Victoria College “What’s Your Story?” Scholarship
Deadlines
The deadline for applications for the 2012-2013 Victoria College "What's Your Story?" Scholarship is March 30, 2012. The scholarship is for $1,000 for each winner. Winners will be notified by no later than April 27, 2012. The awards will be presented during an award breakfast in May 2012.
Submissions
Applications and essays can be submitted via e-mail to Satwik.Dasgupta@VictoriaCollege or Lisa.Devries@VictoriaCollege.edu.
Applications and essays may also be submitted by mail to:
ATTN: Satwik Dasgupta or Lisa Devries
Victoria College "What's Your Story?" Scholarship Chair
Language Building
2200 E. Red River
Victoria, TX 77901
Eligibility
Students are eligible if they are currently enrolled at Victoria College and
- have completed at least 6 hours towards an associate's degree or certificate
- possess at least a 2.0 overall Grade Point Average.
- Be planning to enroll at Victoria College during the subsequent fall 2012 semester.
Lastly, all applicants must consent to have their essays published by Victoria College on its Web site and any other area the college deems appropriate. In addition, those applicants who are awarded the scholarship must agree to read their essay at the award presentation during the award breakfast. The date for the breakfast has not yet been set.
Previous winners of the "What's Your Story?" Scholarship are not eligible to participate in this contest.
How Do I Write the Essay?
Your essay should answer the following question:
How has Victoria College changed your life?
The essay should have three parts that develop your response to the question. Research is not needed or even encouraged for this essay, since this essay is about your personal experiences. However, your essay should include specific examples and explanation of those examples that develop your answer to the question.
Your essay should contain the following:
- An introduction, which introduces how you will answer the question and includes a specifically stated thesis that communicates your answer to the essay question. The objective is to demonstrate that you understand the question and have formed an appropriate response to it. This should be one paragraph.
- A body, which develops your answer to the question through citing specific examples from your life and explanations of how those examples answer the essay question. This should be two to three paragraphs.
- A conclusion, which provides your overall final thoughts on your answers to the essay question and develops any conclusions you may have about the future of your life. This should be one paragraph.
You must:
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Type your essay, double-spaced, on one side of white 8 ½ by 11 inch paper with left and right margins set at 1 inch.
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Use Times New Roman font, 12 point size
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Answer the essay contest question in a well-organized essay between 500-750 words or two to three typed pages.
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Number the pages of your essay.
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Submit a copy of your essay, application, and transcripts electronically through the VC website or to the scholarship chair by no later than March 30, 2012.
Your essay may be disqualified if:
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It does not meet the minimum word/page requirement.
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It exceeds the maximum word/page requirement.
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It does not answer the essay question.
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Application form is incomplete.
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It is received after March 30, 2012.
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It contains plagiarism-that is, uses someone else's statements or ideas as your own.
How Will Your Essay Be Judged?
Essays submitted to the committee will be judged by 2 Victoria College faculty members, 2 Victoria College staff members, and 2 Victoria community members. The 6 applicants that score the highest will be looked at by the committee, who will then choose the 3 winners from the 6 top scoring applications.
The essays will be judged based on the criteria outlined below:
1. Form--This is the structural part of the essay.
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a. Grammar-Judges will examine how well the essay is written in terms of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
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b. Organization--Judges will look at the structure of your essay and the strength of your thesis statement. Does the essay have an organized structure? An excellent essay has introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The organization includes an excellent thesis and moves the reader through the text.
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c. Craftmanship-Judges will determine if the essay utilizes proper word choice and sentence construction.
2. Content-This is the essential part of the essay.
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a. Main Idea-Judges will determine if the essay contains a thesis that answers the essay question, is clearly stated, and is clearly addressed in the essay.
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b. Supporting Ideas-Judges will examine how the main idea is supported and developed through the body paragraphs. Are the examples relevant to the stated thesis and are they fully developed?
3. Impression-This is the judge's reaction.
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a. Prognosis-The judges will decide how well your essay captures the essence of the essay question.
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b. Personal Reaction-The judges will also rate your essay on how they enjoyed reading your essay. This is where they determine how well they have gotten to know you through the essay and how your originality and creativity have spoken to the judges.
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