Formatting and Submitting Winning Scholarship Application Essays
Scholarships.com is here to provide you with invaluable scholarship essay tips for your college education success journey. Today, let's unlock the secrets of an often overlooked but significant part of the application process: the proper format of your scholarship essay. It may not sound as thrilling as writing the college essay itself, but trust me, the way you present your awesome ideas matters, perhaps just as much as the ideas themselves.
The fact is the panel of educators judging your scholarship application are not only interested in the tale you're weaving; they're also keenly observing the way you express it. They are dissecting your essay outline from the font you use to the spacing of your lines, every tiny detail comes under their scrutiny. Your essay's format should seamlessly blend into the background, letting your narrative structure take center stage. Conversely, a poor essay submission format is like a discordant note that jars the reader out of your story.
The goal is to make a lasting first great impression so that your chances at winning a scholarship award are high.
If you are determined to achieve your career goals and personal goals with higher education, there is no room for error. This essay is your opportunity to showcase your achievements, life experiences, and academic performances for a chance to be gifted free financial assistance with a scholarship award.
Now, let's dive into scholarship essay tips to ensure your essay topic is strong, introductory paragraph is powerful, and personal statements outlined within a narrative structure so you can turn in an outstanding essay for the win.
Mastering the Art of Formatting an Essay on the Computer
- Details Are Key: The first step is to check if the scholarship contest specifies a font style, font size, line spacing, and page margins. Adhering to these instructions reflects your keen attention to detail and dedication to winning the scholarship. For example, some scholarship essay format guidelines require you to submit a compelling 450-word essay with the following: simple outline format, New Times Roman font, 12-point font size, 1-inch margin, 3-4 line introductory, and a 4–5-line conclusion.
- Fonts Matter: Choose a font that looks professional and is easy to read. Think Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, Times New Roman, and Verdana. Tempted to go for that fancy script or cute style font? Resist the urge and stick with the professional style!
- Size It Right: The right font size is the Goldilocks zone of formatting - neither too small nor too large. If the instructions leave it open, aim for a size between 10 and 12 for your essay body, with the heading standing tall at 14 points.
- Keep It Simple: Be cautious with using too many italics, bold, or underlined text. If you need to highlight a word, lean towards italics, but ultimately, your personal experiences and life story itself should carry the most weight.
- Polish Till It Shines: We highly recommend that you start the essay writing process early that that you have plenty of time to rereview it before the application submission deadline. Make sure your compelling scholarship essay is sparkling clean, free from typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes. Use a spell-check tool, but also manually proofread your awesome essay. Better yet, get a fresh pair of eyes (or a couple) to review it too.
The Right Way to Print an Essay for Mailing
- Quality Speaks Volumes: Stand out from the crowd by printing your essay on high-quality paper.
- Crystal Clear Print: Make sure your printer has enough ink to produce a crisp, clean print. The quality of your print says a lot about your professionalism.
- First Impressions: A smudge-free and crease-free admission essay is what you're aiming for to win your scholarship award.
- Pack it Right: Use an envelope that can comfortably hold your essay and application form without folding. The condition your application arrives in speaks volumes about you.
Saving Your Essay for Digital Submission:
- Format Matters: Save your actual essay in the preferred file format, as per the scholarship rules. Given a choice, go with a PDF format- it screams 'professional'!
- File Naming Etiquette: Name your file clearly so it is easy to find. You will want to add the scholarship award's name, your name, and the contest year. A well-named easy to read file is a sign of a well-prepared student with big future goals in mind.
- Paste with Care: If you're pasting your academic essay into an online form, take the time to check how it looks post-paste. Online forms can be fickle and don't always support certain formatting styles.
Legibility is Key!
Remember, a successful scholarship essay is about more than the story you tell. It's about how you tell it. So go out there, wield these tips like your mightiest weapons, and win that dream scholarship so you don't need to take out massive amounts of student loans!
To find scholarships that fit your academic goals click here to use our scholarship directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which font is recommended for a scholarship essay?
Generally speaking, sans-serif fonts like Segoe UI, Roboto, Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, or Verdana work well and are easy on the reader's eyes. These typefaces don't just elevate the aesthetic of your text, but they are also help your reader move efficiently through your thoughtful points and ideas.
Can I use fancy fonts and colors to make my essay stand out?
It's better to make your essay stand out through its content and story, rather than its colors and font. Overdoing the styling with ornate fonts and/or bright colors can be like putting a nice photo or painting in a large, gaudy frame.
Should I have someone else proofread my essay?
Absolutely! Another set of eyes can help catch errors you might have missed and provide fresh perspective. It is near impossible to catch all your own typos or grammatical errors and misspellings, so it is a good idea to ask a well-read teacher, friend or relative to read it over before you submit it.
What if the online form messes up my formatting?
Always review your essay after pasting it into the online form. Adjust as necessary to ensure it remains readable and aesthetically pleasing.