professional scholarship essay writers

professional scholarship essay writers

The Art of Scholarship Essay Writing: Techniques and Strategies for Success

1. Introduction to Scholarship Essays

Scholarship Essays: An Introduction and Overview

Scholarship essays are one of the most important parts of many scholarship applications. In many cases, written essays serve as the context for the more formal and thorough Q&A style, due to the nature of throwing personal questions at a screening committee in a casual interview setting. Consequently, writing requires creativity, keen self-awareness, and the ability to tailor content and style to an audience (in this case, the giving organization). Although content is usually the best aspect evaluated in these essays, significant attention is paid to the writer’s ability (based on content) to meet educational and career objectives. A well-written and therefore impressive essay is often the last determining factor in the selection process, separating the few finalists from the hundreds of remaining qualified candidates and ensuring that the money is well spent. All of the panels will have access to essays before the interview when giving scales and sample questions they would like the committee to ask, so they can have parameters for the review process.

The art of scholarship essay writing takes time and practice, but this article is designed to provide a framework for essay writing and a number of general strategies, tips, and techniques to improve scholarship essay writing. The essay writing process can be a flexible one; some writers can brainstorm and write “free flow” essays in one sitting, while others prefer to draft and edit over a few weeks (or more!). Please note, however, that dependable scholarship deadlines do not guarantee extensions. In this context, it is wise to budget the essay writing process accordingly, reserving written down “final drafts” about a month. Each process is no “better” than another, but in general, the further you are from high school graduation, the more essays should be approached in the spirit of “process.”

2. Understanding the Prompt and Requirements

The primary mistake most students make when they sit down to write their scholarship essay is failing to thoroughly understand the prompts. If you do take the time to carefully analyze the themes and specific instructions contained in the prompt, you will find that you are better equipped to answer the prompt in a scholarly and thoughtful manner. You should always read the prompt several times before you begin writing anything, and really think about the instructions. When breaking down the prompt, you should look at what the prompt is asking you and what is expected of the responses. Also, identify the specific requirements the scholarship committee has put forth, and make sure your essay fulfills them successfully. Addressing the formatting requirements and page limits are important, and mistakenly overlooking them can be detrimental.

Occasionally, a scholarship prompt may seem a bit convoluted by design as though they are asking almost more of respondents compared to a different, less complex prompt, but that is all an illusion. No matter what type of question a scholarship committee poses, or how they decide to phrase it, what they are really looking for is a student who can adhere to the instructions. The impression a well-organized, well-edited essay leaves on the scholarship committee is that you can adhere to complex requirements and do so in style. Sometimes seemingly convoluted, complex prompt may be broken down into smaller “take-home” messages. If you can discern these messages, they are your emerging essay structure and the closest thing to a “thesis statement” you will get from the prompt itself. This topic is especially relevant if the essay prompt includes source material for you to reference. This signals not only the importance of using those materials as points of reference from within the essay, but in all positions of the essay. They were essential to the committee because they are essential to your essay additional requirement.

3. Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Whether the introduction is the most difficult or most complex section of a scholarship application essay is up for debate, but most authorities agree that crafting a compelling opening is essential. A good introduction should catch basic information in a way readers won’t anticipate while weaving in essential information and tone-setting strategies. One way to hook readers at the beginning of an essay is by stating an opinion, or an “I believe” statement. “I believe that freedom of expression should never be taken for granted, and that our youth should never be underestimated. This free expression is the best opportunity to make our founding fathers’ dream a reality, something that great things are born from,” the first paragraph of a 2009 Gates Millennium Scholar begins.

“Imagine freedom of expression. Now imagine that freedom extended to people below the age of 18, and even younger. Most people would likely call the idea ludicrous, even impossible. After all, who has the time to consider the ideals, thoughts and beliefs of children and adolescents? Besides, with all the newest technology trends, shrinking attention spans, and ultra-strange pop culture fads, who could even listen if they wanted to? Hardly anyone, the average American would most likely say. Rick Rodríguez believes differently… This is an anthology about our youth. However, these essays were not written with the idea that they would be published, let alone scrutinized by professional judges… The young philosophers in this collection are polite, respectful, and honest, from beginning to end. In this book, you will find a surprising mix of beliefs. Let this book be your freedom of expression.” This is the introduction to the Viewpoints class of 2006 book “Freedom of Expression,” a collection of finalists’ essays in answer to the contest question, “What Does ‘Freedom of Expression’ Mean to Me?”

4. Developing Your Personal Narrative

One of the primary goals of the scholarship essay is to tell your personal narrative. Whether it’s discussing overcoming struggles, outlining your academic and extracurricular achievements, or sharing who and what has greatly influenced you, it’s important to show—and not just tell—the scholarship reader exactly who you are. Your application materials (i.e. resume, transcripts) can showcase your involvement and achievements, but the scholarship essay provides you with a space to convey your beliefs, values, and aspirations. Scholarship reviewers are reading many essays in a row, and unique personal stories or a different outlook on an issue can catch their attention more effectively. One recent scholarship recipient said, “It’s not just the grades, it’s your personal statement, the things you’ve done, the impact you had, and what you’re going to do with your education…” Therefore, the scholarship essay and personal statement are of utmost importance. They are both an opportunity to describe the unique personal context from which you hail, and sell yourself. Also, do not consider cutting and pasting or reusing a personal statement or essay you’ve written for another application.

So how do you go about sharing a part of you with a reader you’ve never met? Although some students balk at the mere idea of “thinking deeply” or are “philosophically opposed to the idea of selling one’s self,” there are steps that you can take to make the writing process easier. First, evaluate your life and background over the last few years. Determine your primary values and aspirations and what you have done so far in life to attach merit to those endeavors. Your experiences are unique, and the way you relate those to the scholarship reader is completely up to you. In particular, successful personal statements and scholarship essays are more about the psychology and rhetoric of coping (Who I am—Memory), personal achievements (What I’ve done—Experience), articulation to the career field and college experience (Future Goals—Imagery), and financial need (The Aid & Resource—Vision). Be aware of current issues, yet do not ignore the technical aspects of writing, like grammar, spelling, and content.

In choosing personal content for the scholarship essay, keep in mind you only have a few hundred words. You therefore need to select and discuss those personal elements that best show the scholarship reviewers who you are and the attributes you have. If you choose a topic about which you are passionate, your writing will reflect your enthusiasm and dedication, and this will help you to stand out. Also, ensure you avoid providing information that appears insincere. Some scholarship essays can seem too matter-of-fact or artificial if the writer’s use of vocabulary reeks of embellishment. Your experiences are unique, and the way you relate those to the scholarship reader is completely up to you. Balancing relevance and pragmatism—communicating with the scholarship essay reader in an honest and authentic way while sharing a realistic picture of your life that conveys your potential and qualifications effectively—is an art, but can be done with practice and perseverance.

5. Concluding with Impact

The conclusion of your essay is your final opportunity to connect with your reader. As with the introduction, it is vital to make this connection meaningful and lasting. Here are five strategies to help you make your ending as powerful as possible:

– Call your reader to take action. A great last paragraph could be an invitation for your readers to take whatever next steps you want. Challenge your readers to check out your organization or to make a donation. – Implicate your reader. Help your reader see how, also, they are going to make the world a better place. – Synthesize key themes. If possible, aim to refer back to themes, values, and themes addressed in the essay. You may even choose to use an original image from the introduction or body of your paper. This seals your story and unifies all the aspects of what you have written. – Circle back to your introduction. Select an image, line, or quotation from the beginning of your essay that resonates now. Maybe you can twist that quote from Dorothy and reveal that there’s no place like home – the home of your organization. – Reiterate your suitability for the scholarship. When you write a scholarship essay, think of yourself as the candidate and the organization as the employer. Always link your beginning and end to your potential. This is your chance for the reader to be stuck.

While the body is the largest part of an essay, it can be light-heartedly concluded that this is the second largest part. That being said, the conclusion is the part of the essay that reserves the most importance because it could leave an impression in the audience’s mind. Just like the introduction, there are things to keep in mind when closing an essay. You do not ever want to include new ideas in the conclusion. Instead, sum everything up. The purpose of the conclusion is to brush against or, once again, prove your thesis and 3 supporting ideas. Restate your thesis, briefly. Then briefly summarize your 3 supporting details. Finally, do not forget to leave the audience with something memorable to think about. Strong emotions will be intensified, facts may be reflected upon, and solutions may be acted upon, all in the conclusion. People read the last part of a book and have a memory of what lingered most about it. The same can be said for an essay. A memory of your message can stay in the mind of anyone reading it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a speedy read or the reader is critiquing it; what the conclusion mentions is what will stick in the reader’s mind the most. It could be the strongest point for some readers, the last insight that will stay with them after reading the last sentence.