICATIONS

Many times scholarships will ask the same questions. Keeping old scholarships and applications cuts down time spent thinking of answers you have already recorded. One of the best applications to keep is your National Honor Society           application.

• KEEP A BOX OF AWARDS STARTING YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR

Trying to remember all the awards you have received over the past 4 years can      become a nightmare if you are highly involved. Keep awards in a place you can find      them and label them so you can have a full scholarship.

• LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS WILL OPEN AFTER SPRING BREAK

• LISTEN TO THE HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Many times students tune out the announcements or talk over them. Most of the time, however, the announcements have little gems in them reminding you of opportunities and deadlines for scholarships.

• BE AWARE OF SCAMS

When something sounds too good to be true then usually, it is. When applying for             scholarships, watch out for people who want personal information like social security numbers. Don’t apply for scholarships that ask for deposits in order to receive the            scholarships! If you are unsure of a scholarship, research it and look for who is behind it.     Be aware of where the money is coming from. If you are unsure of something, ask your    school counselor.

• HAVE SEVERAL TEACHERS REVISE APPLICATIONS

Make sure to take your applications to English teachers, especially. The teachers want you to succeed and will help the best that they can, just make sure to give             them plenty of notice.

• BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF

You have to brag about yourself in your applications because no one else will. There are plenty of times in which modesty is key, however, your scholarship applications is not one of them. Let them know how great you are and all that you        have accomplished.

• BE AWARE OF DEADLINES

Make sure to read the deadlines carefully as some parts of your application can be due on different dates. Be sure to write down your deadlines and keep them in several different places where you will not forget about them.

• READ GUIDELINES CAREFULLY

Often, students are pushed out of consideration because they missed a certain requirement in their application. Be sure to read all guidelines carefully or even read them several times as to not leave anything out. It can also be helpful to make a checklist to be certain that you have all required criteria.

Melissa Valencia and Allie Custer