8 Steps to a Brilliant Scholarship Essay
October 6, 2020
Admissions Financial AidOne of the best gifts you can give your future self is scholarship money in the bank to put toward your tuition bill. In terms of return on investment, pursuing scholarships is one of the best decisions you can make.
Imagine winning a $3,000 scholarship. How many hours would you need to work a minimum wage job in Oregon to earn the same amount after taxes are accounted for? 250 hours. We aren't saying you should forgo a job in high school. Balancing school, a job, volunteering and extracurriculars is actually a great way to stand out.
But what can make you really stand out is an amazing, captivating, purpose-filled scholarship essay. We're going to show you how to write one that may just help you be selected as a scholarship winner... with far less than 250 hours of effort.
Ready? Let's get started.1.) Time management matters.
2.) Be concise!
3.) Capture your readers with a personal connection right away.
4.) Briefly research the scholarship organization.
5.) Show how your personal experiences are fueling your academic and career pursuits.
6.) Show how your personal experiences have prepared you for success already.
7.) The grand finale matters!
8.) The work isn't over when the writing is done; the editing begins!
As Ernest Hemingway said, "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know." Once you write that sentence, the rest of your scholarship essay will follow. You can do this! Good luck!
Sarah Reid
Sarah has spent a decade at George Fox -- first as a student and now as an administrator. When she's not at work, she's digging in her garden or on an adventure with her family. Must haves include coffee, fresh flowers, and street tacos.
