Scholarship applicants are likely to have similarly impressive academic profiles, so a written essay can often make or break an application. Following these do’s and don’t’s can produce prose that will push your student to the head of the pack.
Do
- Start off with a bang. The scholarship reviewing committee has read thousands of essays. They can spot a boring essay before the end of the first paragraph. Catch their attention immediately and never let it go.
- Limit sentences that begin with “I.”
- Use clear language supported by concrete examples and detail instead of dull generalities. If you’ve worked at a soup kitchen, how many meals did you serve? Did you cook, clean up, recruit other students? Add color by profiling a person you met who made a lasting impression on you.
- Read your work out loud, listening for stiff, stilted language and lack of clarity.
- Read the essay to someone whose opinion you value—and who will not be afraid to offer constructive criticism.
- Edit, edit, edit! Spell check and proofread, but do not rely exclusively on a spell-checking computer program. These programs are not always correct.
Don’t
- Ignore the rules of the competition. For instance, don’t go over or dramatically under a suggested word count.
- Use gimmicks such as poetry or musical accompaniment unless the competition specifically encourages an offbeat approach.
- Repeat information like grades or test scores, which can be found elsewhere on your application.
- Pick a topic that will alienate members of the committee, such as religion or politics. If you use something controversial, be sure to include counter arguments.
Ask yourself:
If I were reading this essay, would I remember it later? Would I admire and want to meet the person who wrote it?
This is the effect you want to have on the reviewing committee.