The Essay
Often an essay is required when applying to a college or for a specific scholarship. Students should take these essays very seriously. Essays help admissions counselors and scholarship committees make their decision. They can also be a determining factor if a student's academic record is weak in some areas and strong in others.
When writing admissions/scholarships essays, keep in mind:
1. Avoid gimmicks. You want your essay to stand out but not as a stunt.
2. Choose what matters to you. Readers are looking for a glimpse of your personality, but don't get too personal.
3. Be careful using humor. Make sure that if you use humor it's funny and fits the topic.
4. Don't send a blanket essay to every school/scholarship you apply. Be sure you answer the question asked.
5. Write analytically. Let your reader know your thoughts--not just facts.
6. Stick to plain language--don't try to impress with big words.
7. Make sure it is neat.
8. Stick to the requested length. Don't ramble.
9. Be sure you ask several people to proofread your essay. Watch out for spelling and grammar errors.
*Taken from Knight-Ridder Newpapers, Frances Robles, 1993.
Sample College Admissions and Scholarship Essays
1. People find many ways to express their inner world. Some write novels; others paint, perform, or debate; still others design elegant solutions to complex mathematical problems. How do you express your inner world, and how does the world around you respond? (UNC Chapel Hill--2009)
2. What's the best advice you've ever received? What's the best you've ever given? (UNC Chapel Hill--2009)
3. What decisions and experiences in your life have been most influential in your decision to apply to Belmont? (Belmont University--2009)
4. In your own words, tell us why you want to attend The University of NC at Pembroke. Include special academic, athletic, artistic and/or leadership interests. (UNC Pembroke--2009)
5. Write and attach a 500 word essay that discusses your reasons for applying to Claflin University and your future plans. (Claflin Univeristy--2009)
6. Write a 300-500 word personal statement. Possible topics could include: people who have influenced you, a significant experience, hometown activities, personal goals. (American College of the Building Arts--2009)
7. Write a 250 word essay. Possible topics include sharing why you are interested in attending an all women's college, a formative experience in your life or an area of your academic background that requires additional explanation. (Meredith College--2009)
8. Issues of critical importance to your community, the nation and the world are in the news every day. Choose one issue you consider important and tell us why it is important to you. Be sure to describe any action you are taking to address this issue. (Elon--2009)
9. List five books you have read (with authors) that piqued your interest. Discuss an idea from one of these works that influenced you. (Wake Forest--2014)
10. What outrages you? Why? (Wake Forest--2014)
11. Give us your top ten list.
12. Some say that social media is superficial, with no room for expressing deep or complex ideas. We challenge you to defy these skeptics by describing yourself as fully and accurately as possible in the 140-character limit of a tweet. (Wake Forest--2014)
Many colleges use Common App for applying to their school. This site shows typical application essay questions:
https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-announces-2024-2025-common-app-essay-prompts