Tips for a Standout Golden Apple Scholars Application
The Golden Apple Scholars teacher preparation program journey begins with the application and is the first impression a candidate will make on the Scholars selection committee.
Want your Golden Apple Scholars application to stand out? Check out these four tips and best practices from our recruitment team, which cover key areas in the application:
1. Do your research on the Golden Apple Scholars Program
In order to effectively stand out as a candidate when applying to a selective program, it is important to understand the program you are applying for and how you match the criteria. Start by reviewing the Scholar requirements to make sure you’re eligible. Then dig a little deeper into what the program provides, as well as the Scholar commitments such as teaching in a school-of-need and attending Scholar Institutes.
2. Do some soul searching about your passion for teaching
Effectively communicating your passions can be the most difficult part of the application. You may know that you're passionate about teaching, but can you explain why in a compelling way?
One recommendation is to spend 15 minutes writing down all of the different reasons why you want to become a teacher, including examples of inspiring teachers you had or the change you want to make in your community. After 15 minutes, read through what you wrote and decide which idea effectively communicates your passion for teaching - not what you think we want to hear. Use this to develop a strong, focused personal statement that vividly communicates this passion and highlights your individuality.
Of course, have a friend or family member proofread your statement for clarity, grammatical accuracy, and typos.
3. Use activities and employment to highlight your personal strengths (and don’t be afraid to be creative)
We want to see how your student activities and employment have helped prepare you to become a teacher. What are you involved in that demonstrates your leadership?
If you don’t have a long list of activities, don’t panic - get creative. Do you have any responsibilities that highlight your leadership skills or ability to teach others? Think about the role you play in your family or in your community that can give us an idea of who you are and what you are capable of doing. Have you been helping your brothers or sisters with distance learning during the pandemic? Write about that!
4. Help your references help you
An effective recommendation is dependent on who is writing it and the context they have been given. When selecting who will write your reference, pick someone with whom you have a good relationship and who can effectively communicate your strengths.
Once you have selected a reference, send them background information about the Golden Apple Scholars program and a copy of your application that you can download from your application portal. By providing this background, your reference can more effectively tailor your recommendation to highlight key personal strengths and your passions. Don’t forget, while references are required and important in Golden Apple’s final decision, you can still submit your Scholars application before all your references have been collected.
High school seniors through college sophomores in Illinois can apply to the Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois until April 1, 2024.