More Than a Test Score

Say hello to Lauren Clayton, Zinch’s newest Student Ambassador from Appalachian State University!

Hey ya’ll! I’m Lauren and I’m a freshman at Appalachian State University and a new Zinch Student Ambassador! I absolutely love App State! It gets cold, but the beauty of Boone makes up for it. I plan on majoring in nursing, with a minor in Spanish, if possible. After working as a nurse for a year or so to pay for school, I would like to continue my education to become a Pediatrician.

I love to read, and I love to learn. Right now, the thing I’m most interested in is the Counterculture Movement of the 1960’s (i.e. the Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and the Hippie Movements.) I’m extremely talkative and pretty outgoing. I love to travel and hope to keep traveling in my future. I would also like to take at least an introductory course in Chinese, French, and Italian, if not more languages.

All through high school, I couldn’t decide my major or what college would be good place for me to spend the next four years of my life. Around April or May, my major found me. I decided what most interested me, and what most fit my personality, and that turned out to be nursing. Finally, on the day of the enrollment deadline, I chose Appalachian State. Honestly, I am so happy about my decision! I find something else to like about this college or this city everyday. Appalachian is unlike any college I’ve ever visited or heard of. There is no “weird” or “different” at App State because everyone is different! It’s the only place I’ve seen sorority girls, nerds, and hippies all hang out together. When I first chose Appalachian, I was a little disappointed because it wasn’t my first choice school, but App State has gone above and beyond my expectations. Appalachian State University now, and always will, have a big place in my heart.

If you have any questions about Appalachian, just send me a message and I’d love to answer it for you and help on your college search!

Congratulations to Mary Deshon, our latest Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship winner!

Internships are crucial in helping you decide and transition to your career of choice. With that in mind, we asked if you could intern for any business or organization, where would you choose? Mary’s essay was selected because of her passion for current events and wanting to better inform others of the world around them.

Here is her winning essay:
Interning at The New York Times would be my dream choice. They’re at the center of the world and everything that is buzzing right in the moment. I’d love to be there when the news is breaking and to be involved in letting the world know just what is happening.

Here is a bit more about our winner:
I was born in Greenville, Ohio. I was raised on a farm. I moved to Dayton, Ohio when I was in the 7th grade. I auditioned and was then accepted into a School for the Arts, for playing the flute and oboe. I joined a special program called PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options) and I go to college and high school at the same time. I am in love with the sciences, and learning the depths of Human Anatomy, I’ve been taking AP classes in Biology and Chemistry and aspire to become a traveling doctor helping those in need around the world.

Here’s a few of our favorite runner’s up:

Shradha S. – I would intern at The Smile Train which is an organization that helps children with cleft lips. My cousin was born with this defect and it was hard to watch him go through all the surgeries at a young age. I want to help all kids go through the surgeries as smoothly as I can.

Malcolm S. – If I could intern for any business I would choose N.A.S.A. To work for N.A.S.A would be a dream come true as well as a great opportunity to learn my subject field, not only that it would look great on a resume.

Kristin E. – I would intern for a top music recording label. Interning would allow me to be much closer to my dreams of becoming a recording artist and entertainment manager. Having many connections in a label would completely jump start it and give me all the tools I need to be successful!

Looking for a quick way to earn some cash for college? Then apply for our Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship, where three sentences can earn you a thousand bucks. Click the link, fill out the application, and send it off—who else makes it that simple?!

Congratulations to our latest Double Your Money winner, Kathryn Spradlin! Kathryn won the SPIE Educational Scholarship for $2,000, and because she found and applied for the scholarship through Zinch, we’re matching her award for another two thousand bucks. We wanted to know what Kathryn was all about, so we asked her a few questions regarding her goals and passions—let’s see what she had to share!

What is your strategy behind applying for scholarships?

I find the scholarships that are most tailored to my interests and previous activities. By fitting personally with a scholarship I am more qualified and likely to earn the award amount. Also, because of the specificity of the scholarship I can make use of a concurrent effect: reduced competition.

What do you consider your “dream job?”

Someday I would like to be at the head of a research project that answers a long-smoldering question about the universe and turns it into a way to help humans care for the planet. I love knowing the “why” and I firmly believe that human intellect will overcome our obstacles (although discovering ever more complex ones along the way—it would not be rewarding to have nothing more to learn).

What is a passion of yours that people wouldn’t know at first glance?

I am deeply involved in martial arts, and I am a black belt in TaeKwonDo. However, because of a recent shoulder injury, I have also stumbled upon the less-perilous martial art of Tai Chi. I have found it unexpectedly beneficial to my strength, focus and balance. At an advanced level, it is even possible to defend yourself with Tai Chi!

How are you more than a test score?

I am not only a test score but also the process behind the test score. I am the discipline I put into studying and I am even the self-motivation of my study breaks. I am the friend who will put off work to help teach someone else, and the Girl Scout who loves animals and the outdoors. The way a test score is earned is different for every person. My journey, before the score, is one of curiosity and discovery.

Have you checked out our scholarship search lately? There’s over one million scholarships and $2 billion dollar worth of financial aid on Zinch, and we’re adding new scholarships every week. Don’t wait, start your search now!

Congratulations to Jerry Shi, our latest Weekly “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship winner!

We all know family is important, and so is maintaining the legacy of our parents, relatives, and loved ones. With that in mind, we asked you to describe a family tradition you’d like to pass down and why it’s important to you. Jerry’s essay spoke to us for finding a way to bond with his family, and expand their personal horizons.

Here is his winning essay:
Every year, my family and I take a trip to a country we’ve never been to before. We live hectic lives, but we believe that it’s important to experience more of the world. As globalization continues, it’s even more important to see different parts of the world.

Here is a bit more about our winner:
I am who I am.
My name is Jerry
I’m very merry
I like to rap
And I eat strawberries
As you can see
I’m a little crazy
But I can be intense
And never too lazy

Here’s a few of our favorite runner’s up:

Lilli H. – A family tradition of mine is to eat sourkraut and black-eyed peas on New Years Day. This started on my step-mothers side of the family and was brought from England. Although I don’t like the food, it is of great importance to our family because it brings “good luck” to the year.

Jeffery Z. – I would like to pass down our annual UCLA vs. USC tradition. Me and my family always watch the football game together and it’s a great time for bonding and camaraderie. It’s important to me because it’s one of the few times that my family gets together united.

Hunter H. – My family’s favorite breakfast is sourdough pancakes made from the original starter my grandpa brought back from CO in the 1950s. Each time, Grandpa loves to tell the story of how he first got the starter. Sourdough pancake breakfasts are a fun way to bring our family together.

Looking for a new tradition to share with your family? How about apply for our “Three Sentence Essay” Scholarship every week? Your three sentences could equal a thousand bucks—it’s that easy!

Congratulations to Angela Soderquist, our 2011 NACAC Scholarship winner! Angela was awarded this scholarship through the nomination of her high school counselor, who recognized all the hard work and perseverance Angela brings to the classroom on a daily basis. We wanted to learn more about our winner and her aspirations, and here’s what she had to share.

What do you consider a quintessential attribute all students should have?

I think that a quintessential attribute that all students should have is motivation. All students should believe that they are able to do well in school and become successful later in life. It has helped me to keep motivated while going though tough tests or assignments. It helps me get thought them.

What career path would you like to pursue after school?

I would like to purse a career in social work. I would like to help families in need of assistance. I really love helping people. I would also like to work with disabled children.

If you could travel to any period of time in American History, where would it be?

I really do not know what time period I would like to travel to. The 50′s could be pretty cool.

How are you more than just a test score?

I am more than just a test score because I have something that I could bring with me to a college. Not just a test score, but a good student that actually wants to be there to learn.

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We’d also like to recognize some of our runners-up and honorable mentions, who were also all nominated by their respective high school counselors. A hearty congratulations to the following students:

• Jessy Saucedo from El Paso Community College
• Katarina Waller from St. Teresa’s Academy
• Christian Scheley from Junipero Serra High School
• Tori Hinton from Holy Savior Menard Central High School
• Puja Bhowmick from High School for Arts and Business
• Leann Aitcheson from Sacramento High School
• Amanda McGinnis from Sacramento High School
• Gardenia “Gigi” Rosario from NOCCA
• Mason Finley from Roswell High School
• Lauren Barron from Falcon Virtual Academy
• Marcus West from the New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School
• Sharayah Wilson from National Collegiate Prep PCHS
• Champagne Rhone from Roosevelt High School
• Rachel Kelley from Roosevelt High School
• Madeline Flanner from Brookfield Central High School
• Juan Carlos Ponce from Quarry Lane School
• Jess Hasket from The Lowell Whiteman School
• Jennifer Riess from St. Pius X High School