By September, most students would have completed their trial exams and this is the time university scholarships are due. With research to do, forms to fill out and deadlines to meet, there’s no doubt that applying for a scholarship can be tricky.

What is the Co-op Program?

The Co-op Program is a career development scholarship that develops scholars into professionals, not just graduates at the end of their university degree. The program incorporates industry experience, leadership and professional development, networking, mentoring, financial support, friends and fun!

Which matters more? Academics or extracurricular activities?

Entry into this program is highly competitive and students are selected for their academic skills but also their involvement in the community. Interviewers look for management potential including skills such as leadership, initiative, motivation and communication that are developed in extracurricular activities.

Key Tips

 #1 Think about the question before you begin to type your answer.

Find the questions to the UNSW 2017 Co-op application here.

You only have a short word count - so make sure it conveys exactly what you want it to say. Be familiar with external initiatives involving your selected stream (e.g. Technology, Finance, Engineering etc) before starting university. It's fantastic to talk about in your interview, and it also makes the transition easier as you are somewhat familiar with some basic terminology.

#2 Write up your application early and continue to draft.

Ask a friend, family member or tutor to proofread your resume and application before submission. Use the STAR (Situation, Technique, Action and Result) technique when responding to online or interview questions.

#3 Be sure to reciprocate - shake their hands and smile, share stories, observations and opinions

If you successfully progress to the interview stage you will be invited to attend a Briefing Day and an Interview Day. During the interview, engage them with your story and your motivation behind wanting to be a scholar. Don’t be nervous, the panel interviewers are people, just like you. Converse with them in a ‘friend like’ yet professional manner – share anecdotes and ask about their journey through the industry. This may be a surprise, but they find it a learning experience just much as you do.

#4 Be yourself!

Co-op isn’t looking for a perfect student, but rather, genuine people who are willing to learn, actively involved and truly passionate about their ambitions. Whilst it can be hard to express yourself in a written application or under pressure in an interview, the most important thing you can do is to be yourself. Use your own words and not what somebody else told you to write and speak from your own experiences.

The application may be tedious and long, however it is worth the effort in the end. Moreover, after you've completed the application you'll have a good reflection of your portfolio of skills. Having these readily organised throughout examples from your application will make it easier for you to apply for other extracurricular activities at university and beyond.

Best of luck!

P.S. Feel free to set up some time with our Brain mentors to go through your application before submission!