Tips to Stand Out in the Royal Cup Competition
Former Royal Cup winners and top ten finishers were surveyed to gather tips to stand out at this year’s competition.
From a former winner: “At Royal Cup, what stands out most is authenticity. When a student embraces the areas of strength God has given them and shares their story, this furthers campus community building, which is at the heart of Warner University. Know your values, your motivations, and your goals going into the contest. However, keeping an open mind is important to a place that values learning so highly, so be sure to display resilience and curiosity in your responses. Most of all, enjoy the process and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!”
From a former winner: “Pray, pray, pray! It’s highly important you go in with a spiritual readiness. Be confident and double down on your gifts. God gave you gifts, so use them! Make friends and be willing to help others. If you’re helping others who may be nervous you’ll shift the focus from yourself to serving others, leaving no room for anxiety and bringing joy to the room. Finally, dress to impress! Make sure your outfit fits just right so you know you’re looking and feeling your best!”
From a former winner: “As a part of the Royal Cup scholarship competition, you will be asked to write a reflective essay. This is your chance to stand out and flex your academic muscles! Unfortunately, our culture is showing a declining interest in literacy and persuasive communication, so it is a mark of an excellent student if they are able to produce a high-quality essay. Be sure to use the essay as a chance to let your unique voice be heard.”
From a former top three finisher: “If you want to stand out for Royal Cup, you do not have to be performative or robotic in any way. While Warner University is looking for those who excel academically, they are more so concerned with the state of your heart. They want honesty about your character, and they want to see your desire to grow in Christ. They are looking for someone with a heart for the Lord, not someone who thinks they have everything figured out. That is what this college is for: to grow you from wherever you are!”
From a former top ten finisher: “Be talkative and introduce yourself to people. If you’re an introvert, morph into an extrovert for the day. You’re making a first impression and how you present yourself matters, so dress well and speak well, but don’t be too tense! You aren’t under a microscope of scrutiny where people are looking for what’s wrong with you, you’re on a pedestal for us to see how cool you are!”
From a former top ten finisher: “Be confident and clear in all your answers to interview questions. Be honest about where you are in your faith–we love you where you are. Be punctual!”
Every winner, top ten finisher, and participant has a unique story. Different qualities stand out in students every year. Don’t let an opportunity like Royal Cup pass you by leaving you to wonder, “What if I had just tried?”
