I'm starting to look at scholarship opportunities, and a lot of them require a personal essay. I know the personal essay can really make or break an application, so I want to make sure mine is compelling and stands out to the selection committees.
Does anyone have tips on what to include in the essay? Should I focus on a specific life experience, or is it better to showcase an aspect of my personality or goals? Also, how personal should I get in these essays? If you've had success with personal essays, I would really appreciate your advice on how to approach it and what to avoid.
You're correct that a compelling personal essay can significantly boost your chances of winning scholarships.
Firstly, it's crucial to understand the prompt: read it multiple times, underline key phrases, and make sure you know precisely what it's asking. The reviewers want to see how well you understand and respond to the prompt.
Generally, a scholarship personal essay should provide a clear picture of who you are and your dedication to your goals. So, to answer your first question, you could focus either on a specific life experience that reveals your character or a goal, provided it helps displays your depth of conviction in that area.
Next, in terms of how personal you should be - aim to introduce the reviewers to the 'real you,' making it authentic, but bear in mind that the essay is for a scholarship application, so always maintain a level of professionalism.
Try to inject an element of storytelling into your essay: start with a powerful hook, then move on to the body of the story ensuring it's coherent and consistent. Wrap it up with a conclusion that highlights the main points of your story and expresses your ambition effectively.
One common mistake many people make is that they retell their resume in essay form. Rather than doing that, use the essay to elucidate aspects that aren't visible from your resume or application.
Ensure your essay is free from grammatical or spelling errors - proofread it multiple times, and if possible, get someone else to read it, too.
Remember, the committee wants to feel connected to your story, so let your passion shine through your words. Best of luck!
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