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Get to the Point – and Win Scholarship Judges Over
Be directive in your writing approach.
By Ryan Uricks
March 04, 2009
Aside from any special essays, there are a few subjects that should always be in your scholarship essay.
Your financial situation. You’re asking for money, so be honest of your situation. On the other hand, don’t turn it into a sob story unless it really, truly is a sob story.
Background and accomplishments. The scholarship committee wants to know about you and you should tell them all the good things about you. Perhaps throw in a few flaws to really shake things up.
Your hopes and dreams. What do you plan to do in college and beyond? The committee wants to know they’re investing in someone who put their money to good use and use their education as an opportunity for personal growth.
When you first sit down to write your essay, just write. Don’t second guess yourself just yet; there will be ample time to do so in the editing stage. Right now, you should get every idea or statement down on paper. After you’re finished writing your essay, you’re really only half-way done.
Alyssarof2012
3 months ago
I really like the tip of "when you first sit down to write you essay, just write." I've always been told to brainstorm, rough draft, outline, etc. first. I think I'll try it this way instead. It should make applying for scholarships a lot easier. (Of course I will edit afterwards.)
GradMom7
3 months ago
These are good tips! When students write about what they are truly passionate about, it shines through in their essays and they become more than a name to the judges. M.M., http://how2winscholarships.com
sinorisg
almost 2 years ago
My name is Sinoris Gonzalez. I have lived in Texas for the past 8 years but moved here from Mexico when i was 10. I am a girl who loves children, going to church, taking pictures and spending time with my family. My family is everything to me and the fact that my parents left the life they had in Mexico to come to the U.S so me and my sister could get a better education inspires me to go to college. I love children and that helped me decide on a Masters in intermediate education. But the cost is something my parents can't afford, my mother is unemployed and my father works building trailers for horses. This scholarship would help me pay for my university (which i will be taking in the internet). I want to show my parents that what they did for me and my sister was well worth it. Education is something i love to learn and would love to teach. I feel that my hard work, intelligence, and persistence will help me get to Liberty University.
JustinM978
almost 2 years ago
@anewdawn, you have good drive, but I think it would be better to leave the part about the drinking and drugs out of your essays; it may give the wrong impression.
Mira, si quieres mejorar tu inglés, yo te ayudo, y puedes ayudarme con el español si te apetece.
mi correo: jlm250@pitt.edu
Anewdawn
almost 2 years ago
I am still learning to speak English and I want so bad to get scholarships. I just write spometimes and I do not realize what they are asking.
Anewdawn
almost 2 years ago
Thanks
SirensCall
almost 2 years ago
@anewdawn, this isn't a scholarship your applying for, its an article.
Anewdawn
almost 2 years ago
Hi, My nsme is Miguel A. Morales G. I was born in Nicaragua and moved here when I was 17. I am a very positive and happy person. I like to enjoy life. I have been trying to improved myself in the last 2 and a half year. Then I was a full of problems and troubles but It is been 2 and a half year that I have quit everything that is bad for me, like drinking, I used drugs and smoked but I have put all that behind me to never to be touch. Now I want to go to school and become a better person. Show that I can. I want to get a Master and Doctorate (Ph. D.) too. I will do it. There is nothing I complain about so I just see school and life as something great and worth it to be seen. I am writing a book and have many poems or songs that I have written. I want to be awriter (creatiove weiter). I really want to go to school and improve my life. This scholarship would mean a lot to me because that way I or you will make easier on my father to pay for my education. I have a great instructor that push me to be more than what I am. She is a life to love. I was the student with the highest score of her class. I am going to church very often and I like that I learn in there too. Okay, hopping that you can get me a scholarship I leave you for now. I will be waikting for you.
AbbyJH
almost 2 years ago
I completely agree!
Calia1
about 2 years ago
when i fist started high school my parents told me nothing about these programs nor did my counselor until i was a senior. I have been a busy child, taking care and supporting my family all this time, having no time to study and look for ways to help me get scholarships in order to help me pay for my future expenses.
AngelaS418
over 2 years ago
If I would've know this sooner - like years ago - I wouldn't have bothered with the writing technicality and gone straight to the point, ya know? Ugh! Hope this (above tips/article) really helps.
dyt13
over 2 years ago
This helps out alot Writing essays isnt one of my strong points. Anything will help
KristinaC267
over 2 years ago
fo sho!
tmeadows92
over 2 years ago
I agree 100%
MonicaM368
over 2 years ago
good article!