According to a report by the Education Data Initiative, over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded annually. The US Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually. The average scholarship for 2-year institutions is worth $6010. However, only 7% of college students are seen to receive a scholarship in a year.
When you make your next step in education and begin applying for colleges and scholarships, you realize that possessing remarkable writing skills is even more crucial to your success than you imagined.
According to a renowned scholarship essay writer on a reputed academic website, the admission committee tends to pay special attention to your scholarship essay as it exhibits your individuality more than any diploma. Hence, they have already seen thousands of essays before and are quite bored to go through something like “I want to become a lawyer as I want to help people” once again.
You may be wondering – How do I make my scholarship essay exclusive and the entire writing process less excruciating? Well, why don’t you try relying on these essential do’s and don’ts we have listed below? Hopefully, they will help you out!
DO’s
- Know Your Audience
A close look at essay samples on eminent academic websites like MyAssignmentHelp.com will help you realize that every scholarship committee is looking for certain students to meet their criteria. Comprehend the true purpose of the organization and its objectives to remarkably respond to the questions at hand.
- Choose to Elaborate on What Makes You Shine
This may seem like an obvious advice; but students tend to become self-deprecating come scholarship essay writing time. They start saying, “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t take part in anything.” Perhaps you are a student who isn’t athletic or didn’t make it onto the student government. While educators tend to push students to become more involved in school activities, it is often the interests outside the boundaries of the school that make every student unique.
Hence, if your passion is music, and you have learnt how to play the guitar by yourself, elaborate on the difficulties of learning an instrument on your own and the ways music shapes your life today. Higher chances are your passion will shine through in your essay. Never be afraid to share what truly captures you.
- Discuss your Future Plans
A majority of scholarship committees want to know how the money they award you will be used. Though you should never incorporate an itemized list of all your pending college expenditures, you should always mention the college you plan on attending and your intended major.
These committees aim to see that you have goals and a proper plan in mind to accomplish them. If you haven’t decided on it yet, feel free to discuss a career of interest or two and address what you have achieved so far to explore your career options.
- Be Specific
While writing your essay, be sure to avoid generalizations and be excessively specific. Back up your statements with concrete examples to illustrate your accomplishments, difficulties, and personal growth. Specific details will make your essay more memorable and exhibit the authenticity of your experiences.
DON’TS
- Avoid Generic Statements
Steer clear of clichés and generic statements that could apply to any student. Ensure to write your essay in a way that becomes a personalized reflection of your experiences, aspirations, and unique qualities. Be specific and refrain from using overly used phrases or ideas.
- Turn it Into a Resume
While you should always choose to speak about activities, interests, and experiences that make you stand apart in the herd, you do not want your paper to turn into a list of all the things you have ever taken part in. Most students fall prey to the idea that their papers should say, ‘Look at all the things I did!’ Rather, your essay should explore some of the things you did and go into more detail about ways those activities, interests, and experiences made a long-lasting impact on your life. Know quality always trumps quantity when it comes to a scholarship application paper.
- Turn Your Paper into a Pity-Party
Remember, there are several scholarships available to students with true financial needs, but that information needs to be filled out in a separate segment of the application. The essay is not the place to say, “I truly need the money”. Scholarship committees know you need the money, and that’s why you’re applying. Also, if you’re addressing obstacles in the past that compelled you to change and grow, ensure you stay away from writing sentences like – “I have been through a lot in my life” or “I really had it rough”. There exist numerous ways to elaborate on how you have overcome obstacles in life without appearing as too negative or needy. Your paper should demonstrate growth.
- Use Negative Language
Maintain a positive tone throughout the paper. Avoid using negative language or dwelling excessively on difficulties without highlighting your growth and resiliency. Make sure to present difficulties as opportunities for learning and personal development.
- Use Unnecessary Repetition
While reinforcing key points is significant, ensure to avoid unnecessary repetition in your paper. Repetitive content can make your essay seem redundant. It can also diminish the impact of your message. Thus, be sure to strive for variety and conciseness in your expression.
- Include Dreary and Boring Conclusions
Most students use the conclusion to simply paraphrase their entire essay…. but do not be afraid to think outside of the box. Do something innovative, intriguing, and surprising. Make your paper attention-grabbing from the very first letter until the last period.
One amazing way to bring your conclusion to the next level is to leave your readers with an interesting question to think about.
Parting Words.
Writing a remarkable scholarship essay demands a thoughtful approach, genuine self-reflection, and meticulous attention to detail. By following the aforementioned do’s and don’ts, you can craft a stellar paper that not only caters to the expectations of the committee but also sets you apart in the crowd as a deserving and compelling applicant.