Writing Scholarship Essays

When you start researching scholarship opportunities, you will quickly find out that many of the scholarship programs for which you qualify involve writing a scholarship worthy essay. Very few programs are based strictly on an application form or transcript. Scholarship committees like essays because they are able to get a better sense of who the applicants really are from reading their original writing than from simply looking at a form or seeing a listing of completed classes and grades.

When you are faced with the challenge of scholarship essay writing, remind yourself that the effort you put into writing your essay represents the chance to sell yourself to the scholarship committee. A winning scholarship essay is one that truly sets a particular applicant apart from the others. If you tell your story clearly and persuasively, you just might find yourself receiving a congratulatory letter from the scholarship committee!

Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays:

• Read the instructions and make sure you understand them before you start writing.
• Think about what you are going to write and organize your thoughts before you start writing.
• Begin the writing process by writing an outline.
• Make sure your outline touches on every aspect required per the instructions.
• Write your essay by elaborating on each of the points in your outline.
• Use clear, concise and simple language throughout the essay.
• State your accomplishments without coming across as if you are bragging.
• Make sure your grammar and spelling are impeccable.
• Read the question again and then read your essay to be certain that the essay addresses every point.
• Have someone with strong writing and editing skills proofread the essay before you submit it.
• It’s better to be too long than too short. You can always edit down the material you find to be least relevant, but it is much more difficult to add to an essay that is too short.
• Talk to teachers, counselors, and admissions officers and have them read your sample scholarship essays. Doing so will allow them to give you feedback about specific questions as well as suggestions about your writing in general.
• Unless there is a very specific prompt [as you will see below], choose a topic that truly interests you. If you are genuinely passionate about something, it will show in your writing

Today and Tomorrow's Assignment:

The following sample scholarship essay examples have been taken from a number of accredited universities from across the country, including Cal State University Northridge, Purdue University, The University of California, and the University of Washington. All of these questions are somewhat common as scholarship essay prompts—the chances are high that you will see at least one of them on your scholarship application.

1. Where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years?
2. How would an education from (name of college you are applying to) enrich your personal life and help you reach your career goals?
3. Describe your cultural background and how it has shaped the person you are.
4. If you know what you intend to major in, discuss what led you to choose this area of study and how you hope to contribute to this field upon graduation from college.
5. What is your favorite novel, movie, song, or work of art? What resonates with you and why has it become an important part of your life?

Write responses [up to a page] for each and use them as a general foundation for your written statements —most scholarship essays will require you to answer one of these three questions in some way.  Save these essay prompts do your ThawSpace and back them up to a USB drive and in your email.  You are building a collection of these kinds of documents to use later in life.

However, do NOT simply copy and paste your responses on multiple applications. Every written statement you submit should be unique—simply use this exercise as a means to better prepare yourself for the application process.