Getting Started on your Scholarship Essay

You are interested in utilizing scholarships to help pay for college. You have met with an advisor to learn about locating and applying for these funds. You have even started filling out a couple of applications. Now, the computer is in front of you, waiting for you to type up that winning scholarship essay...waiting...waiting.

It is not uncommon to "go blank" when you attempt to start a scholarship essay. How do I write an interesting opening paragraph? What exactly are my "unique qualities" that distinguish me from other candidates? 

Let's start by taking a few steps back. Before you attempt to write your essay, there are a few things to do that will lay the groundwork for productive writing.

First, brainstorm. Get out a blank piece of paper or open up a blank document on your computer. Now, read over the scholarship description and the essay question. Then, just write down or type out all of the words and ideas that pop up in your head. At this point, don't worry about whether or not these are good words or that the ideas even make sense - just go wherever your stream of consciousness takes you.

Second, put down your pen or save/close your document, and take a mental break from the brainstorming process.

Third, an hour or a day later, revisit the scholarship description and essay question in comparison to what you wrote down during brainstorming. Circle or highlight the words or ideas that jump out at you as good. Group together your thoughts into different points. Try to focus in on the three to four points that seem to best describe your talents and experiences in relation to the scholarship description and essay question.

Fourth, create an essay outline. The outline should start with Introduction and end with Conclusion. In between, plug in the main points you are focusing on. Decide on the order you want to discuss these main points. List sub-points or details under each main point.

Five, sit down in front of your computer with your outline. Follow your outline and just start writing a rough draft - emphasis on rough! It doesn't have to be perfect or even good, just follow your outline in an effort to translate it into narrative (paragraph) form. Don't get stuck on the introductory paragraph. If you are not sure where to start, just skip the introductory paragraph for now and start with your first main point.

Six, put down your pen or save/close your document, and take a mental break from the rough draft process.

Seven, read through your rough draft and make edits. If you can recruit an advisor or teacher or friend to help edit, all the better! Your first priority is to ensure that you have no spelling or grammatical errors. Your second priority is to ensure that your essay is clear and easy to follow. Your third priority is to ensure that your essay accurately and authentically describes your talents and experiences. Finally, if your essay is intriguing with an engaging introduction - bonus!

Eight, attach your essay to your scholarship application and turn it in!