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Are There Scholarships for Left-Handed People? Answering Common Scholarship Myths

2026-10-26 00:00:00

It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that there are scholarships for people of all backgrounds – including left-handed people. Along with general merit- or need-based scholarships, there are a surprising number of niche scholarships for people with specific qualifications. If you have never applied for a scholarship before, you should know the common myths that can hold you back from success.

At My College Companion, we are here to help students navigate their journey through university with guides and answers to frequently asked questions. You may be surprised at the different scholarships you qualify for, even if you don’t think you fit the right criteria.

Myth or Fact – Are There Really Scholarships for Left-Handed People?

Scholarships for left-handed students are real, so this one is a fact. One well-known example is the Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship, offered at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The catch is that the award is only available to students who attend Juniata, so it is not something most people can apply for from anywhere.

Does Withdrawing From a Class Affect GPA?

2026-09-28 00:00:00

There are plenty of reasons that students choose to withdraw from a course during the semester. Some students back out when they realize the course load is more than they planned for in their schedule. In other cases, the decision to withdraw might have more to do with external factors than the class itself.

Whatever your reason for withdrawing from a course, you may have concerns about how it will affect your grades. If you’re worried about taking a hit to your GPA, you can take comfort knowing that a withdrawal doesn’t usually affect your weighted average. However, there could be other consequences of dropping a course that you should know about. My College Companion is here to keep you informed and help you make smart decisions while you work toward your degree.

What Is a "W" Grade?

A "W" grade is a notation on your college transcript showing that you withdrew from a course after the add/drop period ended. It is not a letter grade, and it does not count toward your grade point average (GPA). Think of it as a record that you enrolled in the class and chose to leave before the semester wrapped up.

Five Genuinely Useful Study Gadgets for University Students

2026-09-15 00:00:00

Tests are a regular part of university, and a good portion of your grade in a given course might come from exams, whether you are studying humanities, STEM, or another major. That said, actually finding the time to study can be difficult. Many students have to juggle multiple courses and other obligations like work. However, even if you can only study in short intervals, there are some useful tools that you can use to help you stay productive.

At My College Companion, we provide resources to college students from all backgrounds. Above all else, we want to see students succeed, which includes looking for ways to make the most of study sessions.

Five Useful Study Gadgets for College Students in 2026

Studying smarter usually beats studying longer, and the right gadgets can help you stay focused or take notes more efficiently. Consider using some of these devices before committing to a lengthy study session:

When Should You Change Your College Major?

2026-08-27 00:00:00

Choosing a college major can feel like a huge decision. After all, your major affects which classes you take and has a major influence on your career after graduation.

Yet many people are very young when they go to college, and are understandably nervous about choosing a study or career path that they may not be 100 percent certain about. Fortunately, choosing a major does not mean you are stuck with it forever.

If you are starting college in 2026, it is okay if you are not completely sure about your major yet. It is also okay to change your mind.. My College Companion is here to help make sense of when to change your major and what you should think about before you do.

Is It Normal to Change Your College Major?

High school students often choose a major before they take a single college-level class in that subject. You might think you want to study biology, psychology, business, or engineering based on your high school classes or what you imagine a career will be like.

How Hard Are College Classes?

2026-08-10 00:00:00

Making the leap from high school to college comes with a lot of new and exciting challenges, and that includes the types of classes you might end up taking. While college classes are usually harder than high school classes, they are not impossible. You'll have more work and responsibility, but the good news is that most students adjust after their first semester. With good study habits and the right support, you can succeed in college.

Starting college is a big step, and it's normal to wonder what to expect. At My College Companion, we want to help you feel prepared before your first day of class. Whether you're choosing a school, looking for scholarships, or getting ready for college life, we're here to help.

Do College Classes Feel Different From High School?

Many students think college classes are harder because the work itself is more difficult. While some classes are more challenging, the biggest difference is the amount of responsibility you have.

Going to College After Being Convicted of a Crime

2026-07-28 00:00:00

A criminal conviction can affect your educational path, but it does not mean college is no longer possible. Many people attend college after a conviction. They complete degrees and build successful careers.

If you have a criminal record, you may have extra questions to answer and a few more barriers to manage before you get your higher education. But remember that a conviction is only one part of your past. It does not have to control your future.

At My College Companion, we want every student to succeed, no matter what their background looks like. We help students of all kinds find scholarships, including scholarships for students or family members with criminal records. Find out how we can help you by contacting us today.

Do I Need to Major in Something Specific to Win a Scholarship?

2026-07-10 00:00:00

Finding and filling out scholarship applications can feel like wandering through a maze, especially when you are still deciding what you want to study. Many students hold off on applying for scholarships because they assume every award is tied to a specific major, and they do not want to commit to something before they know they are ready to spend four years learning about it.

The good news is that you do not need to declare a specific major to win most scholarships. Plenty of awards are based on things like:

Your community involvement
Your background
Your writing skills
Your overall academic record

Knowing this, you can find a lot more opportunities than you might expect as you plan your applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year. My College Companion has information about scholarships for all kinds of students and majors because we want you to have the best educational experience possible.

Common College Essay Questions and How to Answer Them

2026-06-24 00:00:00

The college essay is one of the few parts of your application where you get to speak directly to the admissions office. Your GPA and test scores tell them what kind of student you are. The essay tells them who you are.

Most colleges use one of a handful of standard essay prompts. Once you know what they are really asking, you can put your energy into writing a great answer instead.

At My College Companion, we want to see you get into the college of your dreams. Check out My College Companion’s blog for more useful advice about applying to colleges and universities. Then, be sure to visit our scholarship page for useful information about finding and applying for scholarships.

The Common App Personal Statement

The Common App is used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. It includes seven essay prompts you can choose from, and your response should be between 250 and 650 words. Different universities and applications have different length requirements, so be sure you check that carefully.

How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?

2026-06-12 00:00:00

It’s tough to know how many colleges and universities you should apply to. You don’t want to do too few, but there’s a limit to how many are genuinely useful. Why? Well, for one, it usually costs money to submit each application, and a good application takes a lot of time. If you’re planning to pay for school using scholarships, each school has their own scholarships, and those take time to apply for as well.

There is no universal right answer for how many schools to apply to, but most college counselors suggest applying to somewhere between 8 and 12 schools. That range gives you enough options to be accepted somewhere you are genuinely excited about, without burying yourself in application fees, essays, and deadlines you can’t manage.

Before you start applying to schools, My College Companion can help you develop a strategy for choosing which schools you’ll apply to and why. And when you’re ready, we can help you find scholarships, too.

College Application Roadmap: What You Need to Do and When You Need to Do It

2026-05-27 00:00:00

Applying to college can feel overwhelming. There are applications, essays, recommendation letters, financial aid forms, scholarships, campus visits, and deadlines. With so much to do and keep track of, where do you start? What can you do when it feels like they all need to be handled at the same time?

At My College Companion, we have good news: Applying for college becomes much easier when you break it into steps and start early. Students who get organized and plan ahead are much less likely to miss opportunities or scramble at the last minute. If you are planning to apply to college soon, here is a basic roadmap for what you should be doing and when you should do it.

Junior Year of High School: Start Checking Out Colleges

A lot of students wait until senior year to think seriously about college. But your junior year is actually the best time to start researching schools and figuring out what you actually want from college.