This document provides guidance on writing effective scholarship essays. It discusses brainstorming about one's personality, values, strengths and preferences to identify compelling topics. When drafting the essay, it should tell a story to support the thesis and explain how demonstrated traits will benefit one's future. The essay must distinguish the applicant from others and avoid cliches. It advises developing an outline and using quotes judiciously. The document also recommends workshopping drafts, editing for perfection, and meeting any requirements for submission.

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Personality
Values
Strengths
Preferences
How you think
Explanations for underachievement
Overcoming adversity

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The “you” question
• Tell us about yourself.
The “why us” question
• Why is our school the right place
for you?
The “creative” question
• Tell us about a person who has
influenced you for good.

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Think of powerful words that describe you!
Determined
Creative
Curious
Resilient
Compassionate
Pro-active
Passionate
Engaged
Ambitious
Intuitive

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 Prove it
• Develop a single point with
vivid and specific facts,
events, and examples.
• It’s not enough to say that
you are creative. Tell a good
story of you being creative.
 Be specific
• Avoid cliché, generic or
predictable writing.
• Use details – show don’t tell.
 Don’t just write what you think
they want to read.
 Don’t write a resume.
 Don’t waste words telling what
your transcript shows.
 Don’t use 50 words when 5
words will do.
 Don’t forget to proofread.

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Workshop Brainstorming: too important to skip!
• Spend some time thinking about who you are and what makes
you special.
 Set a timer for 10-15 minutes then spend this time making a
list of your personality strengths and weaknesses. (This is not
a list of activities and awards.
 Create a self-outline: next to each trait list 3-5 examples of
what you have done in your life that will prove this point.
 Find patterns and connections: group similar ideas and
events together.

10. Scholarship
Essay
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Workshop Drafting: this is the first attempt so don’t expect perfection.
• Introduction – Include a concise thesis statement. “I am known
for my ___.”
• Body – Tell a story that supports the thesis.
• Conclusion – Explain the significance of your evidence. How will
this trait help you in the future?
 Revising: this is where writing becomes good, or even great.
• Share your draft with others to get their feedback.
• Work on the ideas and details, save the grammar for later.
 Editing: the final polish on the essay.
• Anything less than perfection is unacceptable for a college essay.

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Talk into a recorder or use a dictation software
program or app.
It may help get your ideas flowing
Pull out the best ideas to write down
Make an outline of the question, then fill it in.

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Put it in your own words.
Avoid clichés and tired phrases.
Establish a personal connection.
Say something new.
(Scholarships.com blog)

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(Scholarships.com blog)
Leading with a quote shows the
reviewer that you know how to
read, but it doesn’t tell much else
about you or your ideas. Use your
own words to begin, and if a quote
supports or enhances your
argument, consider bringing it in
later in the essay.

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(Scholarships.com blog)
One of your essay’s goals should be to distinguish you from
the competition, and it won’t do this if it rehashes the
same overused expressions that everyone else employs.
Keep in mind that the scholarship reviewer will be reading
hundreds or even thousands of applications. What seems
clever or cute the first time doesn’t seem that way after the
50th iteration. A good rule to follow is that if a phrase
belongs on a bumper sticker or in an email from your mom,
it likely does not belong in your scholarship essay.

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(Scholarships.com blog)
If your experience gives you a unique perspective on the
essay’s topic, show your reader this. Most people are
suckers for personal anecdotes, provided the stories are
interesting and well-told. Make sure the story you tell
enriches your essay and contributes to your overall
message. Don’t get melodramatic and don’t bog down your
intro in an overly long, detailed or irrelevant
narrative, but if you’ve got a good story to
tell to frame your essay, use it!

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(Scholarships.com blog)
There’s no better way to stand out
from a pile of fairly standard essay
responses than to have something
fresh and thought-provoking to
contribute with your scholarship
application. Consider opening your
essay with your thesis statement.

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Never exceed the word count.
Make sure it looks professional.
Have several people with strong
writing and editing skills review it.
Make sure it’s on time!

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