More Than a Test Score

After announcing Antonette as the winner of our “More Than A Test Score” Photo Contest, we wanted to touch base about her award and aspirations. She had plenty to say about both, so let’s dig in!

What is your strategy behind applying for scholarships?

Quite frankly, I do not have a certain strategy when it comes to applying for scholarships. Majority of the scholarships I am familiar with are need-based, and I am not eligible for those. It was not until recently that I discovered websites for merit-based scholarships and other scholarship competitions that are not solely need-based. I am still a fledgling when it comes to scholarships, and I am on the process of learning and looking for strategies myself. But here is a tip: You can never go wrong with Zinch ;)

How did you spread the word about your entry to garner votes?

I used a strategy called shameless advertising a.k.a. bugging almost every single one of my Facebook friends everyday. Of course, I summoned my inner conceited self, too, and voted for my entry everyday, but kidding aside, let us just say that I am blessed to have the most wonderful friends. I am not a very confident person, and if there is something other than worms that I hate the most, it is competitions. My friends, my relatives, and all the strangers who supported me were my motivation. Also, besides Facebook, I posted the link of my entry on my blog, and people started reblogging it. I really could not have done it without all these people who generously spent some time of their lives to vote for my entry; I am more than grateful.

After school, what kind of career path would you like to follow?

I grew up in a poor country, and everything I have witnessed and experienced while growing up is quite humbling. My family instilled a strong sense of practicality in me since I was little (by practicality, I meant “choose a career that will pay loads of money.”) But honestly, it really helped. I am currently working on my pre-pharmacy requirements, and I am planning on transferring to UCSF’s School of Pharmacy right after. I have been made aware of the challenges that comes with the journey through PharmD; it is scary, but I will get there. One day, I will be able to give aid to people, go on medical missions around the world, and of course, live comfortably.

If you were going on a trip around the world, what three landmarks would you have to visit?

Just three?! This is tough, but okay. My first stop would definitely be Korea’s N Seoul Tower. I have seen the tower in a lot of shows and photographs, and I just find it beautiful. Next would be the Great Wall of China; I can just imagine how beautiful the view would be from up there. And I can also imagine how many calories I would burn walking up and down the path! And last but not the least, Italy’s Colosseum.

What’s something you’re passionate about that people wouldn’t expect at first glance?

Something I am passionate about that people would not expect at first glance is photography—well, the same goes for other photographers, really, unless they are carrying their equipment around all the time or have “I am a photographer” written on their forehead. One of the most fascinating things I find about photography is that you just do not take photographs, you freeze moments—moments that you can keep for as long as you want to. I may not have majored in photography, but I still take photography classes every semester. What can I say? Photography is just so wonderful, and I cannot get enough.

Want to stay ahead of the scholarship hunt? Become a fan of Zinch on Facebook for all the latest details on scholarships, contests, and updates every student should know.

Give a warm welcome to Ron Addison, our Student Ambassador from Southern Illinois University Carbondale!

Hello everyone! The name’s Addison, Ron Addison. Friends and teachers call me Ron, Ronnie, Ronald, and Ronaldo. Choose your pick; I learned to answer to all of them. I enjoy laughter, sarcasm and learning different languages. If you teach it, I will learn it.

I am an Aviation Technology and Aviation Flight major at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I have just completed my first year at SIUC and it has truly been an experience. I love to be involved in things, and I’ve kept myself busy with many different types of activities on campus; I’ve participated in everything from my hall council, to student government activities, to especially VOLUNTEERING.

There is SO MUCH to explore around the SIUC campus. The housing enables students to connect with each other through Living Learning Communities in the residence halls, and through more than 400 student organizations. Community connections come through major-oriented service learning, and through intern and externships. SIUC also offers more than 200 majors, minors and specializations, held together by a strong core curriculum.

That being said, I am more than welcome to answer your questions about this university. Feel
free to send any questions/comments you have my way! I can’t wait to hear from anyone who may be interested!

Congratulations to Kristina McDonald, our latest Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship winner! As the old saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.” We wanted to know how a past disappointment inspired you towards a future success, and your guys’ responses were nothing less than inspirational. Kristina’s essay proved to us that sometimes the biggest hurdles in life are the ones we set for ourselves.

Here is her winning essay:
When giving a speech in class, I froze due to stage fright. I realized that I needed to improve my speaking skills and within a few years I was a main character in a school musical and spoke at a conference with over 1,000 kids.

Here is a bit more about our winner:
I am an overachiever and strive to do my best in school. I know what I want in life and I’m not scared to get it. I want to achieve a business degree and possibly minor in international affairs. My goal is to one day open a cupcake bakery that is devoted to a humanitarian cause. My goal is to somehow help this world we live in. I have a heart too big for my own good and need to do something with it!

Kristina’s hard work landed her a $1,000, and you could be next! Apply for our Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship for your shot at a cool grand.

Summer is a time for enjoying the weather, hanging with friends, and banking some scholarship moolah—at least that’s the way we see it.

That’s why we’re hosting a brand new scholarship competition called the Zinch My Summer Photo Contest! This is set to be one of our most exciting scholarship contests ever, so listen up, cause here’s everything you need to know…

Send us a picture of yourself displaying the spirit of the summer season—whether it be hitting the beach, enjoying the great outdoors, or even throwing a family barbeque—and include our “Zinch My Summer” graphic in the photo. You can download the graphic directly from the contest application, or by clicking here. Be sure to tell your friends all about your entry too, cause we’ll be picking the winner out of the top 10 highest-voted photos sent in. The submissions period starts today, so get started, cause the big payoff this time is a $1,500 scholarship!

Now, we could stop there and still have an awesome contest going on, but why not make it even better? To keep all you students on your toes we’re including a “Refer a Friend” Bonus Prize, where if you refer a friend to the contest, and they win, we’ll also award you $1,500 for bring them on board. Think of it like this, every friend you refer is another chance at landing that chunk of change, so the more people you tell the better your odds!

To enter, click on the Zinch My Summer Photo Contest app on our Facebook Fan Page. The submissions phase lasts until August 14th, and voting goes from August 15th through the 29th.

Good luck Zinchers, time to make this summer one for the record books!

Congratulations to our 2011 Transfer Student Scholarship winner Elizabeth Gomez, from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago! We wanted to know a little bit more about what made Elizabeth tick, and she was kind enough to give us some insight. Here’s what she had to share…

What is your strategy behind applying for scholarships?

When it comes to applying for scholarships I try to pick the ones that care about the personality and the talent of a person rather than their major. I look for scholarships that give me a chance to showcase my strengths and allow me to be creative, and most of all be myself.

What career path do you see yourself taking after school?

When it comes to choosing a career path after school, I would continue to make a name for myself as a professional artist. Painting murals, commissioning, and continuing to expand via my artistic and marketing skills to really change up what the art world has to offer. I want to change the art world, that is my biggest plan after schooling!

If you could work on a jam-piece with any two artists (past or present) who would you choose?

If I could do a jam piece with any two artists I would hands down choose Salvador Dali and Rita Kirkman. I would choose Dali, the rock star of art because of his brilliant mind and passion. Not to mention the whole experience would be hilarious and just full of life and never-ending color. Rita Kirkman, is a fellow Texan artist that I have had to honor to work side by side with, drawing portraits for a few years now. And she has never failed to amaze me with her mastery of pastels and really any medium she puts her mind to. Her compositions and use of color are genius and with the three of us combined, I feel like I would learn so much and the final product would a masterpiece unlike the world had ever seen.

How are you more than a test score?

I Elizabeth Renee Gomez, am more than a test score, I because I live to create beauty and share it with the world, and I’ve never seen a test score do that.

Elizabeth was our winner for this year’s Transfer Student Scholarship, but we’re not done yet! For your shot at the 2012 scholarship, and the $5,000 that comes with it, click here to apply.