Making a post because the SDN NHSC thread was my lifeline the past three years and I know how it feels to check for updates!
Today I received a long awaited update that I was accepted for the NSHC Scholarship program for two years of funding (dental). There has been no email yet, but when I log on to the website I saw the change on my application portal that prompted me to sign in on the participant page. The official acceptance letter was on my participant portal (same log in credentials as the applicant portal).
I received my confirmation of interest email on August 27. The acceptance letter says the countersignature was made on September 16th, but I only saw the change on my portal today, September 26th.
I am an in-state applicant in my D3 year at a public school. Like many others stated, I do not think it makes a difference whether you are in-state or out-of-state or public/private. I applied each year I could, first for the 4-year, then the 3-year, and this was my final attempt.
Things I did differently this time:
- check if you qualify as a disadvantaged background and have your school do the formal documentation! While I had used my essay space each year to describe my disadvantages and challenges, this was the first year I learned that I fell into this category ON PAPER. My high school had a high % of students on free/reduced lunch which allowed them to fill that form on my behalf. In previous years I wrote in my essay about how I personally was on free/reduced lunch, but I guess without the formal documentation that did not get me anywhere. I believe this is what made the difference my third year applying. Make sure you have your school check for you!
- I used the "additional supporting documents" to upload my CV and a cover letter. I expressed in my cover letter that I had already applied twice and this would be my third and final attempt. I am not sure if this had any help, but it was recommended to me by another student who had done the same and received the award.
- make sure you are actually responding to the essay prompt. I know this sounds silly but in my first year I think I was so focused on giving them reasons to accept me that I wrote the entire essay about myself instead of the prompt which asked more about the community you impacted.
Essay question: The mission of the National Health Service Corps is to build healthy communities by supporting qualified health care providers dedicated to working in areas of the United States with limited access to care. With this mission, we know that patients often need health care providers to better understand them as a whole person. This is particularly important among underserved populations receiving care. Please describe an experience in which you have contributed to the well-being of an underserved community and the impact/result of your contribution.
In at least one concluding sentence I directly answered the question using their own words.
Ex: The impact/result of my contribution was that ___ person/community with limited access to care had their needs addressed as a whole person.
- I worked with my recommenders this time and told them what I wanted them to include in my LOR. With only one essay prompt, you want to make sure you use every opportunity to share more quality information about you and that your two letters are showing different angles of your story. Big jump here-- I had the dean of my school write my letter. I was getting really desperate and wanted the best chance possible!
All of this is to say, if you are truly passionate about public service, please don't give up hope! It took me three attempts to get this scholarship, and I felt discouraged several times along the way, not understanding what I was doing wrong. I hope this helps someone with a true heart for service gain an opportunity to help others.
Good luck!
