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Top 10 Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays

When you start researching scholarship opportunities, you will quickly find out that many of the scholarship programs for which you qualify involve writing a scholarship worthy essay. Very few programs are based strictly on an application form or transcript. Scholarship committees like essays because they are able to get a better sense of who the applicants really are from reading their original writing than from simply looking at a form or seeing a listing of completed classes and grades.

College scholarship essay contests actually level the playing field so that students from different backgrounds with varying levels of accomplishments have equal chances of winning college scholarships. Essays offer great opportunities for all students who meet the stated requirements for a scholarship program.

When you are faced with the challenge of scholarship essay writing, remind yourself that the effort you put into writing your essay represents the chance to sell yourself to the scholarship committee. A winning scholarship essay is one that truly sets a particular applicant apart from the others. If you tell your story clearly and persuasively, you just might find yourself receiving a congratulatory letter from the scholarship committee!

10 Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays

  1. Read the instructions and make sure you understand them before you start writing.
  2. Think about what you are going to write and organize your thoughts before you start writing.
  3. Begin the writing process by writing an outline.
  4. Make sure your outline touches on every aspect required per the instructions.
  5. Write your essay by elaborating on each of the points in your outline.
  6. Use clear, concise and simple language throughout the essay.
  7. State your accomplishments without coming across as if you are bragging.
  8. Make sure your grammar and spelling are impeccable.
  9. Read the question again and then read your essay to be certain that the essay addresses every point.
  10. Have someone with strong writing and editing skills proofread the essay before you submit it.

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Last Reviewed: January 2020

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