I know scholarships often require essays, but how different is a scholarship essay from a regular college application essay? Any tips for crafting a compelling one? Might need help getting started as applications loom.
While both college admissions and scholarship essays are designed to assess your experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations, they serve different purposes and may require you to emphasize different things.
A college application essay generally speaks to your personal experiences and qualities, demonstrating how they align with the values of the given college and make you a unique potential member of their university community.
On the other hand, a scholarship essay typically targets a specific scholarship provider. It's often themed around the organization or individual offering the scholarship and can require you to discuss how you align with their mission or values, demonstrate need, or explain how you'll use the scholarship to pursue certain goals.
Here are some tips for crafting a compelling scholarship essay:
1. Understand the prompt: Make sure to thoroughly understand what the scholarship provider is asking for, as each scholarship has unique criteria and prompts. Read and reread the instructions and make sure your essay matches up with them.
2. Be authentic: It can be tempting to tell the scholarship provider what you think they want to hear, but real, genuine stories will resonate more with the readers. Moreover, authenticity adds a level of credibility that can make your application stand out.
3. Tailor your essay: Every scholarship is different. For each application develop a fresh essay that directly responds to that prompt and caters to that specific scholarship provider.
4. Show impact: If the prompt asks about your community service, for instance, don't just list what you did. Explain how your actions resulted in tangible benefits in your community. Show the impact you made and the lessons you learned.
5. Proofread: Lastly, proofread your essay! Small errors can distract from your overall message. Reading the essay aloud or having someone else review it can catch the errors you might have missed.
Remember, just like in a college essay, tell a story, use examples, be reflective, and give the scholarship committee a peek into who you are and what you bring to the table. Good luck!
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