This morning I read an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal written by a high school senior addressing all the colleges that rejected her. You’ve read it too, right? If not you can read it here. Recently it’s been hard to read a paper, magazine, or my favorite blog without coming across a headline reading “Gen Y: Is there anything good?” or “Gen Y: Entitled, Lazy, and Can’t Pay Attention.” As a recent college grad (just off the job-search I might add) I can’t help but find these statements offensive, and I think to myself “Where are they getting these stereotypes?” Well, thanks to Suzy Lee Weiss, I think we know now…

Really, I understand how frustrating college applications are. I even understand what it’s like to be rejected from your #1 school. Even your #2 or #3…or #5 school…especially in the face of some unquantifiable trait like “diversity.” But as a graduate from UIC, a school that boasts “diversity” before “top research institution,” I can tell you that few of the people I knew would have fit into the profile you’re describing, Ms. Weiss. And when “they” tell you to “be yourself,” they’re not kidding. Colleges need to know who you are, what you’re all about, and that you would be a good fit for their school. Not only the other way around.

So I tell you, Ms. Weiss, and all other seniors both accepted and rejected from your dream schools, be yourself. But not only that, be proud of yourself and be accountable for yourself. Keep in mind what sets you apart from everyone else. Diversity isn’t only about your race or religion or extracurricular activities – it’s about what makes you different from the other 10,000 students who applied to your college program, internship, or job. It’s not only colleges that will tell you to “be yourself.” This is a theme that you will experience for the rest of your life – I can tell you it will also be part of your job search – so get used to it.

In the meantime, I beg you, fellow Gen-Yers, to do some serious introspection before you go sending articles off to the Wall Street Journal on behalf of the rest of us.

Vicki Jurkowski is a proud member of Gen-Y and Online Marketing Analyst at Cappex. Her passions include abstract algebra, west coast swing, and reassuring Baby-Boomers that Millennials can be trusted to take over the world one day. She graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago in December 2012 with her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics.

More than $2 billion in private scholarships is given to smart, hardworking students such as yourself. But sometimes hard to stand out in a pool of thousands of other students. Unfortunately  only 1 out of 13 students wins an outside scholarship. On top of competition, there are also fraudsters out there looking to get some money from you by charging application or processing fees. That’s so wrong! We want you to have the best possible chance, so we’ve gathered some tips from scholarship judges, fraud investigators, and previous winners to help boost your chances of winning that moolah.

Don’t enter any contest or scholarship that requires you to pay money.

At Cappex, we don’t list scholarships that require you to pay to apply or a credit card number to “hold” it, because we think it’s wrong! Legitimate scholarships never do this, according to Scholarship America, and we agree. Many applications require proof of financial need, but there’s no need for them to have bank account or credit card information.

Don’t copy previous winners.

In a pool of hundreds or even thousands of applicants, your goal is to stand out from the crowd, not blend in. Use that creativity and don’t copy others. Too many entrants in the $3,000 Duck-brand contest to make prom outfits from duct tape simply tweak the designs of previous winners, says Bethany Schmotzer, a Duck Products executive. Winners will be those who think outside of the box!

Follow instructions and do a spell check.

Applications with horrible spelling and grammar mistakes are going to end up in the trash, as are those that don’t follow instructions. Judges in the OP Loftbed essay contest say they discard about 60% of entries for not following contest rules and ditch 50% of those for bad spelling and grammar. Spend a few minutes making sure your application is clean and clear…or ask your mom proofread it for you.

Zig where the competition will zag.

On standard essay questions, there are going to be standard or “canned answers.” Lesley Wainwright, who won one of the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Foundations scholarships in 1994 and has judged for the $20,000 top prize, had to answer the question, “If you could go back in history, what one thing would you change?” She guessed that everyone else would write about saving Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. or John  F. Kennedy or abolishing slavery. So instead, she wrote about something she just studied: she’d prevent the burning of the library in ancient Alexandria. By not choosing something conventional, she stood out from the masses.

Moral of the story: be creative, be yourself. Make sure you submit something that you are proud of and your chances will increase tenfold!

It’s 10 pm and the prompt for that ten page paper is staring you in the face. You have six pages written and approximately two hours before the paper’s deadline. Reading it over, you realize that you can’t think of anything else to write, but terror washes over you as it sinks in that you’re not done yet. In fact, you need four more pages in order to call this paper quits.

Before you curse your procrastination, we have some tips to help you crank out the rest of those pages.

What Not to Do

You might think your teacher doesn’t know everything, but your teachers do know when you make the font a few sizes bigger, make the margins smaller, or increase the spacing. So don’t take that route. Don’t mess around with long-winded sentences and titles that often detract from your argument. They don’t help you or your paper.

Expand

So, since you can’t think of anything else to write, you’ve probably already written everything you know on your topic. Let’s say the topic is a dog. You’ve written about the dog’s fur, diet, play habits, breed origins, everything. Take these topics and branch out a bit. Yes, it’s a risk to go a little off topic, but sometimes the risk is worth the reward, no? Fluff your topic a bit by talking about why the breed of dog was important to the people who bred it. You can easily elaborate on your ideas for at least a page and then tie them neatly back into how the dog is viewed today. See how that works?

Argue With Yourself

Three more pages and you have no idea where to go. Read over your paper again and pick out your arguments. Then, spend some time thinking about the other sides of the argument. Flesh these out and write about them. By taking other viewpoints into consideration, you not only add length to your paper, but strength to your argument when you refute these other ones.

Minor Stuff

If you really need to, add a few sentences that aren’t quite necessary. Elaborate a little more on minor points that you made. Just make sure that these sentences don’t detract from the flow of your paper.

Conclusion and Intro

A good intro will grab your attention, introduce your topic, and state your argument in a clear and engaging way. Some people find it easiest to write the body of the paper first, and then go back to writing the intro and conclusion. Personally, I like to state my argument (or thesis) first, as it helps remind me what I’m writing about. Pick the way that works best for you. The conclusion might seem daunting, but never fear—it’s a great way to add length with ease. Don’t introduce anything new in the conclusion; it should be a reminder of your points and your original argument. Just reiterate these and there you go!

Ten pages, and it’s only 11:30…just enough time to proofread and send that baby in. Now, that wasn’t that hard, was it?

There’s nothing better than winning a scholarship that recognizes your effort in an activity that you’re passionate about – extracurriculars like sports continue to remain popular among students of all ages. Contrary to what many believe, athletic activities aren’t only about the wins; most importantly they encourage teamwork and cooperation, persistence, patience, and leadership skills. These are skills that carry over to high school, college, and beyond, so that’s a fact worth conveying in you scholarship applications! Here are a few scholarships that will get you started:

1. Positive Coaching Alliance Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship Program – Chicago, New York, North Texas, Houston, Boston, San Francisco Bay/Sacramento Area, Washington DC Area

Award: $2,000                   Deadline:  May 31
For college-bound student athletes who are currently high school juniors.

2. Lou & Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship

Award: Varies                    Deadline: May 31
For students officially enrolled in as college sophomores or higher with at least one full academic year remaining.  Students must plan to pursue a career in electronic journalism.

3. Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship

Award: $2,500                   Deadline:  April 6
For Miami, Florida-area high school seniors who not only participate in a sport, but excel in academics and community service.

4. American Legion Baseball Scholarship

Award: Varies                    Deadline: July 15
For high school baseball players who are part of a team affiliated with an American Legion Post.

5. Bill Dickey Scholarship

Award: $1000-$3,000      Deadline: April 30
For high school seniors who participate in golf and community service activities.

6. Billy Welu Bowling Scholarship

Award: $1,000                   Deadline: May 31
For students who compete in the sport of bowling.

7. AAU Karate Scholarship

Award: $1,000                   Deadline: May 3
For students who have participated in AAU Karate for a minimum of four years.

8. SHUT UP & SWEAT Athletic Gear Student Athlete Annual Scholarship

Award: $2,000                   Deadline: August 1
For graduating high school seniors who are student athletes.

And that’s not all. On Cappex you’ll find many more scholarships like these, especially local scholarship opportunities for students in various activities like track and field, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and much more. Be sure to indicate your athletic activities in your profile and happy scholarship searching!

Take advantage of your spring break and apply for a few of these scholarships expiring in April!

Davis Putter Scholarship

Award: $1,000 – $10,000      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must be active in movements for social and/or economic justice.

Swackhamer Disarmament Video Contest

Award: $100 – $1,000      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must create a video that addresses a given topic related to nuclear weapons.

Friends of Hampton Roads Scholarship

Award: $2,000      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must be of African American heritage.

Project Yellow Light Hunter Garner Scholarship

Award: $1,000 – $5,000      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must create a video designed to motivate, persuade, and encourage teens to not text while driving. 

Beyond the Boroughs Scholarship

Award: Varies      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must be from a low-income household.

Virtual Business Scholarship

Award: $2,000      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must be prospective business, marketing, or personal finance majors.

CleanEdison Annual Essay Contest

Award: $500      Deadline: April 1
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to clean energy.

AFSA High School Senior Scholarship Contest

Award: $2,000      Deadline: April 3
Applicants must read an essay about automatic fire sprinklers and then take an online test about it.

John Lennon Scholarship

Award: $5,000 – $10,000      Deadline: April 5
Applicants must submit an original song with lyrics they have written.

StraightForward Media Nursing School Scholarship

Award: $500      Deadline: April 14
Applicants must be pursuing a postsecondary education in nursing.

American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest

Award: $2,500      Deadline: April 15
Applicants must write an essay on a given topic related to the Foreign Service.

College JumpStart Scholarship

Award: $250 – $1,500      Deadline: April 15
Applicants must be committed to using education to better their lives and those of their family and/or community.

AMVETS National Scholarship Program for High School Seniors

Award: $1,000      Deadline: April 15
Applicants must be children or grandchildren of US veterans.

Kelsey Harris Writing Scholarship

Award: $1,000      Deadline: April 15
Applicants must be pursuing a career in writing.

Charles R. Ullman & Associates Scholarship Essay Contest

Award: $1,500 – $3,500      Deadline: April 15
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to marital domestic violence or marital communication issues and divorce.

ACE Foundation Scholarship

Award: Varies      Deadline: April 16
Applicants must be accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship

Award: $1,000 – $5,000      Deadline: April 16
Applicants must be Latino students with a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities.

Pearson Prize for Higher Education

Award: $1,000      Deadline: April 19
Applicants must have demonstrated leadership in community service.

Create Real Impact Contest

Award: $500 – $1,500      Deadline: April 20
Applicants must create an original work showcasing the problem of reckless and distracted driving.

Hark’s Scholarship

Award: $1,000      Deadline: April 20
Applicants must choose and answer one of three given questions related to digital media and the web.

Great Minds in STEM / HENAAC Scholars Program

Award: $500 – $10,000      Deadline: April 30
Applicants must be of Hispanic origin and major in science, technology, engineering, or math.

M. A. Lee Scholarship Fund

Award: Varies      Deadline: April 30
Applicants must be entering a four-year college or university.

Pretty Amazing Scholarship Contest

Award: $10,000      Deadline: April 30
Applicants must be young women and they must submit an essay on what makes them amazing people.

Americanism Educational Leaders Essay Contest

Award: $1,000 – $3,000     Deadline: April 30
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic.

Joshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship

Award: $2,000      Deadline: April 30
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to leadership.

Want more? Cappex has thousands of scholarships available for you!

You know you can use your smartphone for good, right? In case you weren’t in the loop, a smartphone allows you to access more apps than just Instagram and Angry Birds. Check out these six free smartphone apps that will help you ace that next exam and get ahead of the school game.

1. Open Study Mobile

Two words: free tutoring. This mobile app gives students access to free study assistance 24/7.

3. Dictionary.com

Have an essay or paper to write? Keep this free app handy when you search for creative and advanced vocabulary words. This easy to use and lets you double check that you’re using that long word correctly.

2. AnyMemo

This free flashcard app will help you memorize (almost) anything. Download thousands of flashcards in a variety of languages and take sample quizzes to help you get up to speed and prep for tests.

4. Google Drive

On the go? This free app will help keep you organized by allowing you to view and edit homework, notes, and even spreadsheets!

5. NoRedInk

This is a free, teacher-developed, web-based app that was developed to help students avoid common writing and grammar mistakes. EVERYONE can benefit from a grammar lesson or three.

6. GPA & Final Exam Calculator

Sorry, iPhone users. This one is for the Android users out there. This app allows you to input your school’s grading scale and requirements for exams and critical deadlines. An easy way for you to stay organized, and ahead of the curve.

What apps do YOU find useful in helping you get the best education you can? Comment below!

A record number of students are choosing to study abroad during their college careers. Why? No matter your major, studying abroad is the best way to immerse yourself in another culture. Learning a new language and exposing yourself to diverse people and viewpoints will broaden your perspective of the world. Although a majority of American students are studying in European countries, you don’t necessarily have to follow the crowd. Think about taking your studies to a destination outside of Europe and pack your bags for an unforgettable experience in one of these amazing countries.

China

According to the annual Open Doors report, China ranks in at fifth as the most popular study abroad destination for American students. If your school offers a program to China, take advantage of the opportunity! You’ll be able to learn first-hand about China’s rapidly growing economy, history, and culture. Not to mention more than 885,000,000 people speak Mandarin Chinese – knowing this language will be incredibly marketable after you graduate. Fun fact: Despite its size, all of China is in one time zone.

Costa Rica

The diversity and beauty of Costa Rica provides students with numerous opportunities for learning and adventure. Those looking to perfect their Spanish-speaking skills will have access to top-notch language programs. The ecological diversity of Costa Rica’s landscape is sure to attract outdoors enthusiasts who will have the chance to explore rain forests, mountains, and volcanoes. In San Jose, the city’s capital, you’ll find tons of museums, theaters, restaurants, and many more unique cultural activities. Fun fact: In Costa Rica, the sun rises and sets at around the same time 365 days a year.

Japan

The most technologically advanced country in the world, Japan is a great place to study for any student interested in its language and culture. Its reputation as the leader in scientific and technological research makes it especially attractive for those studying science, technology, finance, economics, or industrial design. Equally important as its modern marvels, Japan’s rich history and heritage provide you the opportunity to learn about beautiful art and architecture; monuments, traditional houses, and temples are few of many historic must sees. Fun fact: More than 70% of Japan consists of mountains and hills.

South Africa

Home to 11 official languages, South Africa offers a truly diverse experience – from mountainous landscapes to subtropical climates, deserts, and exciting cities, this country has it all. Whether you choose to travel to the bustling city of Johannesburg or the waterfront city of Cape Town, you have opportunities to immerse yourself in cultural activities and interact with local students. Students also curious about the country’s complex political history will gain a first-hand understanding. Fun fact: The flight from New York to Johannesburg is 15 hours and 20 minutes non-stop.

You’ve finally finished that scholarship application. PFEW! Now you’re ready to submit it. But wait! Make sure you double check all of these important things before submitting your application.

credit: legacy.bowlinggreen.kctcs.edu

Follow the Instructions

One of the most important things to check before submitting your application is to make sure that you’ve followed the application instructions to the letter. Did you include all the required elements? Did you keep your essay under the word limit? When you follow the instructions, not only does it speak highly of you to the scholarship committee, it also automatically gives you a leg up over any other applicants who may not have followed the instructions. Many scholarship committees even go so far as to disqualify any applicants who don’t follow the instructions.

Final Presentation

Make sure that the appearance of your application represents you well. Thoroughly proofread everything you wrote and check for any errors. If any part of your application was handwritten, go over it again to ensure it is completely legible. If you’re submitting a paper application, make sure your pages are clean and neatly organized. Unless specifically requested, don’t use any special presentation materials, such as report binders or folders; these can make it difficult for the scholarship committee. Let the quality of the content in your application speak for itself without any bells and whistles.

Addresses

Before sealing your application, ensure that the address you are sending your application to is not only the correct one, but is correctly and clearly written. Scholarship committees usually specify an address to send your application materials to, and it’s not always the same address that’s listed in the Contact Us section of their website. If sending your materials electronically, take care to spell the email address correctly, or your application could end up somewhere in cyberspace instead of in the inbox of the scholarship committee.

Deadlines

Finally, make sure your application will arrive with plenty of time before the deadline. Sometimes scholarship committees require your application to be postmarked by the deadline date and other times they require your application to be received by the deadline date. Whatever the case may be, ensure your application will arrive on time. You don’t want all your hard work to go to waste!

After you’ve sent off your application, pat yourself on the back for a job well done! If you follow this checklist, you can be confident about every scholarship application you submit.

Looking for more scholarships to apply for? We’ve got thousands of them here at Cappex!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might be racking your brains for some fun, yet affordable ideas for a romantic date with that special someone. Dinner and a movie has always been the quintessential V-Day date, but skip the filet mignon and overpriced popcorn and instead try one of these eight ideas that are perfect for the college student on a budget.

Campus Events – Find out if there are any free student events happening on campus or around the community, such as a concert or comedy show. Music and laughter will do the trick for calming any jitters you may have.

credit: http://family.lifegoesstrong.com

Coffee or Cupcakes – Who says that a Valentine’s date requires a three-course meal? Jump right to dessert and meet your date at a local coffee shop or bakery. For no more than five bucks each, you can enjoy a delicious custom cupcake or frothy cappuccino.

Game Night – If you’re looking for a great group date idea, look no further. Whether you bust out a classic like Scrabble or play word-guessing games like Catchphrase and Charades, you’ll have a lively atmosphere guaranteed.

Art Project – Create something together! Grab paints or pencils and exercise your creativity. If you love photography, take your camera(phone) and snap some candids of each other and your surroundings – it will definitely make the day memorable.

Movie Night – Stay in, grab a bowl of microwave popcorn, and watch your favorite movies together. Choose from DVDs you already own or stream online. You might also want to catch up on a few seasons of a TV series you have both wanted to watch.

Baking – Choose a simple dessert recipe like cookies or brownies; help each other mix the ingredients and toss them in the oven. If your dorm has no kitchen, try making a parfait (no oven required); all you need to do is toss together berries, yogurt, granola, and chocolate syrup.

Sledding – If you live in an area prone to winter snowfall, take a nostalgic trip back to your childhood: suit up, boot up, and slide down the biggest hill on campus you can find. You could also build a snowman or make snow angels.

Study Date – Tests and exams don’t stop in the name of love; remember, academics come first. If you’ve got a big test approaching or research paper due, hit the library together. Even if you don’t have the same classes, quiz one another or offer to proofread any essays.

No matter how you choose to spend Valentine’s Day, try not to get too wrapped up in the idea of cards, chocolates, and candies. It’s the little things that count when you’re showing appreciation for the ones you care about the most!

In case you haven’t noticed, you’re right in the middle of the busy Scholarship Season! There are tons of scholarships open for you to apply for now. So get a move on it and submit your applications for these scholarships that expire in March. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and win a few!

credit: hadfield.net

Visine Students with Vision Scholarship

Deadline: March 1      Award: $5,000
Applicants must have a clear vision or goal and must be able to communicate it through an essay or video presentation.

Anne Frank Outstanding Scholarship Award

Deadline: March 1      Award: $10,000
Applicants must be community leaders.

Bluewolf Technology Scholarship

Deadline: March 1      Award: Varies
Applicants must show an outstanding aptitude and passion for technology.

Religious Liberty Essay Contest

Deadline: March 1      Award: $250 – $2,000
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic about religion.

National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Scholarship

Deadline: March 1      Award: $3,500
Applicants must have an outstanding academic record and demonstrate an aptitude for college work.

Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarships

Deadline: March 1      Award: $1,000
Applicants must be African-Americans; both men and women are eligible.

Annual Kaplun Essay Contest

Deadline: March 1      Award: $750 – $1,800
Applicants must write an essay addressing a question related to religion.

A Nurse I Am Scholarship

Deadline: March 1     Award: $2,000
Applicants must be nursing majors.

Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards

Deadline: March 1      Award: $720 – $2,000
Applicants must create a print or broadcast/video entry that promotes safe driving among teens.

Barbara Wiedner and Dorothy Vandercook Peace Scholarship

Deadline: March 1      Award: $250 – $500
Applicants must have demonstrated leadership and personal initiative in activities involving peace, social justice, nuclear disarmament, and/or conflict resolution.

Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition

Deadline: March 1      Award: $1,000 – $4,000
Applicants must be instrumentalists or vocalists.

EngineerGirl Essay Contest

Deadline: March 1      Award: $100 – $500
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to engineering as it relates to modern medicine. Both men and women are eligible.

Gilbraitti Scholarship

Deadline: March 1      Award: $500
Applicants must submit an essay addressing the question, “If you could attend any college or university in the world, what school would you choose and why?”

Frame My Future Scholarship Contest

Deadline: March 5      Award: $1,000
Applicants must create an original entry piece that reflects the given topic, “How I frame my future.”

Alexander Hamilton Friends Association Scholarship Award

Deadline: March 6      Award: $500
Applicants must show a strong record of community service, show a strong commitment to academic studies, and demonstrate financial/personal need.

Tzu Chi Scholars

Deadline: March 9      Award: $1,000
Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Hays C. Kirby Scholarship Contest

Deadline: March 10      Award: $500 – $5,000
Applicants must submit an essay on the topic, “Is my country proud of me?”

Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 15      Award: $1,000 – $10,000
Applicants must have done volunteer work that goes beyond what is expected of someone their age. Open to students ages 6 to 18.

Louie Family Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: March 15      Award: $4,000
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding personal achievements, academic merit, leadership qualities, and/or community service.

Olive Garden Pasta Tales Essay Contest

Deadline: March 22      Award: $500 – $2,500
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic.

Shire ADHD Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 27      Award: $2,000
Applicants must have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship

Deadline: March 30      Award: $500
Applicants must submit two short essays: one related to travel, and the other explaining why they deserve the scholarship.

Go Daddy.ME Scholarship

Deadline: March 30      Award: $10,000
Applicants must meet specified academic criteria.

DLG Viral Video Scholarship Contest

Deadline: March 31      Award: $500 – $2,000
Applicants must submit an original public service announcement on the topic of public safety.

LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 31      Award: $2,000 – $15,000
Applicants must have experienced the death of a parent or legal guardian.

American Academy of Chefs High School Student Scholarships

Deadline: March 31      Award: Varies
Applicants must be majoring in culinary or pastry arts.

Humanist Essay Contest

Deadline: March 31      Award: $1,000
Applicants must submit a research-based essay on a topic suitable for publication in the Humanist magazine.

Don’t forget to check out your scholarship matches on Cappex.com, and be sure to click the “Get More Matches” button so you can unlock even more opportunities! We update scholarship information every week, so check back often. Best of luck!