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Insights for Success: Tips from the Scholarship Committee

Applying for a scholarship is about more than just filling out a form—it’s your opportunity to share your story with the alumni, families, and friends whose generosity makes these awards possible. To help you put your best foot forward, a longtime member of our Foundation Committee has shared these essential tips for a winning application.

  • Share your own voice. The most impactful thing you can share is your unique perspective. While AI tools are popular, the Committee is looking for a genuine connection to your experiences.

    Avoid AI-generated content. We can easily detect automated text, and using it significantly reduces your chances of being selected. Your real story is what we want to invest in—don't let a machine speak for you.

  • Verify your details. Make sure your information is accurate and verifiable. Professionalism in your application reflects your commitment to your education and your chapter.

    Double-check your uploads. When the application asks for documentation, ensure files are complete and correctly attached.

  • Remember those before you. The funds you receive are a gift from those who came before you. As you work through your application, remember The Bridge Builder poem from your candidate days.

    Pay it forward. Our hope is that once you launch your professional career, you’ll return to the bridge and help the next generation of fratres cross over, just as our donors are doing for you today.

Award Categories & Criteria

To help the Committee find the right match for you, our awards generally fall into two categories. While every application is reviewed for leadership, campus involvement, and community service, here is how we weigh the specifics:

  • Financial Need: If you are applying based on need, our primary focus is on your financial circumstances. While your academic record is still a part of the conversation, we place a heavy emphasis on how this scholarship can help bridge the gap in your educational costs.

  • Scholastic Merit: For these awards, your GPA takes center stage. These scholarships are designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Beyond these specifics, the Committee also looks for active leadership and community involvement, so be sure to showcase how you give back both on campus and within the fraternity.

Inside Tips

Application DOs: How to Stand Out

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  • Polish Your Work: Use correct grammar and spelling. Always double-check your submission—or better yet, have a friend read it over.

  • Be Specific, Not "Flowery": Clearly state your career goals. Instead of a general desire to "cure diseases," tell us you want to be a "pediatrician specializing in oncology."

  • Show Your Impact: Don’t just say the fraternity made you a better man—show us. Share specific results from your time as a leader, such as money raised for philanthropy, recruitment stats, or personal growth through challenges.

  • Stand Out: With over 300 essays to review, the Committee is looking for what makes you unique. Share the personal stories and achievements that define your journey.

  • Be Honest and Bold: Don’t be afraid to brag about your accomplishments. If you are applying for financial need, be transparent and honest about your situation.

  • Provide the Full Picture: Upload your entire transcript (unofficial is fine). We need to see your semester hours, grade trends, and the variety of classes you’re taking.

Application DON’Ts: What to Avoid

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  • Write with Purpose: Avoid one-sentence essays, but don't feel the need to write a marathon. A few meaningful, well-structured paragraphs are the best way to get your point across.

  • Speak to This Opportunity: Do not cut and paste an essay from a general college application. Your response should be unique to Sigma Alpha Mu and this specific scholarship.

  • Ensure Data Consistency: Double-check that your claims match your uploads. If your documentation doesn’t show the full picture (like a specific loan balance), use your essay to explain why.

  • Contextualize Your GPA: Be honest about your numbers. If your major-specific GPA is higher than your cumulative, feel free to highlight that and explain the reason.

  • Be Brave with the Truth: Don’t be embarrassed by financial hardship or personal struggles. Your application is confidential, and our committee members are here to sympathize and support your journey.

Application Essentials: Final Details

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  • Recommendation Letters: Every application requires them. Reach out to those who have mentored your growth—professors, advisors, employers, SAM alumni, or clergy.

  • Share Your Story: While college is expensive for everyone, the Committee is looking for the specific circumstances that make your situation unique.

  • Define Your Plan: Be clear about how the funds will be used. Whether it’s for tuition, textbooks, fees, or easing loan burdens, we want to know how this investment will make a direct difference in your education.

  • A Fair Process: Our volunteer committee works hard to honor the wishes of our donors while remaining fair to all applicants. Remember, your application is the primary tool we use to get to know you—make it interesting, factual, and compelling.

A Final Note from the Committee

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  • The Scholarship Committee hopes to see every applicant recognized through the generosity of our alumni and friends. As volunteers, we work diligently to honor our donors' wishes and remain fair to everyone. Because your application is the primary tool we use to get to know you, it is vital that your submission is factual, compelling, and uniquely yours.

  • While this guide doesn’t cover every possible angle of the writing process, we hope it gives you a strong starting point. Use your personal style to tell your story, ensure your spelling and grammar are impeccable, and make a strong case for why you are a great candidate for support.

  • We wish you the very best in your endeavors. We are proud to offer one of the premier scholarship programs in the Greek world—a program that exists because our alumni are truly invested in your success.

    -Special thanks to long-time Scholarship Committee member and donor Nathan Margolis (North Texas, ’73) for providing these application guidelines.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Maria Mandel (mariam@sam-fdn.org), Director of Scholarships and Grants. She can provide further guidance or connect you with a Committee member for additional assistance.

Disclaimer:
Scholarship award amounts displayed on any page are estimates and subject to change. The final amount granted to selected recipients may vary based on market performance of the fund, the number of qualified applicants, donor support, and individual eligibility criteria.