If you have applied for a lot of scholarships, you likely have a few interviews lined up. While attending an interview can be slightly intimidating, there is no need to be alarmed. If you want to win those coveted awards, you need to know what to expect so you can put yourself in the best position for success. The best way to do that is through thorough preparation, and that’s where this article comes in.
If you’ve never gone to a scholarship interview, our list of helpful tips can help you get through the entire process without a hitch.
While it’s always a good thing to be yourself, you should also put in some preparation for the interview. This way, it won’t seem like such a mystery to you. There is a lot of advice floating around about scholarship interviews, but the most crucial part of them is to be ready.
The research you conduct will vary according to each scholarship you are applying for, but should generally begin with a couple of basics:
For some scholarships, the interview will be held locally. However, more high-dollar scholarships may require you to travel to a company headquarters for the interview. Many organizations will offer travel grants, but some will not. You will want to make sure you can afford to attend the interview if it is away from home. If attending a meeting is out our reach financially, let the organization know. You never know. There may be some limited funds available to help, especially if they are very interested in you as a candidate.
The circumstances of the interview itself can vary quite a bit. Small organizations may have you meeting with one individual for an hour or so who will get to know you better. More substantial scholarships might require you to meet with a committee of several people over the day. No matter what format an organization uses, you will generally know far in advance how long you should expect to be there and who you will be meeting with.
You will likely be asked many questions during the interview, so you should practice answering well ahead of time. Enlist a friend, family member, or teacher to help you conduct a mock interview, where you will answer questions similar to what will be asked during the interview. It can be hard to know what the committee or individual is going to ask, but coming prepared to answer some of the following questions is a good start:
Many scholarships have an artistic component to them. If the scholarship you are applying for requires you to submit a portfolio, make sure you have your best work ready and available for viewing.
Artists and creatives may need to submit physical copies of their work, and at times the committee may want digital copies or CDs. They may even want to see links to an online portfolio, so be sure to have all these things prepared. Generally, a dozen of your best pieces will be enough, and you should choose them carefully. Pay attention to precisely what is being requested. If the committee wants to see your work with a specific medium, make sure that that is exactly what you submit.
During the interview, it’s perfectly acceptable and even preferred to ask questions about the organization or company offering the scholarship. Not only will this help you get a better idea of what is expected of you, but it can help demonstrate that you are interested and curious about what the organization stands for.
Inquiring about the organization’s goals in offering the scholarship or asking how you can help them achieve their core mission shows initiative and motivation. You might want to ask if they provide help after graduation with things like job placement, or if you will get a mentor to guide you.
At the completion of the interview, You will want to do what has hopefully become a familiar ritual by now—follow up appropriately.
You should send a thank you email to each interviewer or committee member, but it’s also worth noting that a handwritten thank-you is more memorable. Make sure you have all the contact information you need for each connection at the end of your interview. Don’t wait too long to reach out. It’s best to make contact within a day or two of the meeting so you remain fresh in the minds of those who will be making the final decision about the scholarship.
Mercer: Interviews and Culture at the World’s Largest HR Consultancy
Interviews for Top Jobs at Mercer University
Event Team Member Interview
I applied through college or university. I interviewed at Mercer University (Macon, GA) in Jan 2021
Interview
The interview consisted of asking questions about previous experience and problem-solving techniques, good and bad qualities about yourself, and how /what you would add to the Team. It was brief and short, not many questions, and there were notes being taken on the things you were saying written on a default sheet of paper that held the questions that were asked to all interviewees.
- Q: What would you say is one of your biggest weaknesses?
Recreational Sports and Wellness Supervisor Interview
I applied in-person. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Mercer University in Mar 2021
Interview
Interview are in person. A panel of 3-4 current supervisors ask about 10 questions total. The process went how you would expect it to. I received the job offer within a week.
- Tell me about a time you handled conflict
After this, there is essentially free time to do whatever one wants (with options for residence hall tours, or campus tours), or just chilling. Interviews will be held at this time, and it will say your time on your schedule (ranging from 11:00 to 2:15 I believe). The interviews are around 15-20 minutes long, and are at designated locations which are specified on the particular schedule of the student. There are many friendly Mercer students who have been given the task of helping students find there way, as well as a student-driven golf-cart for easy transport.
Like your daughter, I was pretty blind going into the competition. I wanted to put a post out so that future students can at least have some idea of what goes on. I guess for me, there was so much hype about this being an “exclusive” event, that I really fell prey to that and ignored some information that was already on the threads (like 400 students).
Also, How much are you willing to pay? I really liked the people of Mercer University, but do not feel that is worth as much as it is in tuition. I started off with an 18K merit scholarship, and was awarded the Jesse Mercer Scholarship of 24K. The scholarships were not stackable, so I only ended up with 24K. This would leave approx. 10K in tuition plus another 13K or so for housing (required for students) and meal plans. Thus, I would be paying something like 23K, and probably even more (transportation, other needs).
I have decided to write this post to give an insight into the competition. It is my hope that future parents/students will find this useful. If you are a student that received full-tuition (or something to make it affordable without student loans), many congrats! I hope that Mercer will be a place you will thrive, if you so choose to attend.
When invited, students will have the choice of registering for the opening ceremony. My advice is that this is a waste of time. There were something like 400-500 (I could be wrong) students in a tent, who listened to a brief 10 minute speech from the President and Director of Admissions, ate some small snacks, and the program ended. I personally was extremely surprised with the enormous amount of students invited. I did not expect this when I registered for the competition, and found out that the opening ceremony carried no benefit (i.e. showing interest). Thus, especially for students within Georgia or a close drive away (3 hours or less perhaps), I would advise students to drive in early morning for the actual competition.
The Requirements of the Scholarship
Scholarships can be quite competitive, and if you have been chosen to appear at an interview, this means your application stood out in some way. You will want a thorough understanding of what each committee is looking for. Most prefer students who have excelled not only in academics but in extracurricular activities as well. Be sure you understand upfront what the specific requirements are for each scholarship so you can have any necessary paperwork and documents ready.
Heritage Scholars Weekend | Mercer University Admissions
Mercer University extends this invitation to only the most talented first-year applicants. During this invitation-only scholarship event students interview with faculty staff and alumni; participate in academic experiences; and tour Mercers historic Macon campus.
