African exploration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

African exploration - Essay Example The article has got a number of issues discussed regarding the European and East Africans during the age of exploration. This has raised several important points which are of interest and need to be elaborated.The majority of the visitors coming to the African exploration were surprisingly not from the European explorers, in stead, they were the Africans, Arabs and Swahilis in particular. The changes taking place as a result of exploration were tremendous including various structural changes that were evident. All these things were clear and visible during and/or after the exploration by the Arabs and the Europeans. These points individually are explained below.The explorers coming to the east African exploration were composed of European explorers and the east Africans. The formation and the number of explorers were surprisingly strange. The majority of the explorers were east Africans, Arabs and Swahilis in particular. They had a huge adaptability to the culture of the African area . The explorers coming from Europe and other areas also relied on Arabs and other Africans for guidance and routes for help and support.They took detailed accounts of the societies they encountered as they planned to give a complete account of the regions they were traversing. The degree of satisfaction of the obtained knowledge depended upon the individual explorer's perspective and interests and tended to vary fro explorer to explorer.In the second period of exploration under discussion, 1856-70, the number of people with Indian backgrounds rose. In a taken sample, around 54 percent of the people joining in that period were of Indian background. The other segments of people in that period increased. Men with army connections increased as compared to those with naval men. Number of men with missionary activities increased. The number of administrators increased in the period whereas the number of scholars was relatively small. The practical, administrative and functional memberships seem to have become even more marked in that period. The composition of the people and their professions was changing with the changing time periods and particularly in this period. The creation of infrastructure and the relevant setup was to make the enforcement of law and order better. The people who were given to slavery were to be relieved from that and the civilization was to be established there. The east African cohesion was pretty much visible in the traversing of the European and other African voyagers. Besides the justification provided for the discovery and exploration of east Africa, the hidden motives were very much there with the British people. They were not disclosed as the justification was reasonably acceptable. The motives of the east India company and the British explorers were multifold with a focus on reaping the benefits from the east African products and produce. The exploration of course resulted in a direct contact of the British explorers and the Africans. The Arabs were an integral part of the exploration. They were adaptive to the changed culture of east Africa. The Arabs and the Swahilis adjusted themselves to African conditions, culture and the social and political norms in the African region, even when they were in dominating position. There was an implicit alliance between the Arabs and the Europeans. They helped each other in the exploration and Europeans heavily relied on the Arabs for support and guidance in the region. The British government advanced money for the cause of

Prof 2 part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Prof 2 part 2 - Essay Example Theoretically, scientists know how DS came about but not what triggers it although there are so-called risk factors to DS incidences. DS is a condition that needs to be extensively studied not only so that it can be totally eliminated but also to help those born with this genetic defects live the closest to normal existence as possible. The purpose of this paper is to study the causes and effects of Down syndrome including its medical consequences and the accepted appropriate clinical, sociological, nutritional and psychological approaches in dealing with DS victims. In undertaking the study of this paper, the writer used several books, articles and other references to meet its objective, which is to understand the causes of Down syndrome, anticipate its medical consequences and how to best deal with DS patients, clinically, psychologically and socially. The article Down Syndrome culled from the Parenting and Child health website was vital in giving a complete overview of the genetic disorder. It familiarizes the reader, although rather cursorily, with the disorder. This was important so that a complete overview of the topic can be instantly had without having to read longer accounts initially (2008). This was likewise true with the article Birth Defects-Trisomy Disorders which can be found in the Better Health Channel website (2007). To find out the frequency of DS occurrence vis-Ã  -vis birth rates in Australian, a visit to the WD website and a reading of the article Statistics by Country for Down Syndrome proved helpful although the statistics therein presented were products of mere extrapolation (2008). The article Down Syndrome and Genetic Cleansing by Rachel Mealy provided an idea how Australian mothers can anticipate a DS birth and how Australian pregnant women actually deal with knowledge of imminent DS births (Mealy 2002). The book Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-To-Z Reference to

Handling Family Conflicts Healthily

Handling Family Conflicts Healthily A family is composed of unique individuals with different personalities, ideas, opinions, and ways of doing things. Its no wonder disagreements and conflicts arise from time to time, and most psychologists will tell you that they are a normal part of being a family and living together. Arguments and misunderstandings are inevitable in families, but the ways members choose to handle these conflicts can make a huge difference in maintaining a happy relationship with each other. Families who choose to peacefully resolve conflict are likely to grow closer as they learn how to take each others feelings into consideration. Knowing how to better manage family conflict will promote growth and cohesion on the domestic front. The Birth of Conflict in the Family When two or more people with distinct personalities and ideas spend a lot of time together, you can expect some opposing thoughts to arise. This is part of the natural progression of any relationship. Comparing different viewpoints can be helpful for people to learn and grow, but only if they are presented in a non-threatening manner. Problems may arise when individuals get caught up in their egos and forget how to think rationally. If a conflict becomes a winner-takes-all battle, nobody wins. In many cases, family members argue about something other than the real issue at hand, which is a fear of losing control. For example, teenagers take advantage of everyday situations as battlegrounds to affirm their newfound independence. Parents react in horror and panic at the thought of losing control over their once submissive children. The result is the drawing of battle lines where persistent conflicts happen. The same principle applies to other family relationships. The friction between mother and daughter-in-law is usually a fight for control over the son/husband; the struggle for dominance between husband and wife is unconsciously aimed at maintaining the level of control in their marriage; and siblings are always squabbling to control the others. As each of these relationships evolves, the control issues may be resolved peacefully in a way acceptable to the parties concerned. However, when conflicts are unresolved, the relationships may be destroyed. The Damaging Effects of Unresolved Conflict Persistent conflict can strain your lives, not just your relationships. Whether the issue is a minor one or a long-standing major dispute, it can compromise the level of trust, especially if no apologies are given and no other form of resolution is reached. The presence of conflict may spawn resentment in other family members and cause them to take sides. When conflicts are not resolved, the negative feelings may build up under the surface. Even if members appear to have moved on and remain polite to each other, the pain and mistrust may still linger. At times, the effort to resolve conflicts may involve bringing up old hurts, which can backfire when the other party feels attacked anew. On the other hand, avoiding the issue can harbor further resentment and poison feelings. Not surprisingly, chronic unresolved conflict is the leading cause of separation/divorce among couples. It is also associated with emotional insecurity in children. Youngsters with parents in high-conflict marriages are more likely to experience behavioral and academic problems, depression and other psychological issues, rejection, etc. On the other hand, parents who know how to handle conflict the healthy way are more likely to provide their children with good relationships and parental warmth. Reaching Out for Help Sometimes, family conflict can reach the point of affecting the members lives and their everyday functioning. This is a clear signal that some external support and a neutral perspective may be beneficial before the conflict damages the family permanently. It is definitely time to get help when the following warning signs appear in either children or parents: Change in eating habits or sleeping patterns Unexplained tiredness Significant weight loss or gain Anxiousness Irritability Consistent physical pain Alcohol or substance abuse Academic failure Promiscuous behavior depression Although conflict cannot be completely removed from a family, counseling can provide the help needed to resolve conflicts the healthy way. Sometimes it takes a caring stranger with an impartial voice to clear the way for mutual understanding and harmonious relations in your family. Where to Find Help Resolving family conflict can be daunting considering the number of personalities involved. Often an approach called family therapy is needed to address the issues impacting the entire family and offer a solution beneficial to all. It is a treatment option that meets the needs of a family embroiled in conflict. If your family is experiencing extended conflict that is negatively affecting your lives, the logical step is to see a counselor and learn to resolve it in a healthy way. At Carolina Counseling Services in Pittsboro, NC, one of the independently contracted counselors may be the right-fit professional to help you.

AIDS :: AIDS Essays

AIDS HIV and/or AIDS is a life threatening disease that is affecting society today. It is a serious epidemic that is threatening millions of lives around the world. A person can become HIV infected thorough the sharing syringes or through vaginal or anal sex, one does not become infected from the air as some might think. It is infected through the blood. Testing positive for human immunodefiency virus or HIV, means that you carry the antibodies, you can be HIV infected and not have AIDS, AIDS occurs in later stage of infection. A person is infectious through all stages, although studies have shown that a person is most infectious during the early stage of detection and in the final stage of AIDS, during the midcourse of the infection they are less infectious. There are several things that one can do to prevent becoming HIV positive. One items is that you can practice abstinence, or on a more realistic view, one should be monogamous and always use condoms. It has been researched that the use of condoms lowers the risk of becoming HIV infected by 90%. Although this protection is not 100% it is the only way that actually helps prevent you from getting the virus. I think that society should make condoms more accessible to young people, I believe they should have condom machines in girl and guys school bathrooms. I also feel that they should be distributed in school social events such as dances or proms, when it is most likely that they will be having sex. Giving youth condoms is not encouraging sex, in my opinion yet it is educated them that they must protect themselves not only from unwanted pregnancies or venereal disease but from death, and from future spread of this epidemic. Studies shown that 50% of infected people are youths between the ages of 15 to 24 years of age. (Public Health Reports Jul. 1995, v110n4, p462-466. If this is the stage that statistics is showing that are most k]likely to contract the virus than why not do everything possible to help prevent it. Another study that I believe has brought results in the needle exchange program, In which drug users go and exchange their dirty needles for clean ones in order to prevent becoming or getting someone infected. "There are increasing data showing that those who regularly exchange their syringes in such programs benefit by lowering their risk of HIV acquisition". Khoshnood, Haven Public Health Reports Jul 1995, v110n4, p 462-466. I believe that AIDS education should be mandated in al states. As I

Othello Essay

The Jacobean era in which William Shakespeare first wrote Othello, eventually published in 1622, is one which is rightly remembered as being held to strict, dogmatic codes of sexuality and gender-power structures. On the threshold of Queen Elizabeth’s crowning, England under King James continued to be a strictly patriarchal society, with the realms of war and diplomacy being fully impenetrable to women. Considered the primary means to demonstration and execution of power, such venues were perceived to have held sway over all manner of social order. From a cosmetic vantage, it appears through characters such as Brabantio, Othello and Iago that Shakespeare acknowledges a sociological structure which largely keeps women beholden to these powers of men. However, through its intricate weaving of deception which is continually based on a distortion of the realities between men and women, Shakespeare wily toys with conventional wisdom regarding sex and power, dismantling many of the assumptions pertaining to the topic which were processional from the cultural hegemony of his time and place. While the work is constantly given over to opportunistic sleights against the cunning malice of the female heart, the flaws of the male characters are ultimately the cause of tragedy. Shakespeare’s work is marked by a rare propensity for his time, to encourage a reconsideration of the reciprocal relationship inbuilt to the breakdown which occurs between love, lust and loyalty  While men such as Othello and Brabantio characterize power as being in the hands of the wealthy and physically impressive, Desdemona silently and passively illuminates that sexuality is the true power broker. Even before it is the force which weakens his senses, Othello recognizes that all of his fearsome strengths are blunted by his infirmity in the hands of love and lust: â€Å"When light-winged toys Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness My speculative and officed instrument, That my disports corrupt and taint my business, Let housewives makes a skillet of my helm.† (1.3, 263-267) Fittingly, the conclusion magnifies this irony, consistent with the convolution of gender power and responsibility as it persists throughout. Othello recognizes that it is his indiscretion, not Desdemona’s, which has delivered him to incurable suspicion. When he finally succumbs to his misguided jealously, it becomes invariably clear that his physical strengths, those very same which were said to have won him the heart of Desdemona, were not simply made benign by the power of her sexuality. Worse, his powers are turned against him, unleashed from his control and wielded by a fog of lustful rage. In the denouement of the play, Othello is inconsolable of his own guilt. After choking the life out of his innocent wife, Othello is left powerless. In this is the eventual resolution of Shakespeare’s treatise on the falsehood in the power dynamic between men and women. Indeed, the power which is shown to be reflected in the woman is one which contradicts traditional assumptions of 16th century female gender roles. That the women in this play, and Desdemona in particular, ultimately command such power over the judgment of men is quite telling of Shakespeare’s unique perspective. The twisted frustration which marks the conclusion of the play is a strikingly aggressive declaration by the playwright that cultural assumptions regarding the genders are not just too often grossly misunderstood, but consequently also subject to terrible repercussions.

Black Swan Psychology Review Essay

The Black Swan is a psycho thriller film that narrates the demise of a young talented twenty-some year old ballerina named Nina Sayers. The story begins with the main character Nina anticipating her lead role as the Swan Queen in the upcoming new production of Swan Lake. This new version of Swan Lake as presented by the artistic director, Thomas Leroy, tells the story of a virginal girl that is trapped in the body of a White Swan. The White Swan desires to be free but only true love can break her spell. Soon as a handsome prince falls in love with the delicate White Swan and is about to announce his love for her, the White Swan’s lustful twin (the Black Swan) steals the prince away. Devastated, the White Swan kills herself, where in death she finally finds freedom from her curse. Once Nina successfully obtains the role as the Swan Queen, she is to portray both personas of the innocent and fragile White Swan, as well as the destructive and devious Black Swan. As expected Nina could easily capture the essence of the White Swan since they both share very similar personalities. Nina is a well-structured dancer and is always in control of every movement she makes, but her overall timid and fragile character cannot gain the essence of the Black Swan. The Black Swan represents a looser and sensual structure of dance that becomes difficult for Nina to embrace. With such frustration in Nina’s inability to fully grasp both characters in one dance, Nina begins to suffer from delusions, hallucinations, and amongst other irrational behaviors, all of which later contributes to her diagnosis of the borderline personality disorder. Nina’s abnormal behavior becomes more consistent as the date of the show’s premiere approaches. Her disorder develops more as she shows patterns of impulsivity with high levels of instability and anxiety. Borderline personality disorder is known to show a pervasive pattern of unstable self-image that may later lead to an erratic self-destructive behavior. Another symptom that is known to be common with this disorder is having minor to severe episodes of delusions, hallucinations, and/or certain dissociative effects. It is also noted that many people that suffer from borderline personality disorder partake in self-mutilating actions or in more extreme cases much like Nina’s, commit suicide. In the DSM-IV-TR, there are a total of nine criteria for the borderline personality disorder, of which to be characterized with this disorder you must demonstrate five characteristics. Nina Sayers demonstrated 6 criterions and if treated with the behavioral psychotherapy, in time it would have saved her from her ultimate demise. Behavioral therapy focuses on changing observable behavior with the use of learning theory-based principles. Since the development of such learning theories, therapists have been able to control anxiety type behaviors. In the case of Nina, where she is constantly scratching her shoulder under severe stress and partakes in impulsive actions by sleeping with multiple partners, behavioral therapy can model theses pathological behaviors and emphasize learning rather than point fault on herself that may even cause more distress. By decreasing the number of undesirable behaviors that Nina begins to demonstrate throughout the film, a behavioral therapist could use operant conditioning to change future behavior as a function of its previously experienced reinforcement. For the purpose of this case study, I will demonstrate that by using behavioral therapy Nina would have gained control of her impulses and stopped her from harming herself with the use of operant conditioning and even later introduce her onto Dialectical Behavior Therapy. As any therapy session should begin, Nina would first go through a behavioral assessment. Considering Nina’s shy and timid personality, a clinical interview would suit her more efficiently. It is important that Nina should feel that the therapy session is a safe and secure environment where she can talk freely about any concerns especially such deeply personal issues like hallucinations or delusions that come with the territory of those who suffer under borderline personality disorders. This clinical interview should be conducted unstructured in Nina’s case that will strengthen the relationship between the therapist and patient. Remember we want Nina to feel safe and comfortable to freely confine in her therapist of her most personal issues. Another important interview component would be the mental status exam that will try to reveal any signs of symptoms of any psychological problems. An easy observable behavior of Nina would be her low and brief responses to any one she feels inferior to. Nina rarely keeps eye contact to whoever speaks to her directly. She may even reveal delusions, specifically about Lily, another dancer in the film, whom Nina believes is out to steal her role as the Swan Queen. Nina also might share an experience of her night out with Lily where Nina engages in alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promiscuity. All of these observable behaviors may help lead to the overall diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Once diagnosed Nina will then be able to undergo the behavioral therapy process to identify her issues and resolve them through reinforcements. Behavioral therapy revolves around the idea of changing one’s observable behavior that can be controlled through stimulus or reinforcements. Nina portrays many insecurities and a lack of social skills that can be interpreted due to poor modeling by her mother. Her mother is very controlling and aggressive over Nina, which is shown in one specific scene where Nina’s mother is undressing her adult submissive daughter. Another case is where Nina develops a social avoidance towards others, only to have regular social interactions with her mother. With no subsequent positive reinforcement from other people, other than maybe her mother, Nina has become very suspicious of the intentions of those around her, which might explain why she is often alone and has no friends. A treatment approach for Nina would include the operant conditioning. By identifying the undesired behaviors (i. e. , self-mutilating), we wish to decrease in frequency and use negative reinforcement that will allow Nina to avoid an aversive state that would later decrease the likelihood of that undesired behavior. We would first want to identify the cause to her self-mutilation and attribute a particular behavior to carry on the negative reinforcement. So as Nina’s anxiety begins to escalate and begins to profusely scratch her shoulder, Nina should practice certain breathing exercises that will reduce her stress and possibly even decrease her chance of experiencing a hallucination. Self-monitoring would help to ensure that this conditioning technique is being applied and progressing. More importantly, to successfully treat this disorder it is best to use an approach that was developed for these difficult-to-treat patients with the borderline personality disorder. This therapy is known as the dialectical behavior therapy that places much emphasis on the interaction between patient and therapist. Dialectical behavior therapy uses individual therapy, group skills training, telephone contact, and therapist consultation to add more variety within this unconditional relationship. Within this course of therapy, it is organized into stages of hierarchies of targets in each stage. Stage one focuses on suicidal behavior and therapy-interfering behaviors. Nina would reveal her underlying reason for self-mutilation and delusions that interfere with her daily life. She finds herself having hallucinations of harming herself, like peeling the skin off her finger, that later advances to other behaviors such as excessive scratching on the shoulder. The delusions against Lily, the other ballerina, interfere with her ability to perform the second act of the show because she is on constant alert of what she believes Lily is going to try next to sabotage her lead role. She would need to come to terms with her behavior and find ways to eliminate them from acting out. Next, stage two in the dialectical behavior therapy deals with post-traumatic stress disorders. Here we can attribute the abusive stress Nina has to endure with her mother. Since her mother had to give up her own dreams of becoming a star ballerina due to her pregnancy, she now lives her unfinished dreams through Nina’s career. Nina’s mother keeps Nina in a submissive child-like mentality; minimize her freedom with no lock doors and a child-like room despite the fact that Nina is past twenty years of age. Such trauma makes it difficult for Nina to secure an emotional connection with another person, therefore explains why she is alone most of the time. Others easily victimize Nina, for example Thomas the director, often abuses Nina sexually to arouse her to perform the Black Swan character more vividly for the show. In this stage, Nina should learn new mechanisms of which to deal or completely bypass these situations. The last stage focuses on self-esteem and individual treatment goals. Nina will be able to work on her self-image that can lead her to accept herself for who she really is. Nina seems to have a problem with not being able to naturally satisfy her desires without conflicting with her own moral. In the case where she goes out with Lily for the night, Nina is very intrigued with how promiscuous Lily is with other men. Nina shows signs of sexual deprivation that later, on impulse, Nina engages in drug abuse that later leads to sexual interactions with multiple partners. In this stage of therapy, Nina will be able to build up her self-esteem that is constantly brought down by her mother and production director. Nina is shown submissive to both characters throughout the beginning of the film, until she has a complete psychotic meltdown and begins to act on impulse and hallucinations. As unfortunate as Nina’s death was in the end, it’s not hard to notice there were many chances for which intervention would have been great aid before matters had gotten worse. Although it is common that individuals with borderline personality disorder do not consider themselves ill-willed and seldom seek help, if Nina had, she would have been able to decrease her undesired behaviors and had found more appropriate measures of dealing with her problems.

How to Win a McDonalds Scholarship

How to Win a McDonald's Scholarship SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips McDonald's charities offer many different scholarships for college-bound seniors all over the country, all with different awards and eligibility requirements. Because there's so much variability among awards, applying for a McDonald's scholarship can seem daunting. Ultimately, though, it's worth it to apply - since 1985, Ronald McDonald House Charities have given out over $65 million in scholarships. Wouldn't it be great to get a small piece of that? I'll walk you through the different types of scholarship awards that McDonald's offers, in addition to offering tips and strategies to optimize your chances of winning your own award. What Are the McDonald's Scholarships? Scholarships are awarded through chapters of Ronald McDonald's House Charities, or RMHCs. There are currently 322 RMHCs in 57 different counties and regions. A variety different scholarships are available, all with different eligibility requirements. Four particular scholarships are offered through many RMHC chapters - I'll be focusing on these awards for the rest of this article. The following scholarships are need-based awards that are given to honor students' scholastic, community, and work performance. You can only apply to one of the four scholarships listed, so focus on the scholarship that you are most eligible for. For example, if you are a minority scholarship applicant, apply to the appropriate ethnicity-based award if possible. Not all RMHCs will offer all four of the following scholarships.There may be local awards offered or sponsored through your RMHC, however- you can find out more by checking with a local McDonald’s restaurant. RHMC Scholars This scholarship is open to all students. The availability and amount of award depends on your local RHMC chapter. RHMC/HACER (Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources) This scholarship is open to students who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. Applicants must submit a personal statement about their cultural background, career goals, community commitment, and any unique personal circumstances.The availability and amount of award depends on your local RHMC chapter. There are four National RHMC/HACER scholarships available- your local RMHC doesn't need to participate for you to apply for this award. The scholarship is for undergraduate students only; recipients receive $100,000 paid out over 4 years. RMHC/African American Future Achievers This scholarship is open to students who have at least one parent of African American or Black Caribbean heritage.Applicants must submit a personal statement about their cultural background, career goals, community commitment, and any unique personal circumstances.The availability and amount of award depends on your local RHMC chapter. RMHC/ASIA (Asian Students Increasing Achievement) This scholarship is open to students who have at least one parent of Asian-Pacific heritage.Applicants must submit a personal statement about their cultural background, career goals, community commitment, and any unique personal circumstances.The availability and amount of award depends on your local RHMC chapter. Check with your local chapter to see if they offer any other scholarships you may be eligible for. How Do You Know If You're Eligible? In addition to the ethnic eligibility requirements for a few of the above scholarships, there are some blanket eligibility requirements that apply to RMHC awards.In order to qualify, you must: Be a high school senior Be under 21 Have a minimum 2.7 GPA Be eligible to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, university, or technical school with a full course of study Be a legal US resident Live in a participating RMHC's geographic area (with the exception of the National RMHC/HACER scholarships) Submit a complete application and all required documentation by the appropriate deadline. Provide verification of enrollment at an eligible school Demonstrate financial need If you meet all the above requirements, you're on the right track to submitting a successful McDonald's scholarship application. What Information Do You Need to Apply? Keep in mind that deadlines and other application requirements may vary based on your local RMHC. However, you'll most likely be asked to provide the following materials for your scholarship application: High school transcript SAT/ACT scores Resume Personal statement addressing your background, career goals, community commitment, and any unique personal circumstances or characteristics. Your statement should likely be fewer than 1000 words. Letters of recommendation - these should come from teachers or mentors who can speak to your abilities and commitment to education. How Do You Submit an Application? The application window for the 2018-2019 academic year has already closed, but you could get a head start on the 2019-2020 applications if you're a current high school senior.The new application should open in October of 2019; the deadline will likely be in late January of 2020. This page should update with more information about submitting an application once the new scholarship opens in October. Until then, you can get more information by contacting your local RMHC. How Much Can You Win? Like I mentioned earlier in the post, award amounts will generally vary based on (1) scholarship availability in your area, and (2) your local RMHC scholarship budgets. Most participating RMHC chapters award minimum awards of $1,000, and some can award $20,000 or more. Try searching for "[local city] Ronald McDonald's House Charity scholarships" to get information about what award opportunities are available in your area. Want to build the best possible college application and financial aid package? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. When Do You Find Out Whether You've Been Selected? You'll likely receive news of your award between April and June. Scholarship winners will be notified in writing or via email by their local RMHC chapter. How Can You Use McDonald's Scholarship Money? First, you'll only be awarded your scholarship money if you're enrolled as a full-time undergraduate at an accredited school. You have to stay in school continuously during the academic year, unless an interruption is approved by your scholarship sponsor. Checks will be made out directly to your school, although this may vary by RMHC chapter. Funds can be applied to tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Money applied to room board charges may be taxed. Avoid tax charges if you can help it! See if you can apply scholarship funds to tuition and fees before using them to pay for room board. Strategies: How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a McDonald's Scholarship The following tips will help you submit your strongest application for any McDonald's scholarship you choose to apply to. The more time you give yourself to implement these strategies, the more successful you'll be! Research Your Local Ronald McDonald House Charity One of the first things you should do is check on what scholarship opportunities are actually available to you through your local RMHC. Your local RMHC may participate in the scholarships described earlier; if they do, you should be able to get more information about availability, deadlines, scholarship award amounts, and applications by contacting that RMHC. Try Googlingâ€Å"[your local area/city] Ronald McDonald House Charity scholarship† for more information. You can also check on availability for the above scholarships by following the appropriate link on this page. If your local RMHC does not offer the scholarships listed above, they may offer other awards, much like the RMHC of Eastern New England that I mentioned earlier. Because all these local scholarships will have different deadlines, requirements, award amounts, etc., it’s best to research these scholarships as early as possible. Again, the best way to do this is research and/or get in contact with your local RMHC. Choose the People Writing Your Letter(s) of Recommendation Wisely Your letter writer should ideally be a teacher, coach, or mentor that you have a long-standing, positive, personal relationship with. If your letter writer doesn’t provide a strong and well-written letter vouching for your abilities and commitment to education, chances are your application won’t be given much thought. To confirm that you’re selecting the right person as your letter writer, ask them if they feel comfortable writing you a very strong or glowing recommendation. If they’re not comfortable, they should have the opportunity to decline so that you can choose someone who’s better able to vouch for you. Try to give your letter writers 10-12 weeks of advance notice before your application is due. Take Your Personal Statement Seriously You’ll have up to 1,000 words to discuss your education and career goals, as well as individual qualities and strengths. Be concise and clear, and maintain a positive tone. To brainstorm for your personal statement, think about how you would respond to the following questions: What are your academic interests? How did you develop these interests? How does your educational plan align with your academic interests and strengths? How will your educational plan help you to fulfill your long-term career goals? Do you plan on becoming a leader in your field or career? How? How will this McDonald’s scholarship money enable you to pursue your education, and by extension, your long-term goals? If there are any special circumstances or hardships you’ve experienced in your life, make sure to mention them briefly in your personal statement. If they’ve affected your past grades or performance in any way, explain how (don’t make excuses, but be matter-of-fact about how events have affected you). Have a trusted teacher, mentor, advisor, and/or friend edit and proofread your work. Check for spelling, formatting, and grammatical errors before submitting your essay. If You're a Younger High School Student ... Focus on your academic performance. The minimum GPA for scholarship eligibility is 2.7, but you’ll be able to present yourself as a more competitive applicant if you have a higher GPA. If you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, you can increase your chances of receiving this scholarship (and other scholarships) by doing extra credit, seeing teachers for extra help, etc. For the NationalRMHC/HACER scholarship in particular, academic performance seems to be a very important evaluation criterion. Two winners for the 2015-2016 academic year are attending Harvard, one is attending Stanford, and one is attending UPenn. Seek out community service activities. Many scholarships award funds to students who demonstrate an investment in their communities. (e.g. the scholarships for minority students described above). You can demonstrate this commitment by participating in volunteer activities, particularly through your school or church. Some example activities include tutoring underprivileged students, joining a cultural club, or volunteering at a homeless shelter. Think about what aspects of your community are most important to you when considering service activities. Demonstrate how involved you've been in community service by updating your resume to include all relevant activities. If community service has shaped your interests or goals, discuss this influence in your personal statement. What's Next? McDonald's scholarships aren't the only scholarships out there for ambitious high school students. Read more about the Walmart Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship. Looking for other ways to pay your college education? You'll want to check out our guide to the Pell Grant. Did you know that sometimes getting a scholarship is as easy as applying to your school of choice? Check out this list of schools that automatically offer scholarships based on grades and test scores. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: