PrepStep Navigator Handout
The PrepStep Navigator
Mastering the SAT, ACT, & Scholarship Hunt
Name: ___________________________________
Date: ___________________
Today's Active Learning Toolbox
1. Stop & Jot
2. Sentence Stems
3. Annotate
4. Think-Pair-Share
5. Questioning
Part 1: The College Prep Center
Log into EBSCO PrepStep and navigate to the College Prep Center. Find a practice test or tutorial for your target test (SAT or ACT).
Strategy 1: Stop & Jot
Identify your "Problem Area"
Browse the sub-sections (e.g., Reading, Math, Writing). After looking at the topics, stop and jot down three specific sub-skills you know you need to improve.
Strategy 2: Sentence Stems
Commit to a Plan
Complete the following statements based on your exploration of the PrepStep resources.
Based on the PrepStep diagnostic tool, I realized that ____________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
One resource in PrepStep I will use to prepare is ________________________________________________________________________ because ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Part 2: The Scholarship Finder
Locate the Scholarship Finder tool within PrepStep. Use the filters to find a scholarship that matches your background or interests.
Strategy 3: Annotate
Find a scholarship prompt. In the space below, rewrite it and circle the action verbs and underline the target audience requirements.
Strategy 5: Questioning
Critically evaluate the scholarship you found. Is it worth your time?
How many students win this annually?
Does my specific profile truly match?
What is the "ROI" (Reward vs. Effort)?
Strategy 4: Think-Pair-Share
The Elevator Pitch
Turn to your neighbor. Describe the scholarship you found and why you are a top candidate for it. Record one piece of feedback they gave you below.
Scholarship Essay Rubric
Essay Excellence
Scholarship Application Evaluation Rubric
TOTAL SCORE: _____ / 20
Instructions: Use this rubric to peer-review or self-assess your scholarship essay. High-scoring essays demonstrate a unique voice, directly address the prompt, and provide concrete evidence of impact or character.
| Criteria | Exemplary (5) | Proficient (3-4) | Developing (1-2) |
|---|
| Hook & Personal Voice | Starts with a compelling story or insight. Voice is unique and memorable. | Clear introduction. Shows personality, but may rely on some clichés. | Generic opening. Voice is formal but lacks personal "spark" or depth. |
| Connection to Prompt | Explicitly addresses all parts of the prompt with depth and nuance. | Addresses the prompt clearly. Some parts may be more developed than others. | Loosely related to prompt. Fails to address specific requirements or keywords. |
| Impact & Evidence | Uses specific, vivid examples to prove claims (Show, Don't Tell). | Includes examples of activities or achievements. Mostly descriptive. | Lists achievements without explaining significance or personal growth. |
| Structure & Mechanics | Seamless transitions. Zero errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. | Logical flow. 1-2 minor errors that do not distract the reader. | Hard to follow transitions. Multiple errors impact readability. |
Glows (Strengths)
Grows (Areas to Improve)
Pro-Tip for Juniors:
Don't just list your resume. Use the essay to tell the story behind the resume. Why did you join that club? What did you learn from that failure?
Scholarship Strategy Anchor Chart Final
Scholarship
Goldmine
Strategic Search Framework for Juniors
1. Leverage PrepStep Filters
Filter by academic interest, extracurriculars, and location. Specific filters reduce competition significantly.
2. Go Local First
National awards have thousands of applicants. Local community grants often have less than 20. Check local foundations and businesses.
3. Find Your Niche
Look for awards for heritage, specific hobbies, or unique traits. Use these as keywords in the Scholarship Finder.
4. Stay Organized
Track Deadline, Amount, Prompt, and Status. A missed deadline is a missed opportunity. Treat it like a scheduled class.
5. Recycle Your Essays
Write one high-quality base essay on leadership or adversity. Tweak it slightly to fit different application prompts.
The Librarian's Secret
"Treat scholarship hunting like a part-time job. Two hours a week could earn you $10,000—that's a $5,000 hourly wage!"
