Scholarship Essay: Format, Examples and Don'ts

Summary

In this video, Jon Pearson, founder of the Scholarship System, emphasizes the critical role of scholarship essays in distinguishing applicants. He outlines key 'don'ts' to avoid, such as excessive emotion, disregarding essay requirements, clichéd topics, filler words, and neglecting proofreading. Pearson suggests focusing on personal growth and perseverance, adhering to guidelines, and seeking professional feedback to craft a compelling and unique essay that can enhance a student's chances of securing financial aid for college.

Takeaways

• 📚 Scholarship essays are crucial for standing out among applicants who meet the criteria.
• 🎓 It's important to ensure essays are strong, well-written, and avoid common mistakes to increase chances of winning.
• 📈 Jon Pearson, founder of the Scholarship System, emphasizes the importance of essays in securing scholarships.
• 📝 The essay provides an opportunity for the scholarship committee to gain deeper insight into the student's life and experiences.
• ✍️ Structuring an essay effectively with a dynamic introduction, detailed body, and memorable conclusion is key.
• 🚫 Avoid getting too emotional; focus on perseverance and determination rather than victimization.
• 📋 Adhere strictly to the essay requirements, including word count, topic, and deadlines.
• 💡 Think outside the box and avoid clichés; strive for unique and compelling narratives.
• 🗣️ Avoid using filler words that do not contribute to the essay's content or message.
• 👀 Ensure the essay is proofread by someone with experience in creative writing to enhance its quality.
• 🔄 With careful crafting, a well-written essay can be reused with minor tweaks for multiple scholarship applications.

Q & A

What is the significance of a scholarship essay in the application process?

A scholarship essay is crucial as it allows the scholarship committee to gain deeper insight into the applicant's life, experiences, character, and future aspirations, which can set them apart from other applicants who meet the basic criteria.

Why is it important for a scholarship essay to be strong and well-written?

A strong and well-written essay can make a student stand out among other applicants who also meet the scholarship criteria. It's an opportunity to showcase their personality, experiences, and goals in a compelling and memorable way.

What are some common mistakes that students make when writing scholarship essays?

Common mistakes include getting too emotional, disregarding the essay requirements, using cliché words, using filler words, and neglecting to have the essay proofread by someone with experience in creative writing.

How can a student's essay demonstrate their worthiness for a scholarship investment?

By providing a personal narrative that illustrates perseverance, determination, and growth from challenges, a student can demonstrate their potential and worthiness for the scholarship investment.

What is the correlation between a scholarship essay and a written paper in school?

Both require a structured format with an attention-grabbing introduction, a body with key points and supporting evidence, and a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Why is it advised not to let the essay become too emotional or sappy?

While personal stories are important, the essay should focus on how the student learned and grew from their experiences rather than dwelling on the emotional aspects, to maintain a tone of resilience and determination.

What are the consequences of disregarding the essay requirements or rules?

Disregarding the requirements can lead to disqualification, as the essay may not be considered if it does not meet the word count, answer the prompt, or is submitted after the deadline.

How can a student avoid using cliché words in their scholarship essay?

By thinking outside the box and choosing unique words or phrases that are less commonly used, and by digging deeper into their personal experiences to create a more distinctive narrative.

Why should students avoid using filler words in their essays?

Filler words can detract from the essay's impact, waste valuable word count, and reduce the space available for more meaningful content and storytelling.

What is the importance of having someone else proofread the scholarship essay?

Having an experienced proofreader can help enhance the essay's creativity, clarity, and overall quality, ensuring that it is free from grammatical errors and effectively communicates the student's story.

How can students find scholarships that require essays?

Students can utilize resources like the free scholarship training provided by the Scholarship System, which offers steps on how to build a legitimate scholarship list.