By Unigo
We are very excited to announce the winner of the 2018 Unigo Fifth Month Scholarship. The topic was, “May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important.” Check Laura’s winning entry and scholarship tips.
Winning scholarship entry
Humanity seems to divide itself around the number five. There are five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, five basic senses, and consequently five as a number factors heavily into society. Important numerical amounts almost always are divisible by five; the one, five, ten, twenty, to one hundred dollar bills in the USA, analog clocks center around increments of five, and important landmarks around dates divisible by five. For example, the Spanish holiday Cinco de Mayo revolves around the fifth day of the fifth month, or Christmas taking place on the 25th, a date amounting to five squared. There are several pieces of symbolism around the number five. Five corresponds to the number of points on pentagram, the Heirophant in the Tarot deck, the Fifth house of the Zodiac, home to Leo and the Sun, the Olympic rings symbolizing five continents, and the Investigator Enneagram type. Since five relates to the human digit, any symbolism involving human hands and feet invariably brings in the number five. Perhaps the reason for the number’s cycling throughout popular culture is based on this prominence of fives on the body. With five limbs, including arms, legs and head, and five digits on each hand and finger, the number has always been a part of standard human equipment. Therefore, basing many different themes, traditions and symbols around the number may spring from our anatomy. If you look carefully, you can see the number everywhere.
Top 5 Scholarship tips from our winner
First, play to your strengths. If you feel your skills are in essay-writing, search for essay or short-answer scholarships right away; if you prefer contests, such as baking or picture contests, narrow your search down to those as well.
Secondly, don’t be afraid to search outside of your major. Although scholarships in your major can be exceptionally useful, there are many great offers from groups like Unigo out there as well.
Thirdly, submit your school’s general application scholarships as soon as possible. This gives the school plenty of time to evaluate your financial needs.
Fourth, look for scholarship ideas you’re passionate about. If you find a prompt based on a subject your care for, you’re more likely to write a great essay or short response.
Finally, submit and search as many scholarships as you can. Don’t be discouraged by a few rejections; just use them as a learning experience to change and grow.