How to write a winning scholarship essay - Gen Tanabe, Kelly Tanabe 2018

Tip #5 from a scholarship winner
Real interview questions & answers

Donald H. Matsuda, Jr., Stanford University “I think the idea with the Truman Scholarship interview is that it’s supposed to be somewhat controversial. You go into a room and there is a panel of eight people. They are all distinguished public servants who are trying to test your commitment to your views and get a sense of who you are beyond what you put on paper. You need to be psychologically and emotionally ready for this type of interview so that you won’t be surprised.”

experience has been great. In classes, I’ve studied modern art. Working at the museum, however, has given me the opportunity to share my appreciation and knowledge with tour groups every week. More than anything else this experience has solidified my desire to become an art curator in the future.

a: I would like to emphasize how committed I am to obtaining a degree and becoming a teacher. Given the purpose of your award, I think that my background including my work with the after-school program and the awards that I have won for working with children shows that I have fulfilled many of the goals of the award. After graduating, I plan to work as a teacher in my school district. I think it’s important that everyone recognizes where they got their start so that they can help others in the same way. That’s the only way to make improvements.

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Don’t be shy about bringing up something important that the judges didn’t ask you about. If you’ve forgotten to speak about something or a topic never came up during the conversation, now is the time to say so.

Use this question to bring up a strong point or two that wasn’t discussed.

The last impression you leave is often the strongest. If you think you’ve already left a strong impression, then you don’t have to say anything.

But if you think you need to reemphasize an important point, this is the time to make a final statement. Use this opportunity to make sure that you have made it clear why you deserve to win the award.