Writing a Scholarship Essay/Personal Statement
Writing a Scholarship Essay/Personal Statement
You scholarship essay is a very important part of your application. Through your essay the selection committee is able to see you as more than a GPA or major. A well-written essay allows you to single yourself out from the other scholarship applicants.
Steps in Writing the Essay
1. Develop a first draft to use as an outline for your essay. This will help you to organize your essay. Before you write the draft, avoid frustration during the writing process by gathering documents such as transcripts and refer to the scholarship application preview and keep them in front of you for reference. 2.
With some modifications, you can use the headings for the basis for the different paragraphs of the scholarship essay. These include:
Scholarships and awards and leadership roles
School and community involvement with an emphasis on active contributions to any club, association, or civic organization
Skills and special knowledge, special projects, research in your area of study (including teaching and tutoring)
Life and educational experiences that have motivated you or have demonstrated you ability to overcome obstacles and challenges successfully in order to continue your education
Academic and career goals 3. Start with a strong thesis or umbrella statement outlining your goals, and indicating the main categories you will be discussing in your essay. Example: My academic achievements, my work experience, and my community service have all helped me to work toward my goals. 4.
Plan to devote one paragraph to each of these sections and introduce each section with a clear topic sentence indicating which area you plan to discuss.
Example: I have always chosen challenging courses, and have a very good academic record.
Example: I have developed strong leadership skills, and have learned to interact with a wide variety of people while working several different jobs.
Example: I
You scholarship essay is a very important part of your application. Through your essay the selection committee is able to see you as more than a GPA or major. A well-written essay allows you to single yourself out from the other scholarship applicants.
Steps in Writing the Essay
1. Develop a first draft to use as an outline for your essay. This will help you to organize your essay. Before you write the draft, avoid frustration during the writing process by gathering documents such as transcripts and refer to the scholarship application preview and keep them in front of you for reference. 2.
With some modifications, you can use the headings for the basis for the different paragraphs of the scholarship essay. These include:
Scholarships and awards and leadership roles
School and community involvement with an emphasis on active contributions to any club, association, or civic organization
Skills and special knowledge, special projects, research in your area of study (including teaching and tutoring)
Life and educational experiences that have motivated you or have demonstrated you ability to overcome obstacles and challenges successfully in order to continue your education
Academic and career goals 3. Start with a strong thesis or umbrella statement outlining your goals, and indicating the main categories you will be discussing in your essay. Example: My academic achievements, my work experience, and my community service have all helped me to work toward my goals. 4.
Plan to devote one paragraph to each of these sections and introduce each section with a clear topic sentence indicating which area you plan to discuss.
Example: I have always chosen challenging courses, and have a very good academic record.
Example: I have developed strong leadership skills, and have learned to interact with a wide variety of people while working several different jobs.
Example: I