How to Write a Good Scholarship Essay

Many scholarship essays require the applicant to answer a question or series of questions in essay form. Usually, these essays come with a word or character limit. For obvious reasons, do not exceed that limit! Essays which break this basic rule will automatically be disqualified

Additionally, scholarship questions often address more than one topic at once - make sure that you carefully read the question over a couple of times. Then, when you write your essay, proofread it to make sure that you satisfactorily answered all parts of the question.

It should go without saying, do your best. A scholarship essay is a sales pitch! You have a few seconds to make a lasting impression on your judges - take that opportunity. They want to be impressed immediately; if they don't see what they like after glancing over your essay, you've already lost the scholarship. Come out bold, and don't be afraid to brag!

Are you the most amazing person in the world? Tell the judges. Have you done something no one else your age has ever done? Tell the judges. The people who award these essay scholarships are looking at a person, not a list of stats. It usually doesn't matter that you are the star of the basketball team, or that you are valedictorian (you can believe me on that one) - those things are helpful, but they don't seal the deal. YOU do. In particular, judges like reading about how you overcame a great obstacle or succeeded in the face of many challenges (literal or abstract).

Remember - you need to show those judges that you are WAY cooler than anyone else who's even THINKING of applying.

By this time, you should have a pretty good idea what a good essay looks like (or should look like, at least). I've said it before and I'll say it again - your essay is a sales pitch. You are trying to make the judge buy into your awesomeness. Think for a moment about how you'd sell someone something.

Your voice? Strong. Your words? Knowledgeable. Your posture? Confident.

Now, can you make your essay feel like that?

Talk confidently about yourself and your achievements. Leave nothing for shame or uncertainty. You ARE awesome. But remember that there is a fine line between bold (which is great) and offensive (which is very, very bad). Don't tell the judge that he MUST acknowledge your achievements; instead, go for something like, "My goals and achievements fit perfectly in line with the type of image your company (insert name) strives (see that word?) to represent."

Can you see the difference? Make them believe you by making them adore you, not by forcing them to acknowledge you.

Now, start racking up the cash, my friends! And always remember - a happy judge means one happy scholarship applicant!
Good luck!