Prestigious scholarships require applicants with aptitude and a positive attitude, but there are multiple strategies through which you can gain knowledge, enhance your strengths, and address your weaknesses in order to become the best possible candidate.

1. Start early. Awards are competitive, requiring thought and preparation. During the application process, you'll need to devote time and intensively revise your application. However, even before you apply, there are ways you can help yourself.
   • Perform academically from day one freshman year. It's easier to maintain good grades now than do damage control later.
   • Create a resume. You'll have a more professional resume if you update it as you gain experience rather than rushing to compile it when you need it.
   • Start a journal. Record your ideas, goals, internships, courses, and reflections. It will inspire you and provide a resource for personal essays and resumes.
   • Begin to develop your personal statement now. Personal statements are key components of the application process, so they have to be strong. When creating your statement, refer to ideas in your journal and experience on your updated resume for help.
2. Experience life. Give yourself an edge by living what you value and learn. Involvement will show initiative, interest, and concern for issues beyond yourself.
   • Get involved. Broaden your horizons by volunteering and joining extra-curricular activities that interest you. Involved students are stronger candidates because they balance work and play, study and service -- be sure to maintain the balance. While GPA isn't the only factor awards consider, good grades signify a strong work ethic and dedication.
   • Conduct research. Under a faculty member through the academic year and during summer. It shows initiative and provides work experience.
   • Make new friends. Seek out those who have different backgrounds than yours, including international students. Learn the value of cultural exchange and expose yourself to a world beyond OU.
3. Inform yourself.
   • Stay current. You must be knowledgeable and conversant about current events. Every day, read a respected national newspaper, like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Every month, read at least one periodical that extensively covers political issues, like The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic, or The Economist.
   • Plan a reading program that covers a wide range of fields and studies so you can demonstrate knowledge extending beyond your major, OU, Ohio, and the U. S.
4. Make connections now.
   • Get to know your professors by participating in class and visiting during office hours. They are encouraging mentors with expertise, ideas, and resources that will stretch you as a learner. In addition, professors can write strong, informed letters of recommendation if they know you well.
   • Keep contacts beyond the academic realm who can provide a mentor relationship, solid non-academic recommendations, networking assistance, advice, and ideas.
5. Communicate well. Both oral and written communication skills will help you present yourself as a young professional capable of thriving in and influencing the world.
   • Practice listening. Good listening is the key to responding intelligently. Do it in class and conversation.
   • Imitate good speakers. Observe speakers' mannerisms and techniques at lectures and in the classroom, then adopt them and practice presenting yourself confidently.
   • Improve your writing. Note new writing styles when you read for ideas to improve your own writing, and practice good writing in every assignment.
6. Think for yourself. Use your own knowledge to formulate a unique response to life's challenging questions. Apply your studies to life by drawing connections between your personal experience and what you learn in the classroom. To help you prepare resumes and personal statements, keep a file of work and life experiences accompanied by explanations of what you learned during each experience.

These external sites provide additional suggestions for developing as a scholar:

Willamette University: Student Academic Grants and Awards Tips for every stage of the application process, advice from students who've been there, and an explanation of why this is all worth it.

Kansas State University: Resources for Prospective Scholars Step-by-step instructions for writing personal essays, interviewing, and requesting strong letters of recommendation.

To Freshmen and Sophomores
Don't wait until junior or senior year. It's never too early to start planning for the future...

On Your Own

• Identify your passions. Know yourself.
• Pursue those passions. Get involved.
• Inform yourself. Know the world.

With ONCA:
Schedule a meeting with ONCA to:

• Discuss your interest, involvement, and goals.
• Identify your strengths.
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Connect with faculty and community/campus resources.
• Become aware of future options.

To Juniors and Seniors
Stop dreaming and create your reality...

With ONCA:
Visit ONCA during your junior year to best prepare for both junior and senior-year awards.
Then grow personally and professionally through the advising/application process:

• Define your goals.
• Draft a concrete action plan.
• Learn to present yourself in the most favorable way.
• Improve writing skills.
• Practice interviewing effectively.
• Connect with faculty and community/campus resources.
• Receive support and advice throughout the process.