University of Connecticut University Scholar Program

Thinking about applying to or attending the University of Connecticut? Maybe learning more about their University Scholar Program might help you make your decision. The Award The University of Connecticut’s University Scholar Program is one of the most prestigious undergraduate programs at UConn. The Program is available to all undergraduates in the University’s schools and colleges. It is designed to give students the opportunity to design and pursue a project or research they are interested in, and to tailor an individualized curriculum for their final three semesters at UConn. University Scholars are awarded the General University Fee for the duration of the program (3 semesters) and are also able to take advantage of additional university benefits. See the full list here. Application Process The University Scholar Program is a 3-semester program, and it is typically done during the last 3 semesters at UConn. Thus, students typically apply the fall of their junior year. Students who are interested in applying should brainstorm the general area of study they wish to pursue during the course of the program, and speak with faculty members to help plan their proposal and for advice. Students are highly recommended to read past successful proposals before putting together their own. The application requires a letter of intent, project proposal and a plan of study. Deadlines September 11, 2017: Letter of Intent Due November 6, 2017: Application Due (Project Proposal and Plan of Study) December 22, 2017: Applicants will be notified of Selection Committee’s Decision There will be information sessions during the spring for sophomores who are interested in applying the next fall. Campus Culture The UConn University Scholar Program is certainly appealing, but it is one of the many programs that UConn offers. If you’re still not sure if UConn is the school for you, here are some recommendations and suggestions from current UConn students: AALBIRUNI University of Connecticut ‘19 My school is located in the middle of nowhere, lingering on the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Despite its isolation, the community of the University of Connecticut is closer to home than many think, because there is a diversity of individuals, many whom I know from the same region. Every person in Connecticut can name at least two other people who went to the UConn. UConn hosts a dynamic community where everyone knows each other. Unlock his full UConn application file!Bc5123 University of Connecticut ‘19 I applied at the last possible second because my college essay sill needed some work. My advice is to apply early. If you know that you want to go to UConn apply for early action or early decision. These students are the ones that get considered for the honors program first (and if youre in the honors program you get half tuition). The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of getting in and getting a nice scholarship, so dont waste time! Unlock her full successful UConn application file! Want to learn more about UConn and how to get in? Ourpremium plansoffer different level of profile access and data insights that can help you get into your dream school. Unlock any of ourpackagesor search ourundergraduate profile databaseto find specific profiles that can help you make an informed choice about where to apply!

Tips for Winning Writing Contests

Tips for Winning Writing Contests Entering writing contests is great practice for writing, editing, revising and submitting your work, whether it is creative nonfiction or flash or longer fiction. The more awards you can obtain, the better it looks on your resume and makes you more attractive when applying for specific writing gigs and searching for a literary agent. Having won several different awards for my work over the years, Ive developed three tips for finding success with writing contests. Select the right contest for your work. There are so many contests out there, its important to do your research when deciding where to submit your work. Are you familiar with the publication or website offering the contest? Are the entry fees reasonable? I personally dont enter contests where the entry fee is more than $30, but thats a personal choice. Research previous winning stories to get a feel for what the contest is looking for. When I entered the Writers Digest Popular Fiction Awards last year, I looked over the categories and decided I wanted to use the contest as an opportunity to create two new short stories- one a suspense/thriller and one in the young adult category. I read back through several years winners for the suspense category and then got to work. Admittedly, I didnt research the young adult category quite as much. My story, The Polaroid, won first place in the 2017 Popular Fiction Awards suspense category. The young adult story didnt go anywhere, so I filed it away. Make your submission unique. Follow the guidelines for stories to the letter. If theres a prompt, follow it and stay within the requested word count. Think of a unique angle for a submission. As a judge for the WOW! Women on Writing quarterly flash fiction contest, I read through a lot of preliminary submissions. One subject we see a lot are stories that focus on dementia and Alzheimers Disease or the disintegration of marriages. So, if you are going to write about those topics, take unique angles on them, such as sharing the story from the perspective of a neighbor or from the mind of the person with the illness, or giving a failing marriage short story a twist ending the reader isnt expecting. Use contests to find a home for work youve already produced. As I mentioned earlier, I had written a young adult story for the WD Popular Fiction Awards that didnt place. A few months later I came across another writing contest opportunity from the Womens National Book Association. I thought the story, titled The Name Youre Not Supposed to Call Women, would be a good fit for this particular contest. I read through a few of the previous winners and submitted my entry. Within two months I received notification that the story won Honorable Mention in the 2018 WNBA Writing Contest Young Adult Category. I was glad that I hadnt let the story languish and was able to find it a home in this particular contest, giving me another great credit for my resume. Writing short stories has helped breathe new life into my writing. There are also plenty of creative nonfiction contests out there, including one that WOW! Women on Writing holds each quarter. Try your hand at submitting using these tips and you may be surprised Links: WOW! Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest http://wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#FlashFictionContest   WOW! Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest http://wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest