As a junior, I'm starting to look into scholarships, but I'm finding the essay requirements a bit overwhelming with everything else going on in school. Does anyone know of any scholarships out there that don't require an essay? I'd love to apply to those in addition to the essay ones, but focusing on easier applications would be a great way to maximize my chances. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
Hello! While many scholarships do indeed require an essay, there are some out there that do not. You're right in mixture strategy, you shouldn’t neglect the essay ones, but focusing on the non-essay ones can maximize your outcomes. These tend to be less competitive, due to the ease and speed of application.
One scholarship you might consider is the "No Essay" College Scholarship from Niche. This $2,000 award is given out monthly, and all you need to do is create a free account with Niche.
Drawing-oriented scholarships may also play to your strengths if you're good with visuals. Duck Tape holds an annual "Stuck at Prom" competition, where you and your date must create and wear outfits made of Duck Tape. The winning couple receives a $10,000 scholarship each.
Lastly, ScholarshipPoints offers multiple drawings each year from $1,000 to $10,000, all you need to do is create a profile.
Keep in mind that it's still important to write robust essays for other scholarships. The effort you put into those applications will be worth it given the potential reward. Remember, these essay-free scholarships are more like sweepstakes, so your odds might be lower compared to scholarships with effort-based criteria. Best of luck with your scholarship search!
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