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Profile of a successful AORN Foundation: scholarship applicant

AORN Journal, March, 2004 by Sharon L. Chappy, Kathleen B. Gaberson, Patricia S. Stein

Each year, the AORN Scholarship Committee selects recipients of AORN Foundation scholarships to support educational advancement. Scholarships are awarded to AORN members enrolled in doctoral, master's, or RN-to-bachelor of science in nursing programs and to students enrolled in programs leading to initial licensure as an RN. The selection process becomes more competitive each year as the number of scholarship applications increases. This article presents the profile of a successful applicant for AORN member scholarships, emphasizing the elements that make one candidate stand out from others who may appear to be equally qualified.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS

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Directions for completing the scholarship application are available on the AORN Foundation web page (ie, http://www.aorn.org/foundation). Following the directions for preparing and submitting the application makes a good first impression. The successful scholarship applicant recognizes that a complete, properly organized application reflects the applicant's attention to detail, a quality that may lead to success in an academic program.

The Scholarship Committee must use the same criteria to evaluate all applicants, so any applicant who does not follow directions will be disqualified. Applicants who rise to the top follow application directions exactly, including specifications for content and appearance. A good application contains everything that is requested and nothing more. Scholarship application requirements and processes may change from year to year, so the successful applicant carefully follows the posted instructions rather than copying the format from a previous year.

The best scholarship applications adhere to specifications for margins, spacing, font size, and length. They are neatly typed or computer printed, assembled in the specified order, stapled securely, and submitted without a binder or report cover. Of course, successful applications are submitted by the stated deadline.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

In the personal statement, applicants have the opportunity to explain why they believe they should receive scholarships. The personal statement is like a job interview, in which the job seeker makes every effort to convince an employer that he or she is the best person for the position. Successful applicants make their case for a scholarship award by responding to questions and addressing specific topics detailed in the scholarship criteria.

Outstanding personal statements are organized into distinct sections with headings that correspond to each of the application requirements. This makes it easier for Scholarship Committee members to identify applicants' responses to each question clearly. Successful applicants demonstrate competent communication skills and use proper grammar and spelling in their statements.

A successful applicant clearly articulates his or her reasons for pursuing a degree and reasons why a particular program supports his or her career goals. Evidence of involvement in AORN chapter activities, leadership roles, and other contributions to the profession and the specialty of perioperative nursing are presented. Successful applicants describe their financial need realistically while acknowledging a responsibility to fund their own education whether or not a scholarship is awarded.

Not every successful applicant participates in volunteer activities. Some have personal or family commitments that limit outside volunteer activities; however, their passion for caring about others is evident as they explain their reasons for limited volunteering. Many describe volunteerism as a future goal when their academic programs are completed.

TRANSCRIPTS

Scholarship criteria require submission of official transcripts from previous and current educational programs. An official transcript is one that has been issued by the registrar of the school, college, or university and sent directly to the AORN Foundation rather than to the applicant. Transcripts verify an applicant's status in the current academic program as well as his or her academic ability. Transcripts submitted for a successful applicant reveal current enrollment in a degree program and good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The numbers of credits previously earned and in progress are consistent with the credit totals that the applicant entered on the application forms.

Successful scholarship applicants recognize that official transcripts may not be available on short notice, so they allow sufficient time for transcript requests to be processed before the application deadline. Requesting a transcript for the current degree program too early, however, may result in dissimilar credit totals between the transcript and the application, calling the accuracy of the application into question.

PROOF OF ACCREDITATION

The successful scholarship applicant submits appropriate proof of current accreditation for the degree program or the educational institution he or she is attending. This requirement ensures that applicants are enrolled in programs and schools that meet external standards of quality education. Proof of accreditation can be found in the program or school catalog or on the school's web site. Other acceptable evidence may be a copy of the program's or school's notification of accreditation by the accrediting body, stating the time period for this approval. A printed copy of an accrediting body's web page or directory of accredited programs or institutions, listing the applicant's program or school and the expiration date of its accreditation, also is acceptable.

Health Care Industry

Profile of a successful AORN Foundation: scholarship applicant

AORN Journal, March, 2004 by Sharon L. Chappy, Kathleen B. Gaberson, Patricia S. Stein

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