How to prepare for scholarship interview

The interview is the last phase in the scholarship process and means you have been selected as one of the finalists. For the first time, you have an excellent chance at actually receiving the scholarship you spent so much time and energy applying for. The interview gives you the opportunity to let the selection board meet you and to evaluate your skills, poise and maturity in person. Presenting yourself well during this final phase will mean the difference between being awarded the scholarship and having it awarded to another applicant.

Begin Preparations
You can begin your interview preparation by writing down general questions you think may be asked. These are questions you have probably heard before but never really took the time to formally answer; What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your goals in life? What type of education do you want to pursue? What achievements have you been recognized for or been awarded in the past? Who has influenced you the most? All of these questions may seem easy to answer, but when faced with a judging panel in an interview, you need to provide coherent, mature and full answers to the questions. Writing down your responses to questions such as these is a good start.

Practice Makes Perfect
Next, prepare yourself by having someone practice with you. While you may be a good writer and have formulated excellent responses to these questions, that will not help you when faced with an interviewer and a question you are unsure of how to respond to. Don’t forget while preparing that the judging panel will most likely ask you questions relating to the organization sponsoring the scholarship. They want to know that you recognize who is providing the funds and the goals and mission of the organization. When practicing with a friend, have him or her ask you questions not only relating to the more personal questions concerning you, but also about the sponsoring organization.

Are You Ready?
Be both mentally and physically prepared for your interview. Get a good night’s sleep the night before. Eat a healthy breakfast. Make sure you have your interview clothes ready. If they need to be ironed or dry cleaned, do it the day before so you are not rushing the next day. Leave plenty of time to reach the interview site and find the building or room the interview will take place in. Relax and focus on the preparations you have made, remembering the questions and responses you have practiced and delivering your answers in a calm, articulate manner.

What if I Draw a Blank?
Even with all your preparations and practice, you may be asked a question you are completely unprepared for or draw an immediate blank as a response. Do not panic. The interviewer is looking for a well thought out response within a reasonable amount of time. Analyze the question quickly, and deliver a simple, straight forward answer. You have prepared yourself with knowledge about the organization sponsoring the scholarship and you are well aware of your own personal strengths and weaknesses. Use all this information to your advantage. Confidence is key. Remember that the selection committee has already determined you are a worthy candidate and have shown good reason why the scholarship should be awarded to you. A relaxed and confident, though simple, response to a question you are unprepared for is always better than a hurried, jumbled, and confusing answer that leaves you uncomfortable and the judging panel puzzled.

Remember to take your time and relax. You are only one step away from being awarded with the scholarship! Your patience and perseverance can and will pay off.