Guide to Preparing Your Application

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Congratulations! We are SO excited you are applying for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing! 

The purpose of this document is to provide you with tips for the content included in the application. For help on how to use the application in the portal, take a look at the Application Step-by-Step Guide. 

Here a full PDF of the application to provide a detailed overview of the information you will be asked to provide in the application.

You can always ask us any questions you have about the application process or the application questions themselves. We are happy to help!

• email us: [email protected]

 Considering applying for the Award for Aspirations in Computing but are unsure if it's for you? Find out why YOU should apply!

Things to know and information to have handy when completing your application:

Your Profile

• To apply, you will need to first create a user profile on aspirations.org
• If possible, register your account with a personal email address that you regularly check
  
  • School emails tend to filter application and award updates as SPAM and we do not recommend using a school email address
  • Make sure to add aspirations.org to your email contacts
• You will need to list your home address, phone number, and zip code​

• You will also need to create a memorable password for your account
  • You will need to know whether you have immediate family members who are on Staff or a Board member of NCWIT - which disqualifies you :(

  • Staff and board members are on the NCWIT website

• The user profile will allow you to:
  • Login and edit your application (including saving and coming back later)
  • Check the status of the application and your required parent approval and educator endorsement
    

• You will need to enter the name and email address of your parent/guardian
  • This must be different from the email that you list for yourself, and should be one that is checked regularly
  • You should inform your parent or guardian that you are applying for this award
  • They will receive an email with instructions to approve your application and participation in AiC
• You will need to enter your school’s name and county
• You will need to enter the first and last name, and email address of a person who can "endorse" your application
  • This can be a Teacher, Counselor, Principal or other school official or a robotics Coach or similar non-school adult - that knows you and your work and accomplishments in computing
  • The person you list should be made aware that you are using them as a reference
  • It is also usually best to first ask their permission to use them as a reference.
  • They will receive an email with instructions to view and endorse your application after you submit your application.

Preparing Your Application

The application is divided into 7 sections. You will need to complete all 7 sections before you can submit your application for the award.

1. Personal Information

• This section asks for your name and address

2. Experience with Technology

• This section has one written response question (required 25-250 words, recommended 100-250 words) about your experience with technology. You may respond in essay format or in bullet-point format.
• Read through the question before beginning
• The question is:
  • ​Describe your journey of working with technology, including how you became interested and the experiences you have had since then. Be sure to provide specific details on your technology skills and activities
    
  • Optional: If you have examples demonstrating your efforts and experience that you would like to share with us - such as a personal website, portfolio of Tech work, or video demonstration - please provide link(s) to the content. (URLs only; no uploads permitted)

3. Future Plans

• This section asks about your plans or ideas for after high school.
• It is divided into two written response questions:
  • ​Describe how technology may play a central role as you imagine your future (including education, hobbies, career).
    
  • ​Explain how you could use technology to solve a real-world problem you are passionate about (this could be a social problem, a technical problem, a local problem, a world problem, etc.).
    

4. Activities

• This section asks you to rate your level of involvement (none, some participation, or a lot of participation) in a list of Curricular, Co-curricular and Extracurricular activities
• The list includes items such as computing/technology classes, clubs, or other extra-curricular programs or activities such as Girl Scouts, 4H, Big Brothers Big Sisters, etc.

5. Access to Computing/Technology

• This section asks about your access to technology and computing at home and school

6. Additional Information

• Whether you have English as your first language and what your parents' highest level of education is

7. Terms Privacy & Policy

• This section asks you to review and acknowledge the terms & conditions for the NCWIT Aspirations award

Additional Tips for Preparing Your Application

• Draft your written response questions outside of the application portal (i.e. in Word, Notes, or a Google Doc) just in case you run into technical issues submitting your application--this way your work will be saved elsewhere should you need to re-submit
• Don’t struggle; ask for help
  
• Reach out to a teacher, friend, parent, or us here at NCWIT for any questions or guidance on the application process
• Use specific examples to illustrate your experience/points you are writing about
• Proofread your work
• You have the option to save your work and complete your application later if you are not ready or need more time to submit (before the deadline)
• Successful writers always ask for proofreading help--ask someone to proofread your written response answers to check for spelling, grammar, or other typos that will distract reviewers from understanding your story