For more information on writing a killer scholarship essay, .
You may notice some similarities between the scholarship essay examples about yourself we’ve provided. That’s because the authors of the best scholarship essays all use similar strategies to make their essays great.
When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit to ensure it’s ready to be submitted. Check that you’ve adhered to all the scholarship essay format guidelines (like the word count).
Make sure to organize your thoughts in a narrative order. However, there isn’t just one way to write an essay. So, don’t limit yourself to one version of your story. You may find yourself writing multiple drafts before you get to your final scholarship essay format.
Write an essay that works for multiple prompts.
The best scholarship essays will share an authentic story with impactful details. The key is to be yourself and not shy away from personal details. The more the committee gets to know about you, the more likely they are to invest in your future. You want your essay to offer a genuine, in-depth look into who you are as a person.
Start by brainstorming everything you may want to include in your essay. Then, think about whether the stories you include support your arguments. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” or “How did this get me closer to my goals?”. These reflections help the reader connect to your purpose for writing.
Some of your scholarship essay prompts may be similar across different scholarship applications. However, it’s important that your essay is specific to each prompt and answers the question entirely. While you can repurpose an essay you’ve already written as inspiration or a starting point, be extra attentive when doing so.
Once you have thought about what you want to say, start thinking about your scholarship essay format. You may start by making a list of what your reader may be interested in:
For more information about scholarship essays:
However, there are some things all of the best scholarship essays have in common. Here are some general tips, tricks, and outlines to help you in your own writing process.
Not sure how to nail the perfect scholarship essay format?
As important as the content of your essay is, your scholarship essay format is equally important. As you write, be sure to adhere to the scholarship essay format provided to you.
Now, let's see how you should format your scholarship essay!
Do your best to “show, not tell” in your essay. This relates back to the previous tip about being concise and using detailed language. For example, instead of saying you are hardworking, provide an example that shows that you are hardworking. Instead of saying you are excited about furthering your education, give specific examples of what you are excited to learn and experience.
Scholarship Essay Format Template
Both of these scholarship essay examples highlight how the writers have given back to their communities. These winning scholarship essay examples highlight the writers’ strengths. In doing so, they highlight why these writers deserve help with college tuition costs.
College Scholarship Essay Format
Many students fall into the trap of telling a story they think scholarship foundation committees want to hear. Instead, stay true to yourself as you craft your scholarship application essays. Don’t tell your reader what you think they want to hear—just tell them who you are.
Scholarship Essay Format for University
Don’t write about a topic just because it seems impressive. Do your best to always be sincere and genuine. Reflect on your future plans carefully and give yourself enough time to write each essay thoughtfully. Organizations want to award scholarships to thoughtful individuals who invested time and effort into their application.
Scholarship Essay Format For High School
Make a list of scholarships you are eligible for — along with their deadlines and other requirements. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise. Once you’ve written your first scholarship essay, chances are, you’ll be able to tweak it for other scholarship opportunities. So do yourself a favor and start drafting your scholarship essay early! This way you will be able to meet more deadlines.