Introduction
In today’s cut-throat job market, getting your foot in the door is only half the battle. Once you’ve secured an interview, it’s up to you to make sure they remember why they were so impressed with your resume in the first place. Say’s Jeremy Schulman, that’s where a stellar scholarship essay comes in handy: whether it’s a personal statement or scholarship application essay, a well-written piece can give you an edge over other applicants. Here are some strategies for writing an effective scholarship essay that stands out from the crowd:
What to Expect
You should expect to spend a lot of time on your essay. It’s the most important part of your application, as it’s where you get a chance to show the committee why you are a good fit for the scholarship.
If you want to win, take advantage of this opportunity by putting in the effort to craft an outstanding personal statement that demonstrates how your experiences have shaped who you are today and why they make you worthy of receiving financial support from [scholarship name].
Make Sure You’re Eligible
To ensure that your scholarship essay is successful, it’s important to make sure you’re eligible. First, check the eligibility requirements (and be sure to follow them). Second, make sure that you have enough time to write a great essay. If there are deadlines involved in applying for this scholarship and/or submitting an application package, don’t delay!
Thirdly–and perhaps most importantly–check out whether or not your qualifications meet those outlined in the application packet.
Keep it Short and Sweet
Writing an essay is a great way to show off your personality, but it’s important that you keep your application short and sweet. Make sure that you don’t use filler words like “like” or “um,” and avoid rambling on about something that isn’t relevant. It’s also wise not to write essays longer than five pages–the admissions officers won’t read anything longer than this unless they are specifically asked by the applicant or if there are extenuating circumstances (for example, an illness).
The best way to make sure your essay stands out from the crowd is by starting strong with a strong opening line! You want something memorable and engaging that will draw readers into what follows next.
Create a Timeline
- Create a Timeline
Setting up a schedule for yourself is one of the most important things you can do when writing your scholarship essay. You need to know how much time you’ll have to write, and when exactly those deadlines are coming up so that nothing slips through the cracks. If there’s no set deadline for when applications need to be submitted, make sure to give yourself plenty of time beforehand so that if something comes up, such as an illness or an unexpected delay in getting feedback from professors who may read your essay before approving it (which should always happen), then at least all isn’t lost!
Conclusion
Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to get organized. Create a timeline for yourself with deadlines and milestones so that you can keep track of what needs to be done when. This will help keep your stress levels low as well!
