By Susan Alaimo
A recent ABC News story told of a Florida high school senior who was offered a combined total of more than a million dollars in scholarship money from the colleges to which she had applied. Yes, she was a great student. But the quality that differentiated her from most of her peers was that she had been an equestrian rider since the fifth grade. After breaking her femur in freshman year, she had picked up “dressage.” This is when a rider and horse perform a series of precise, memorized movements. She had earned second place in a national competition., A recent NBC News story told of a 17-year-old Illinois student who will be attending Perdue University in the fall on a full scholarship. He too was a great student. But his differentiating quality was that he had worked as a golf caddie throughout his high school years. Having grown up first in an abusive home and then being bounced between foster homes, the young man had spent most of his time (outside of school) on a country club bench in front of a pro shop waiting for a chance to earn tips. He is now one of 910 caddies awarded free tuition and housing at 19 universities thanks to a scholarship from the Western Golf Association., What both of these students have in common is a passion, and talent, for an activity not frequently undertaken by the majority of their peers. Pursuing and excelling at an “unusual” activity is a great way to potentially earn scholarship money., A high school musician at a prestigious summer music camp reported that the conductor referred to the middle section as “Scholarship Row.” This was the area that seated students playing oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, baritone saxophones and tubas., In athletics as well, the choice of a particular sport makes a big difference in the likelihood of playing on a college team with the chance of being awarding a scholarship. According to ScholarshipStats.com, the percent of high school athletes who go on to compete in college have the best odds for the men’s fencing, gymnastics, lacrosse, and ice hockey. For women, the best numbers appeared for fencing, ice hockey, lacrosse, and synchronized swimming., Hobbies, too, can lead to scholarship money. The National Cartoonist Society Foundation and the Game Show Network both award money to talented students in cartooning and video game innovation, respectively., The key is for students to stand out from the pack, in whatever activity they choose, and to make sure college admission people are aware of their talent!, Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of SAT Smart in Hillsborough that has been offering PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation courses, as well as private tutoring by IVY-League educated instructors, for more than 20 years. Visit www.SATsmart.com.
