If you’ve been feverishly applying to all of your top undergrad or grad programs recently, chances are you’ve been asked to write an essay. For most universities, this is a way for the admissions board to get to know your strengths and your motivations, and it’s a chance for you to highlight your abilities and interests. But the essays don’t stop after admissions, besties. It’s time to send in those scholarship applications!
Although it may be a bit time consuming to apply to so many different scholarships, it’s well worth it when you’re in need of as many opportunities as possible to earn an education. There are tons of applications out there if you know where to look, so the only thing left to do is craft a strong personal essay that reflects your character and capabilities. If you don’t know where to start, here are six scholarship essay ideas that will help you nail your applications and achieve your education goals!
- Personal Essay
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For a simple and effective essay, tell the scholarship committee about yourself! You have plenty of creative freedom with this basic prompt, so try to think of it like a personal statement that relates back to your future goals and interests. Think about your definitive characteristics that a university would want to hear about and essentially invest their time in. Are you an empathetic leader? Do you contribute any services to your community? Are you a determined student? These are all traits that a scholarship committee might search for when awarding scholarships, but don’t feel like you can’t get creative with your positive qualities.
- Future Goals And Plans
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If you’re heading into college with a specific major and career plan in mind, then it would be a good idea to explain that in your scholarship application! Use this opportunity to tell the committee why you became interested in a certain major or career path, and describe the exact moment you got inspired to choose it. Don’t be afraid to get specific and get into how the scholarship would serve you in the future. This will give the scholarship committee a good idea of where your head and heart are at, and why you deserve the scholarship!
- Community Service Experience
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With this prompt, you’ll be able to highlight all of the ways you’ve given back to your community. If you’ve participated in community service throughout your high school career, maybe through different clubs or other extracurricular activities, then this is a great chance to show the scholarship committee your contributions, and what kind of support you could provide to others in college. Make sure to include how you’ve changed or grown as a person from your experience, and how you’ll continue to contribute to your community in the future.
- How The Scholarship Would Help You
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It’s no secret that seeking a higher education is costly, and there are many barriers to receiving a high quality education at a reasonable price. For many, scholarships are the only way to pursue that education. And although most scholarships don’t cover the whole cost of tuition, every bit counts when it comes to financial support. If this is the case for you, you can share your personal hardships and how the scholarship would help you pay for college, even if it would be minor school supplies.
- A unique Experience That Changed You
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For your essay, try writing about any unique event, quality, or experience that has changed you or your life. First, choose a topic that you’d feel comfortable writing about — whether it’s about your unique background, identity, culture, or anything that highlights the person you are today. Perhaps an essay on growing up in a collectivist culture, why you became a vegan, or how working as a nursing assistant has changed your perspective on life (I know, random, but these are all ideas formed from my own unique experiences!). This will give the scholarship committee a close peek into your life and how it has shaped the person you are today. Whatever the story is, it’s yours to tell in this scholarship essay.
- Athletic Experience
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If you’re a student athlete, you might not have as much volunteer or work experience as your peers. If you’re involved at both the travel and high school level, sports can become a full-time job. And I should know, besties; all throughout my childhood and up to high school, I was heavily involved in sports, both inside and outside of school. At the time, I didn’t think it could help me unless I was planning on playing my sport in college, but I now know that’s not the case! If you’re looking to incorporate your athletic experiences into your essay, try writing about how sports have taught you about teamwork, how a coach has become a mentor, or how you’ve learned structure and responsibility in life, and how that has made you a better student. There are plenty of skills you can pull from your athletic experiences, so make sure to take time and reflect!
