Why Your 4.0 GPA Will Not Get You a Scholarship

Scholarship donors are looking for more than a highgreat on your scholarship application. The activity
GPA from their applicants. A 4.0 GPA will certainly getdoes not need to be provided by your school. Here
your scholarship application in the "consider" pile,are some ideas:
though it may not be enough to win you the award.- Play an instrument, whether in your school band or
Donors want their students to be well-roundedon your own.
individuals. Involvement in extracurricular activities at- Perform in plays and theater productions. Join the
school and in the community can actually outweighschool drama club or community actors club.
even the not-so-great GPA. And without those- Become a member of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
activities, an application with a perfect GPA may notNaval Sea Cadet Corps, Junior ROTC, Big Brother/Big
even be considered.Sister, or other youth programs.
Athletics- Join an art enrichment program. Draw, paint, sculpt,
Playing on one of your school's sports teams is aetc.
great way to get involved. To qualify for an athletic- Dance in your school club or at a local dance studio.
scholarship, you'll need to do more than just list it onTry ballet, jazz, tap, swing, ballroom competition,
your application. Find out when and where the collegenative dance, interpretive dance, etc.
coaches will be doing their scouting. Every sport has- Volunteer at church, the local food bank or any
its own special premier events where you cannon-profit agency. Participate in any of the above
showcase your talent. If your high school doesn'tprograms and you are sure to improve your odds of
have a team for your favorite sport, find a way togetting a scholarship award. These activities will also
stay involved in that sport; even if it is recreationally.carry over to your college application making you a
Other Extracurricular Activitiesprime candidate for acceptance. Depending on the
If you have no interest in playing a sport in school,type of activity in which you participate and the level
there are plenty of other extracurricular activities inof your involvement, you can put together quite an
which you can participate. What are your interests,impressive activities portfolio (including photo
strengths, and hobbies? You will most likely be ableslideshows, videos, and more) to accompany your
to find an activity that relates to them and will lookscholarship and college admission applications.