Essay Strategies

The scholarship board will look for these general qualities:

• Engagement – Does the applicant discuss extracurricular, research, volunteer, internship, work or other experiences that add to his or her academic pursuits?

• Leadership – Does the applicant discuss his or her role in or contribution to any experiences discussed?

• Sense of Purpose – Does the applicant provide evidence of having a sense of direction and an understanding of how that has developed through past experiences?

Issues the scholarship board will  give special consideration:

• English language learners – Many scholarship applicants are not native English speakers or writers. Because an essay-based application naturally puts these applicants at a disadvantage.  The board will look beyond the spelling and grammar errors when there is evidence that the applicant is a non-native speaker, and focus more on the content of the information provided.

• Eloquent vagueness – Some applicants are fantastic writers who have great things to say on the surface, but no experience to back up their statements. Exceptional applicants will show, rather than tell, about themselves and their ideas.

Good Luck!!!