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How to Tell Your Native Story on a College Application

 

 

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How to Tell Your Native Story on a College Application

 

If you are like most students, you’re not exactly looking forward to the high stakes college application process. How do you write the perfect essay? How do you share with application reviewers everything you want them to know about you? Will sharing your Native heritage make your application stand out? Here are some tips for telling your Native story on your college application.

 

Utilize Every Part of the Application

While many would argue that the personal essay is the most important part of the college application, it’s certainly not the only one. Many applications require or allow for short essays, lists of activities, resumes, and options for including creative work. These areas can be incredibly helpful in telling your Native story. While there is only so much you will be able to include in your personal essay, the other sections of the application provide areas to expand upon, or introduce, aspects of what your Native heritage means in your life. Use them to do just that, highlighting experiences, skills, and memories that are unique to you.

 

 

 

ON TOPIC

Abigail Reigner, Comanche Nation

Rochester Institute of Technology

Abigail Reigner, Comanche Nation, is a sophomore at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she studies mechanical engineering. She also serves as the AISES Region 6 Student Representative.

 

With thousands of applications landing at admissions offices, why is it important to make yours personal?

Every college’s admission process is different. It’s daunting to submit your application in a pool of thousands. Writing a personal, heartfelt story can be a breath of fresh air for the person reviewing your application.

 

Why should you tell your Native story on a college application?

Native American students are typically one of the least populous groups among college applicants. It is important not just to tell your story with the goal of getting into college, but also to bring a better awareness to Native struggles, lifestyles, and stories.

 

AISES Career Hub and Opportunities Board have free online job and career resource information.

At the Career Hub job seekers can scan jobs, upload a resume or explore career resources by industry, state or job function. The Opportunities Board is a centralized hub of information with opportunities like scholarships, internships, and more. You can get access to complete, verified, and updated information that can help you grow your skills and expertise. What are you waiting for? Go to or NOW!

Indian Country Counts!
Complete the 2020 Census.

as AISES Senior Director of Marketing Montoya Whiteman, Cheyenne and Arapaho, reminds everyone to complete the 2020 Census. Your response to the Census has a direct impact on resources for Indian Country for the next 10 years. Please visit to complete your 2020 Census today!

PRE-COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES

 

Women are often underrepresented in STEM fields. This guide provides women with resources to successfully pursue an education and career in these industries.

 

Do you work with Native American high school students? Join the American Indian College Fund and ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning for a webinar introducing Native Pathways: A College-Going Guidebook, a culturally relevant guidebook developed to empower Native students seeking higher education.

 

Charter schools believe all students are capable of success, and are committed to helping all students achieve their dreams. They will help you to achieve your goals and continue on to college.

 

A special opportunity for rising 12th grade students to win awards of up to $250,000.

 

The Congressional App Challenge, the official student coding competition of the U.S. House of Representatives, encourages American students to learn to code and inspires them to pursue careers in computer science through a series of competitions.

 

Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities.

 

UNDERGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

Recognizing the unique circumstances and needs of Native American students, many schools, nonprofits, and government agencies have stepped in to help.

 

This in-depth guide gives college students all the resources they need to successfully apply for the FAFSA and fund their college costs.

 

Internships with the White House Initiative for American Indian and Alaska Native Education.

 

Applications for the SULI Program are now open for the 2021 Spring Term. Applications are due October 7, 2020, at 5 p.m. ET.

 

Applications for the CCI Program are now open for the 2021 Spring Term. Applications are due October 7, 2020, at 5 p.m. ET.

 

The Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL) certificate is an exciting new educational opportunity at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver).

 

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is celebrating Women’s History Month by putting out a call for nominations for the 2020 Class of Inductees. If inducted, you or a colleague could join the ranks of world-changing innovators.

 

GRADUATE/POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES

 

The Women in STEM Speaker Series will introduce you to 12 inspiring STEM role models who have established themselves as experts in a variety of fields.

 

Be part of the research about Black and Indigenous Women of Color (BIWOC) in STEM and the influence the character Lt. Uhura of Star Trek may have had on education and career decisions.

 

This program provides funding for American Indian/Alaska Native graduate students conducting scientific research under the supervision of an academic mentor.

 

Check out the list of many internships available for Indigenous people.

 

Programs and resources for prospective and current STEM postdoctoral researchers, including postdoc positions, postdoctoral fellowships, travel awards, and professional development opportunities.

 

We have developed the e-newsletter Honoring Health: Resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives, which features a new health topic in each issue and highlights resources, events, training, and grants and funding opportunities.

 

Students 18 and older interested in wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship are encouraged to apply for paid internships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. ​

 

GO PLACES WITH AISES

 

Deadline extended! Apply by August 31 for a scholarship to attend the all-virtual 2020 National Conference from October 15–17, 2020.

 

Full-Circle Mentoring opportunity for up to 50 AISES college and professional members. Take advantage of this new program and receive the benefits of mentorship in 2020!

 

Check out the latest issue of Winds of Change and learn about . You will also meet some employees who share their experiences as STEM professionals.

 

is *FREE* for pre-college and college students NOW! Join us!

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

Now a virtual event Oct. 15–17, 2020.

Sept 23–25, 2021

Phoenix, Ariz.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

 

Preparing for Science Fair

RESOURCES FOR AISES MEMBERS

 

On your way to college and looking for resources? Be sure to check in with an . They can connect you with the other Native students and help provide information you need to make informed decisions about your education.

 

Other helpful resources include:

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

 

 

 

OUR MISSION: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and other Indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.

 

Paths to Opportunities and Winds of Change are published exclusively by AISES.

 

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