Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay – Key to Academic Success!
Higher education is not accessible on the pocket in any country. The best type of financial aid is a scholarship. There are many students like you who need a scholarship. Maybe they are more deserving of the scholarship than you are. So how do I secure the scholarship?
An excellent and fitting scholarship essay may play a significant role in securing that scholarship for you.
A scholarship essay determines whether you will sway the reviewing committee into awarding you the scholarship. A university gets thousands of applications for scholarship opportunities. A scholarship essay helps the committee decide who deserves the scholarship the most. As competition is very tough for scholarships, you need to make sure your scholarship essay is exceptional. To write an essay, you must keep some pointers in mind.
Standard Structure of Scholarship Essay.
The most important factor of a scholarship essay is its structure. Note that there is no standard structure to follow for a scholarship essay. Some universities have specific structures and formats for scholarship as well. Usually, the following structure is followed in most essays.
- Essay title if specified.
- An introduction. The introduction can vary from one to two paragraphs.
- Main Body. The main body can be covered in 3-5 paragraphs. This is where you use all your creativity and soft skills.
- Conclusion. The conclusive paragraph should be precise and on point. Conclude your essay in one paragraph.
Remember that most successful scholarship essays were not longer than 500 words. Some universities specify word limits but in cases where a word limit has not been specified, keep your Scholarship essay under 500 words.
Standard Format of Scholarship Essay
A scholarship essay should have a standard format unless there are any specifications. Usually,
- The font should be Calibri, Arial, or New Times Roman.
- The font size should be 12.
- The heading size could vary from 12-14.
- Although 1.5 spacing is also acceptable, double spacing is preferred.
- Your document margin should have a 1-inch margin.
Successful Scholarship Essay Writing Principles
Your essay has to cover all important factors and achievements of your life in under 500 words. Know that the reviewing committee sees between lines of your essay, so you need to make it interesting.
For example, you will be asked to answer, “what will you do if you are not rewarded the scholarship?” the reviewing committee is assessing your conflict resolution skills with this question. Here are some valuable ‘hacks’ or tips on how to write your scholarship essay.
- Brainstorm and draw a rough outline beforehand.
Think of what you will be writing in the essay before you begin writing it. Draw a rough outline of what you need to cover so you do not leave any important detail out.
- Highlight your personality traits.
The reviewing committee may not meet you in person. Hence, they will assess your personality through your essay. Try to highlight a colorful and charming personality through your words.
- Be the right amount of confident.
It is important to be confident in this game…but overconfidence will ruin your chances of securing a scholarship. Sound convincing but not pushy. Remember that you need to impress the committee.
- Identify the key themes.
A scholarship essay topic has a theme lays between the lines. Try to grasp the theme and target that theme in your essay. Use keywords and synonyms of the keywords.
- Make your introductory paragraph intriguing.
This is a well-known and most neglected tip of writing any essay. An introductory paragraph must be the most creative. You need to leave a great first impression and grab the attention of the reader.
- Target the goal of the scholarship.
For example, if you’re applying for a need-based scholarship, target how the scholarship will help you. Write about your financial worries and how the scholarship will ease them.
- Use advanced but understandable vocabulary.
Try to use the advanced English language and a vast vocabulary. Avoid repeating words, instead use their synonyms. Your vocabulary should be vast but also not too difficult.
- Use transitioning sentences and paragraphs.
It is important to have a flow in your essay. Each sentence and paragraph should be connected to the previous one. It leaves an excellent impression on the committee and is a talent only a few have.
- Keep the paragraphs short.
Long paragraphs look draining. A committee is already ready for a large number of applications. Your essay should be easy to read. Try to write more but shorter paragraphs.
- Do not exceed the word limit.
One unspoken rule you must keep in mind about scholarship essays is that you should never exceed the word limit except for a margin of 15-20 words. It will instantly leave a poor impression.
- Quality over quantity.
The reviewers do not need long, filled pages, they want quality. The committee does not appreciate long pages. Make your essay short but interesting and informative. If you have covered all that, you wish to and have not reached the word limit, do not repeat previously stated things.
- Be original.
The highly-qualified and experienced set of professors in the reviewing committee can see through your words. They appreciate authenticity, for they want to know who you are. Be original and authentic in your essay.
- Tweak the essay in favor of the institute or the organization.
While writing the scholarship essay, keep it in favor of the providing organization or institute. Do your research about the provider and show gratitude to the organization for the scholarship opportunity.
- Use real-life examples.
When writing about your accomplishments or skills, try to give proof or real-life examples. A short story is a perfect way of doing that. It is an interesting approach that keeps the reviewer hooked.
- Recheck for grammar or spelling errors.
Lastly, you must recheck your essay a few times before submitting it. Cut down repetitive information or words. Correct any spelling or grammatical mistakes. You do not want grammatical errors ruining your impression of the reviewer.
