My Experience as a Loran Direct Pool Semi-Finalist
By Grace Gong
I made the Youtube Video as well. Its the same thing as the wording below, but some people like to hear somebody talk so I made it as well:)
My experience as a Loran Direct Pool Semi-Finalist I remember it like yesterday when I opened my email for the millionth time, to check if I had received an email from Loran Scholars Foundation. I was not sure what to expect, and when I opened the email, it was a rejection letter, stating "the end of your Loran journey." However, I believe this is just the beginning of a new chapter.
Looking back at this experience, I have learned and reflected more about myself in these 3 months than I have for a long time. Regardless of the outcome, I wouldn't change a thing.
Many people will be going to interviews in February, Today, I will be going through my experience. If you applied for the Loran Award this year, I would like to first praise you for taking the initiative to implement. Regardless of whether or not you advanced to National Selections, I want to let you know that you are valuable. Remember that your worth is not determined by any awards or scholarships that you get, and regardless of the outcome, you should be proud of yourself. Now, onto the journey!
The process I submitted my application in late October and was emailed in around late November for an interview. I did my interview at the beginning of December through video conference as I applied via the direct pool. However, if possible, I encourage you to apply to be sponsored by your school as well. If you are nominated by your school, you can speak to them in person, which will increase your likelihood of advancing to the next round of interviews. I was very nervous going into the interview because, as a Direct Pool Finalist, you are really only given one shot to make your "mark" before they make the decision of whether or not you advance to National Selections. That is a big deal, especially when everything has to go "right". That week, I was so stressed, and so I decided to message some of the Loran finalists, asking them for advice. I am so appreciative of how nice and encouraging they were. I would not recommend doing this though, because I understand they are really busy, so hopefully, this article will give you some tips. They repeated the same thing throughout our dialogue:
1. Be Yourself During interviews
This was the response I got, and I genuinely understand why now. When you are going into an interview, that is based highly on character, they want to know more about you. This really means that scripted responses are a big no-no. If I asked you a question about you, would you be able to respond with certainty? By all means, we are all still developing ourselves as individuals. But at the core of this journey that we are going through, do you understand yourself? I would highly recommend that you speak with your family members and go into deep conversations that will encourage you to think deeper about yourself. What makes you, you? That is one of the most valuable things, and losing that sense of "you" during the interview could result in a bland undertone. But most
importantly, you are selling yourself short because you are not putting your best foot forward. Why go through this entire process, if you are not being yourself?
Now, here are my tips for anyone who is applying next year:
1. Follow your passion
I think that one of the most essential characteristics of Loran Scholars is its multitude of diverse pathways. They are all pursuing careers they are passionate about, and this will mean that you need to think about the pat you are taking. Please, learn from my mistakes. Take an extra week or two if you have to think deeply about this one because the Loran scholarship is not a 4-year scholarship that finishes after the period is over. It carries over the course of your life, and you need to make sure that you are choosing and writing down things that accurately reflect where you see yourself in the future. Do not try to make yourself seem more "likeable" or change these options so that you look like a more marketable candidate. After all, as I said before, they will be choosing you for you. If you are not yourself, then there will be no point in getting this scholarship. (Because they will not be choosing you for you, and you will end up unhappy if you are doing things that don't make you happy)
2. Know yourself too!
In addition to talking with family members, and getting feedback on the delivery of your responses (as long as they are coherent.) you should be able to create questions of your own and know the answer. I think you need to reflect on the past. The future. These are things that I believe were lacking in my own process, because I was unsure of how to answer them myself. Even after speaking with family members, I didn’t really have that internal reflection. Especially when they might tell you something that you yourself would not say. Although there are no right answers and no wrong answers, It would be wrong if you force yourself into an answer that you are not satisfied with.
3. Do not be afraid to be "politically incorrect."
I have heard that people from past nationals have been scared of answering questions in the wrong way. Many have said this lead to them stating answers that they themselves were not satisfied with. I absolutely agree with this point. If you have something that you believe makes you unique, and that shows your courage, do not be afraid to speak out about it. Don't be scared of what other people will think, as there are no right answers. Every struggle has a stronger person on the other side.
I think that this process really is essential for anyone that is choosing a university or college program. I encourage you to think and reflect. Again, regardless of whether or not you advanced or got chosen, I want you to know that you are valuable. Each person, each career, and each answer. Be proud of your story and be proud of your growth.