How to write a scholarship essay
It’s something students probably dread for most of their academic lives: the college scholarship essay. Over the years, school officials have developed a notion that students are losing their edge at writing. As a result, scholarship essays have found their way into application kits around the country—even for highly technical programs such as architecture or engineering.
But let’s face it, not all of us have that flair for writing. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be Shakespeare to write a winning scholarship essay. The bad: you can’t just hack it either. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get a head start.
Brainstorming
The first thing you want to do is figure out what you want to say. Some scholarship essays have a prescribed subject matter, while others give you free reign over your topic. Most of them, however, will ask you to talk about yourself and/or defend your choice of program. Often, this involves digging into your personal history and recalling important events that have shaped you as a person. But that’s not exactly original. Here are some good alternatives:
Extracurricular activities. Extra-curriculars are a great way to showcase your priorities. What you do outside the classroom tells a great deal about you not only as a student, but as a person. Whether you’re into charity, the math club, or a local dance group, you’re sure to find material for a good personal story.
Major accomplishments. Maybe you won the state science fair, got a bunch of writing awards, or singlehandedly saved the local turtle population. These accomplishments are a good way to bring up your strengths. The point is not to show off your winnings, but to let them know you’re scholarship material.
Role models. Think of people who have influenced you or played a crucial role in your decision. It can be your favorite author or politician, or someone ordinary such as your mother. A quick tip: avoid “overused” characters such as national heroes and famous rags-to-riches stories.
Writing your outline
Once you’ve got all your ideas down, it’s time to give a structure to your essay. Outlining may seem a superfluous task, but it’ll save you at least a couple hours of editing. Start with a generic format (intro, body, conclusion), then fill in each section with your key points. As you go along, you may come up with more ideas—just go ahead and write them in. Arrange your outline so that each section has a key point and a number of supporting statements.
It’s important that each section flows smoothly into the next. Avoid “jumping” between topics by keeping correlated sections together. If you talk about your stint as class president, your next paragraph might start with taking leadership to a higher level by pursuing politics. Keep these transitions in mind as you move your ideas around.
Writing your essay
A good scholarship essay should prove two things: first, that you’ve got the skills they’re looking for, and second, that there’s more to you than a GPA and SAT scores. Unfortunately, there’s no formula for good persuasive writing—it is your voice that should speak to the reader. These tips may be worth keeping in mind:
Don’t procrastinate. It’s just a couple of pages, but you should expect to spend days—or even weeks—writing and perfecting your essay. Good scholarship essays just don’t happen over lunch. If you’re used to cramming, now may be a good time to kick the habit.
Write a strong intro. Spend the bulk of your time perfecting your introduction. Scholarship panels typically spend one to two minutes reading each essay, but they often make their decisions after the first few lines. Use strong words, create some intrigue, and pack in enough punch to make them want to read on.
Stay on topic. All your sentences should contribute to answering the question: why do you deserve this scholarship? You can write like the incarnation of Hemingway, but if you don’t answer the question, you’re not getting that spot.
Write creatively. Instead of telling things as they are, put a twist to your narrative. “I worked for hours on my science project” lacks impact compared to something like “My winning piece was the result of countless sleepless nights, late hours in the library, and an unwavering drive to prove myself.”
Avoid big words. Polysyllables don’t make up good writing. As much as possible, keep your essay light and readable. College officials go through dozens of them every day, and the last thing they want is a lengthy piece that reads like a user manual.
Don’t summarize. Many students turn their conclusions into summaries. That only works for your English class—you’re writing on an entirely different level. Instead, talk about the implications of what you said, put it in a broader context, or link back to your introduction to create a sense of unity.
Editing, rewriting, and formatting
Even the best writers seldom get it on the first try. After writing your draft, leave it for a couple of days and come back to it with a fresh perspective. Usually, this is where you’ll find most of your errors—grammatical lapses, typos, redundant words. Look for words that seem weak or empty and replace them with stronger alternatives. “Dynamic” and “worthwhile” are overused and don’t say much; try replacing them with more specific descriptions.
Finally, pay attention to your formatting. Most schools have strict requirements on fonts and margins, so make sure to follow the rules. If there are none, just try to keep it formal and easy on the eyes. Remember, it’s all about making an impression—the last thing you want is a minor detail ruining an otherwise brilliant essay.
