Theta Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Application: Insider Tips for Success

The Theta Foundation team is excited to debut the 2026 Scholarship Application soon! To help you prepare and maybe even get ahead of the competition, I want to share some of our favorite ways to help your submission stand out among the crowd.

As you likely know, Theta Foundation’s scholarship program is quite competitive, so it’s important to “put your best foot forward” by crafting a strong application. Here are our best tips for success!

Insider Tip #1: Choose your reference carefully.

One of the first choices you will need to make during the application process is who to ask to serve as your reference. Theta Foundation’s scholarship application requires one recommendation submitted on your behalf from a trusted mentor or supervisor in an academic, community, professional, and/or Theta-related capacity. We recommend consulting the Scholarship Application Guide to review examples of strong and weak references to ensure you’re on the right track. It doesn’t matter if your reference is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta! We view members and non-members equally when it comes to scoring a reference’s qualifications.

Insider Tip #2: Utilize the activity entries to their fullest extent.

The bulk of the application is résumé-style activity entries, split between the Theta & Panhellenic Service page and the Non-Theta Activities page. You will notice that there are two narrative response boxes at the end of each entry where you will describe the activity’s duties and/or responsibilities and then how you have gone above and beyond those standards. This is your chance to make a great impression with evaluators! Approach the duties and/or responsibilities response as if the person reading your application has no prior knowledge about the activity you are describing (and most often, they do not!). Be descriptive! Then, don’t be afraid to sell yourself in the significant accomplishments response. Tell evaluators how you went above and beyond standard expectations, even if your accomplishments aren’t necessarily official or formal.

Insider Tip #3: Proofread!

Oftentimes, the biggest difference between a good application and a great application is how polished the responses are. As you are completing your application, keep in mind that SmarterSelect does not contain spell-check! Be mindful of this as you type directly into the narrative response fields OR type out your answers in a separate Word document and then paste them into the application. While this is especially true for the personal statement, it also applies to all narrative response fields throughout the application.

Insider Tip #4: Be mindful of the deadline.

Every year, we have applicants who miss the deadline because they are confused about when the application is due in their own time zone. Keep in mind that both the application and required recommendation form are due on the same date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Please see below for the deadlines in other common time zones:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific

We always recommend that you submit your application and that your reference submits the recommendation form as early as possible to avoid any potential last-minute conflicts or issues. Theta Foundation does not accept late application materials for any reason, and applicants with incomplete applications and/or missing recommendation forms will not be considered.

Wishing the best of luck to our 2026 applicants!