Tips for Essays

Explain how the scholarship money would contribute to your long term goals. You're asking the scholarship committee to invest in your future. They want to ensure their investment goes to a worthy cause. Explain how your education will play a role in your career and overall goals after graduation.

Focus on the purpose of the scholarship. While writing your essay, keep in mind what the scholarship is for and where it comes from. Tailor your responses to the scholarship so it resonates with the review committee.

Don't be afraid to promote yourself. This may be your only chance to tell the committee about your achievements. Showing your past success will install confidence about your future success.

Use a thesis statement, just like you would with any other essay. You should refer back to the thesis throughout the essay and tie it to the conclusion. If you have trouble creating the thesis at the beginning, write the rest of the essay first. Read through and see what stands out the most, and then write an intro with a cohesive thesis.

When explaining obstacles in your life, focus on how you overcame them. Show that you are a problem solver, able to persevere through any situation. You can mention difficulties from your past, but turn the attention to what you did as a result of them.

Avoid generalizations. Generic statements like "I deserve this because I am a hard worker" aren't enough. Every applicant is a hard worker, has "good grades", etc. What makes you different, special, and memorable? That should be the topic of your scholarship essay.

Support your thesis with examples. Instead of saying, "I am a hard worker," say, "I upheld a 3.75 GPA." This is no longer a generalization, it is an achievement specific to your life and upbringing.

Use positive language. Phrases like "well-prepared, " "qualified candidate," and "specialized training" showcase achievements in a positive light. Even in a negative situation, show the positve way you got through it.

Avoid words like "very" and "really." You can typically find a one-word substitute that sounds more professional/ Very hard turns into difficult. Very good turns into exceptional.

Take a one-day break before you edit.  Once you have a solid draft written, do not jump straight into editing. Wait a day before looking over your essay. This will let you read the essay with fresh eyes so you can catch inconsistencies, grammar mistakes, and more.