| College scholarship essays seem impossible the | | | | rosy picture, but the real you, when you |
| first time you write one. Here you will learn why | | | | overcame, learned an important principle, or |
| scholarships require these essays and pointers on | | | | succeeded in spite of the odds against you. Or |
| how to improve your writing. You'll have more | | | | even a failure that taught you how to be a better |
| vivid examples of how you have overcome, | | | | person. |
| learned, and grown. Let's get started. | | | | Your essays will present a small portion of you |
| Why do I have to write a Scholarship Essay? | | | | and what you have learned during the course of |
| The foundations, committees, universities, some | | | | your life college scholarship essays. The essay |
| grant giving agencies and so on need you to write | | | | provides the scholarship committee reassurance |
| college scholarship essays for three reasons. Once | | | | that you will be a good recipient and utilize the |
| you see the reasons, I think you will feel better | | | | scholarship award to further their purposes and |
| about writing. And you'll find ways to make your | | | | finish your studies to become a contributor to |
| writing better as well: | | | | society. |
| 1. You demonstrate capability. By writing a sample | | | | For example, you usually won't find the beef |
| for to win a scholarship award, you prove you | | | | council giving scholarships to vegetarians, or |
| can write well. Always write the essays yourself, | | | | Wal-Mart handing out money for essays that talk |
| as this keeps the essay unique, shows integrity, | | | | about limiting urban sprawl. Their values and future |
| and avoids plagiarism. Even if you have a | | | | plans don't go with these applicants. |
| company evaluate your writing and offer | | | | After you have written a few scholarship essays, |
| suggestions for improvement of an essay, you | | | | they will become easier. Plan on spending some |
| created the idea and the details in it. This small | | | | time brainstorming. Make sure you stick to the |
| essay example provides a window into your | | | | guidelines in the application, such as for length. |
| academic abilities, and lets the scholarship | | | | Always have some one proofread your article for |
| committee see that you value education and will | | | | mistakes, style, and flow. If possible, your |
| finish the degree or program you plan to attend. | | | | proofreader should be a better writer than you, |
| 2. Your goals match the goals of the scholarship | | | | perhaps an English teacher, teacher assistant, or a |
| giver. Do a little research on the scholarship you | | | | professional writer. |
| want to receive. What does it stand for? Can you | | | | Keep a copy of every essay you write, in case |
| find a mission statement or purpose? Perhaps you | | | | you can use it again. Also, you may be able to |
| can read old press releases or news stories, too. | | | | use a class essay for a scholarship application, or |
| Many groups, especially businesses and | | | | vice versa. When you have a topic assigned on an |
| foundations, give away scholarship money or a | | | | application, you may have to do some research |
| grant to further their own purposes. They want | | | | before you can start writing. Spending a little time |
| to award the money to a person with similar | | | | on this step will help your writing immensely. |
| principles. | | | | Some scholarships only require a personal |
| 3. Your essays speak for you. In any scholarship | | | | statement, others want a full blown essay. In |
| essay, you will provide some detail or experience | | | | either case, reviewers will read your essay and |
| from your own life. Reviewers see you through | | | | either award you money or not, so make it great. |
| these details, and decide if they want you to | | | | For your best chance to win more awards, apply |
| represent their mission. Once you have received | | | | for as many as possible. Don't quit. If you can |
| the scholarship, you can reflect on them for | | | | pass high school English, you can write one of |
| better or worse. Of course, you can see that you | | | | these essays and win some money for college, |
| will want to present the best of your life. Not a | | | | but you have to apply! |