The following article has good ideas for college and scholarship
essays that we hope will be helpful.
1O HOT TIPS by Sue Macy
There’s no doubt about it: to win a college scholarship, it helps
to have good grades, notable achievements, and a variety of interests both in and out of
school. But a little inside information doesn’t hurt either.
A few years ago I volunteered to be a judge in the Mervyn’s CA/
Women’s Sports Foundation Scholarship Program… Here are my
tips for writing a winning application:
- Use the scholarship application itself – don’t type the
questions over…A typed-out application is harder to read. Plus, this applicant left
off one of the questions, and that knocked her out of the running.
- Fill out a practice application first. Photocopy the application and use
the copy to write a draft. Once you’ve fine-tuned your answers, type them neatly on
the original.
- Pay attention to details. Most applications ask for your name, address,
date of birth, and expected graduation date. Be careful – omitting information can
cost you. The applications I read asked students under 18 to have a parent or guardian
sign the form. Applicants who ignored that had a mark against them from the start.
- Be concise, but creative. Judges will be impressed by what you write
– not how much you write. Try to emphasize what makes you different from everybody
else. And let your personality show through so judges can feel connected to you. Get
others to read your essay aloud to listen for trouble areas.
- Have some self-respect. When explaining how you overcame a hardship,
don’t milk your difficulties. The judge should admire you and your achievements
– not squirm in her seat as if she’s passing a car wreck!
- Be humble. When reporting accomplishments, don’t be cocky. Try to
convey your dedication and skill, but also maintain modesty. Watch for a bragging tone.
- Do the math! If an application asks for your family’s income or
college expenses, make sure those financial numbers are correct and add up.
- Choose your teachers wisely. Often it’s hard to pick scholarship
winners from a pool of so many excellent entries. Outstanding teacher letters may make the
difference.
- Help your teachers write the best letters possible. Give them a summary
of your achievements and goals and all the scholarship information.
- Don’t miss the deadline. After you work hard putting together the
best application possible, you want to make sure it gets read!