Writing Essays: HELPFUL TIPS
Essays are your opportunity to let your personality shine through and find a way to stand out from the crowd. Write in your voice, not what you think the admissions staff or the scholarship review panel wants to hear. Follow these suggestions for a strong essay:
SCHOLARSHIPS 101
There are national, regional and local scholarships. Most colleges have their own list that you can apply for once you have been admitted (check to see if the FAFSA is a requirement for consideration). Check foundations, religious organization, clubs, community and civic groups, 4-H and businesses. The key to getting scholarships is to start early, search, apply often, meet deadlines and stay organized.
What are the steps?
1) Fill out the Common Application for Local Scholarships (available in the end of December, due the end of February) and apply for as many scholarships as you can.
2) Search online for scholarships, at sites like finaid.org, college-scholarships.org and the guidance counselor's site. Use Google-- for example search "Women in Science Scholarship."
3) Talk to the colleges. They often have lists of scholarships that you can apply for.
How do I win a scholarship?
It helps if you do well academically throughout high school, take leadership roles in extracurricular activities, do well on the SAT and do at least 100 hours of community service. Other tips:
-Only apply if you are eligible.
-Complete the application neatly, accurately, in full and on time.
-Make an impression with your essay. Ask a teacher to read it over.
-Contact the agency or foundation that is offering the scholarship if you do not understand the application.
-Make copies of everything you send so that you have a record and can use the materials again. If you reuse the materials-- be sure to change the essays accordingly to fit each individual application!
Essays are your opportunity to let your personality shine through and find a way to stand out from the crowd. Write in your voice, not what you think the admissions staff or the scholarship review panel wants to hear. Follow these suggestions for a strong essay:
- The scholarship review panel wants to know you! Write an essay that is personal and meaningful to you, that sounds like you and tells a story. Don’t attempt to guess what will impress them (trophies, fancy language, etc.). The subject or story doesn’t have to be huge; it just has to be something that no one else could write. Remember that these people may be reading hundreds of essays—this is your chance to differentiate yourself.
- Write the essay you want to write, not thinking about word count or the number of pages initially—edit/publish later.
- Edit, edit, edit! Print and read your essay out loud and edit for yourself once through. Then get several people to read your drafts and edit for you. This is the time for multiple drafts so that your text is the strongest it can be. The Next Step office is happy to help with reading your essays!
- Show, don’t tell. Write strong openings and closings. Use active verbs. Appeal to all five senses. Include details to bring the reader into the story. Really consider your word choices.
- If the essay poses a specific question or requirement, be sure that you answer the question. For scholarship consideration, not addressing the question may automatically disqualify you from winning.
- 90% of the essays that admissions officers read are boring. They are nicely crafted, usually 5-paragraph essays that could have been written by anyone. Many are trying to be impressive, rather than trying to be honest. Many try to make a big deal out of nothing (“Being on the Quiz Bowl Team taught me the importance of respecting mankind.”) Many just don’t sound like a teenager. Keep it simple, easy to follow, and honest.
- Never forget that getting into college is competitive. Your application represents you. Take time; make it right and error-free.
SCHOLARSHIPS 101
There are national, regional and local scholarships. Most colleges have their own list that you can apply for once you have been admitted (check to see if the FAFSA is a requirement for consideration). Check foundations, religious organization, clubs, community and civic groups, 4-H and businesses. The key to getting scholarships is to start early, search, apply often, meet deadlines and stay organized.
What are the steps?
1) Fill out the Common Application for Local Scholarships (available in the end of December, due the end of February) and apply for as many scholarships as you can.
2) Search online for scholarships, at sites like finaid.org, college-scholarships.org and the guidance counselor's site. Use Google-- for example search "Women in Science Scholarship."
3) Talk to the colleges. They often have lists of scholarships that you can apply for.
How do I win a scholarship?
It helps if you do well academically throughout high school, take leadership roles in extracurricular activities, do well on the SAT and do at least 100 hours of community service. Other tips:
-Only apply if you are eligible.
-Complete the application neatly, accurately, in full and on time.
-Make an impression with your essay. Ask a teacher to read it over.
-Contact the agency or foundation that is offering the scholarship if you do not understand the application.
-Make copies of everything you send so that you have a record and can use the materials again. If you reuse the materials-- be sure to change the essays accordingly to fit each individual application!
