EXCITING NEWS! The 2026 versions of the How to Win College Scholarships ebooks are now available!
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College Scholarship Tip: Take Off Your Mask and Be Yourself
Use this college scholarship tip to show the judges who you REALLY are!
Students, when you are filling out scholarship applications and writing essays, don’t be tempted to wear a mask and make yourself out to be someone that you are not.
Scholarship judges can easily see when students are creating what they think to be the perfect scholarship applicant.
Remember that references are often required to share their contact information and can easily be called to verify student claims.
Also, some organizations offering scholarship money require an interview to make the final award decision.
If you have embellished the truth or shared untrue information in your application, you will be scrambling to remember exactly what you claimed when asked directly for more details.
(Be sure to read the extensive section in my How to Win College Scholarships ebooks on how to WOW the judges during scholarship interviews.)
College scholarship judge Christina Schanda shares: 
“It should go without saying that you should always be truthful on your applications. Local scholarships often have review committees made up of people who may know you or your family or friends.
This makes it easy to check information to confirm your honesty. Filling out scholarship applications is a similar process to filling out job applications, facts and information provided can be checked.
You should never misrepresent yourself.”
Take to heart this college scholarship tip and save the mask, costume, and superhero cape for Halloween.
When applying for college scholarships, always be honest, open, and 100% YOU.
Open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors! APPLY NOW HERE
Learn how to apply SMART to impress the judges and submit stand-out scholarship applications.
What does this mean? This happy parent says it all,
“My son accepted a scholarship tonight from the local Rotary Club. He was one of 4 students receiving a scholarship. (A $2,000 scholarship renewable for 4 years for a total of $8,000) The announcer commented to the crowd that my son’s scholarship application was the “neatest” package he had ever seen in his 20 years of heading the scholarship committee. While my son had a good essay, and achievements to report, it was obvious that the presentation of the materials made a positive impact. Thank you, Monica Matthews, of How to Win College Scholarships, for the great advice and tips! The small investment I made in buying her ebooks truly helped. This is the 4th scholarship my son has won and they all add up! I post this information to encourage parents that scholarships are available and if you are going to apply, apply SMART!” S.M. Facebook Fan and Proud Texas Parent
You may also like to read: Don’t Be Afraid of College Scholarships
Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regard to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets, and more have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. She teaches them how to apply S.M.A.R.T. with outstanding results.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites, and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.
This is super important advice. The mask can hide a lot of good things.
Very good point. Thanks for reading, Carol!
This applies not only in scholarships but life. In relationships. In business. Your genuine image is the easiest image to maintain. Effortless really. 😉
Right, Jess. Also, there is no having to scramble and remember what was said or proclaimed if it is the truth. So simple!
You are on a slippery slope when trying to be someone you are not, especially today when so many connections are transparent with social media. Not worth it as you so aptly express, Monica.
Exactly, Molly! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Solid advice. Let the real you shine through ☀️ and don’t be tempted to tell lies. You can always sell yourself and big yourself up without telling fibs.
“Big up yourself” LOVE this! Thank you, Em. 🙂
Agree 100%! Be yourself because that person is awesome. It’s a good philosophy to live by — not just use for scholarship essays!
Right, Robin! Thanks so much for visiting my scholarship blog! 🙂
Oh yes, that tip is vitally important. Can also be twinned with “don’t exaggerate”! For example: If you speak Spanish but only enough to order 2 beers & a packet of crisps when in Mexico or Spain; don’t exaggerate and say you are fluent. If you’ve bragged too much & not backed up that brag then that could lead to embarrassment at best; who knows what at worse…
Good point, Linda!
That tip is true for all of life! Be yourself. 100%. All of the time. (Unless you are an actress and being paid to be someone else, then be that person….but when you’re done….being yourself!)
Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
This was an issue with some of my first college scholarship apps back in the day. I got more results when I started to be genuine!
Great feedback. Thank so much, Tony!
Good advice. There’s no point in embellishing any applications or interviews – you never know when (not if) you’ll get found out and it may be at a huge cost (not necessarily monetary) to you.
Yes, exactly! Thanks, Linda! 🙂
100% agree. Reminds me of why I always interview for a job as the “real me.” If I’m not a good fit for the company, then so be it…just means it wasn’t the best job for me.
Exactly, Ellen. Also, it gets tricky trying to remember what you shared on applications if it wasn’t the truth.