Win dat scholarship: Tips and tricks to getting yourself a CBYX scholarship!
Hey, my name is Clara, and I am a finalist for the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange program! This means I will be spending about 10 months in Germany, on a fully funded scholarship!
If you have any interest in traveling, meeting new people, or you are simply up for some super good bratwurst , you should totally go for this scholarship. If you go to www.usagermanyscholarship.org, you will find all the necessary information. Just do it! Seriously, the outcome could amaze you.
So, you've looked at the website and everything seems well and good, but BLARGH, there is a catch: Essays? Recommendations? Transcripts? Ick. Effort.
I know, I know, but don't give up yet! I'll help you through this, young padawon. We can do it.
The Essays:
Alright. This is the toughest part, but with some determination and spellcheck, you will find yourself with six beautiful essay babies.
The main thing that I want to say to you about these essays is be sincere. Don't waste 250 words on something that you don't really care about. Every essay should feel like it comes from you. I'm not saying just word vomit onto the page and call it a day! Editing is still your saving grace here. All I'm saying is that you should really be putting your beliefs, fears and hopes out there for CBYX to see. Don't be afraid to say that you can be really mean to your brother, and you consider it one of your biggest failures in life. Don't be afraid to write that yeah, you probably would cry many a river if you had to be away from your family, and everything you knew, for a year. Pretend like you are writing letters to a friend. Very articulate, grammatically correct, letters.
Recommendations:
Just make sure you choose two teachers who really know you. And if that's just not a thing, choose the teachers who give you the best grades. Chances are you like those classes, and have shown the teacher your personality in some way or another. Shoot them an email about what the scholarship is, why you want it, and when you would like the recommendation completed. Just make sure you send them the form for your region. Bam. Perfection.
Host Family Letter:
Have some fun with this! This is their first impression of you, and you want to show them who you are, what you like, and where you're from. These are the people who are going to let little old you into their home for a whopping ten months. Make sure you let them know how grateful, and excited you are for this experience.
Your Awards and Interests:
Start by making a list of all the awards you have received in your high school career. Even if this becomes a short, (or, um, non-existent) list, do not fret! You can still show them what you got in your interests and activities section. From student government, to gay straight alliance, to defender on the JV soccer team, put it on there. Every little thing helps.
Transcript:
Gulp...grades. It's okay though. You don't need to have a perfect 4.0, or take all AP classes to receive this scholarship. I am living proof of this! As long as you are at, or above a 3.0 (which is part of the requirements for applying), this whole thing is totally worth a shot. Just make sure you don't lie about your grades, because the transcript tells the truth. Be honest, be organized, and kindly ask your guidance counselor for your transcript. They are only grades, and they do not define you. You is kind, you is smart, you is important.
All the rest:
This is stuff that simply requires organization. Go through each aspect thoroughly, and honestly. It also wouldn't hurt to have your parents help you out with the things you don't understand. Piece of cake.
YES! You did it! Now all you have to do is check everything over, have grown up, smart people check it over, and then just stare at the whole wonderful thing in awe. This could be the beginning of the rest of your life! Seriously cool.
If you have any interest in traveling, meeting new people, or you are simply up for some super good bratwurst , you should totally go for this scholarship. If you go to www.usagermanyscholarship.org, you will find all the necessary information. Just do it! Seriously, the outcome could amaze you.
So, you've looked at the website and everything seems well and good, but BLARGH, there is a catch: Essays? Recommendations? Transcripts? Ick. Effort.
I know, I know, but don't give up yet! I'll help you through this, young padawon. We can do it.
The Essays:
Alright. This is the toughest part, but with some determination and spellcheck, you will find yourself with six beautiful essay babies.
The main thing that I want to say to you about these essays is be sincere. Don't waste 250 words on something that you don't really care about. Every essay should feel like it comes from you. I'm not saying just word vomit onto the page and call it a day! Editing is still your saving grace here. All I'm saying is that you should really be putting your beliefs, fears and hopes out there for CBYX to see. Don't be afraid to say that you can be really mean to your brother, and you consider it one of your biggest failures in life. Don't be afraid to write that yeah, you probably would cry many a river if you had to be away from your family, and everything you knew, for a year. Pretend like you are writing letters to a friend. Very articulate, grammatically correct, letters.
Recommendations:
Just make sure you choose two teachers who really know you. And if that's just not a thing, choose the teachers who give you the best grades. Chances are you like those classes, and have shown the teacher your personality in some way or another. Shoot them an email about what the scholarship is, why you want it, and when you would like the recommendation completed. Just make sure you send them the form for your region. Bam. Perfection.
Host Family Letter:
Have some fun with this! This is their first impression of you, and you want to show them who you are, what you like, and where you're from. These are the people who are going to let little old you into their home for a whopping ten months. Make sure you let them know how grateful, and excited you are for this experience.
Your Awards and Interests:
Start by making a list of all the awards you have received in your high school career. Even if this becomes a short, (or, um, non-existent) list, do not fret! You can still show them what you got in your interests and activities section. From student government, to gay straight alliance, to defender on the JV soccer team, put it on there. Every little thing helps.
Transcript:
Gulp...grades. It's okay though. You don't need to have a perfect 4.0, or take all AP classes to receive this scholarship. I am living proof of this! As long as you are at, or above a 3.0 (which is part of the requirements for applying), this whole thing is totally worth a shot. Just make sure you don't lie about your grades, because the transcript tells the truth. Be honest, be organized, and kindly ask your guidance counselor for your transcript. They are only grades, and they do not define you. You is kind, you is smart, you is important.
All the rest:
This is stuff that simply requires organization. Go through each aspect thoroughly, and honestly. It also wouldn't hurt to have your parents help you out with the things you don't understand. Piece of cake.
YES! You did it! Now all you have to do is check everything over, have grown up, smart people check it over, and then just stare at the whole wonderful thing in awe. This could be the beginning of the rest of your life! Seriously cool.
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