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!

Statements of Intrigue

There is a saying in higher education circles: Students don't do optional. The track record seems to support this statement; if a group of students is told an optional task only about 10% of the students will complete the task.

Since you are reading an academic success blog, I gather that you are one of the 10% of students that do optional activities. Good for you. Going the extra mile will pay great dividends in your future.

Personal statements are sometimes listed as optional on transfer admissions applications. But as you might guess, I strongly suggest you include a personal statement with your admissions application. A personal statement can be the difference between being accepted and being denied, between getting a scholarship from the transfer institution and not getting a scholarship.

But what to write?

Similar to a scholarship essay, your personal statement tells your unique story. Admissions Committees read hundreds if not thousands of personal statements, so avoid writing generic statements that hundreds of other students might write. "I am a creative hard working student and leader. I participate in extracurricular activities." SNOOZE!

Rather, take some time to think deeply about who you are, what experiences have shaped your life, and how you plan to use your unique strengths and experiences to achieve something in life. Use the below questions to start brainstorming ideas for an intriguing personal statement.

What life circumstances or opportunities have shaped you as a person?

How have these life experiences informed your educational and career goals?

Who are your role models? Who inspires you?

How have you contributed to your family, community, school, religious organization, place of employment, et cetera? Why do you volunteer in these types of activities?

What challenges do you face as a college student?

What do you overcome these challenges?

How will you use your education to make the world a better place?

Letters of Recommendation

Scholarship organizations, admissions committees, and hiring panels often request a letter of recommendation before making a decision. This third-person perspective often makes a difference in whether or not you receive the scholarship, are admitted into the four-year university, or are selected for the job.

A letter of recommendation highlights your unique strengths and experiences. It is written on your behalf by respected professional that knows you well. This person might be a former supervisor, teacher, coach, volunteer coordinator, academic advisor, or religious official.

More often than not, a person will write you a letter of recommendation if you ask. However, if you want it to be a good letter of recommendation, follow a few key steps:

- Ask an individual who knows about you, your work ethic, and your performance.
- Give the individual at least two weeks to write the letter.
- Provide your resume or personal statement to the individual.
- Ask politely and respectfully.
- Clarify the purpose of the letter: scholarship, admissions, employment, or general portfolio.

You may collect letters of recommendation at any time. If you have good rapport with a respected professional or you feel you have completed exemplary work under his/her guidance, then ask for a general letter of recommendation. Thereby, create a portfolio of recommendations that you can later share with scholarship organizations, admissions committees, and hiring panels as appropriate.

Write to Win!

It takes time and effort to pen a winning scholarship essay. Put your best foot forward and devote adequate time to creating the best possible essay you can.

1. Analyze the scholarship details to determine your theme. Look closely at the scholarship essay question - you need to provide a relevant and specific answer to this question. Also, pay attention to the organization sponsoring the scholarship - what does the organization value? For example, if you are applying for any CCD scholarship, you know the college values access to education, so you might consider highlighting the unique path you took to get to college and the specific barriers and challenges you face.

2. Brainstorm your unique story. Related to your theme (step 1), think about your specific life experiences, motivations, goals, strengths, or life philosophy. Write them down. Think of specific and unique attributes; avoid generalities. An example of a generality: "I am a very hard worker focused on creating a better life for my family." An example of a unique attribute: "My father immigrated to the United States to create better futures for his children. He taught us that hard work combined with education opens doors. I strongly believe in this idea of America that brought my father here. Through education, I hope to pay the dream forward to my children as well."

3. Create an outline for the essay. Distill your brainstorming; that is, pick out the best parts of your story to include in this particular essay. These are your main points. Note any details or specifics to include under your main points.

4. Just start writing. Use your outline to start writing paragraphs. At this stage in the game, do not worry about the quality of your writing - just get something down on the page.

5. Polish and review. After you have completed a rough draft, now is the time to start polishing your essay. Ask a friend or professional staff to review your essay. Remember, your first paragraph is probably the most important one. The end of the writing process is the best time to review your first paragraph to make sure it is unique, sets the stage for the rest of your essay, and is well written.

Wait and It Will Be Too Late!

As I have said before, scholarship money is "free" money to help cover the costs of your higher education. I write "free" because you have to earn it - both through your performance in and out of the classroom and through the grind of applying for scholarships.

One important point on applying for scholarships: wait and it will be too late!

For example, many fall scholarships have application deadlines between February and May. So, if you want to have scholarship money to help pay for your classes next fall, you need to be applying for these scholarships the previous spring!

These early deadlines are the same for both private scholarships - i.e. The Mary Scofield Scholarship - and institutional scholarships. So, fill out your generic CCD scholarship application by April. If you plan to transfer to a new institution next fall, you must complete the financial aid and scholarship applications for that school in the spring as well. For example, if you plan to transfer to University of Colorado Denver in the fall, you must complete the Reisher Scholarship application (a UCD scholarship for transfer students) by May 1.

Free money?

Scholarships offer thousands of dollars to pay for tuition, fees, and related college expenses. Scholarships - unlike loans - do not need to be repaid. But, like most things worthwhile, it requires effort and diligence on your part to earn scholarships.

One great place to start your scholarship search is with the CCD Scholarship application. This application allows you to automatically apply to multiple scholarships that are only open to CCD students. Come January, you will be able to fill out the CCD Scholarship application online for fall 2010. These funds go fast, and they are first-come, first-serve, so apply early!

There are literally thousands of private scholarships available. Unlike CCD scholarships, these are open to students from other schools as well. However, look for scholarships with specific criteria that you meet, such as your area of study, your background, your work history, et cetera. The more specific the criteria of a scholarship, the fewer eligible students, and the better the chances.

There are many helpful online search tools to help you find private scholarships. Some examples include: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.collegeboard.com, and www.collegeinvest.org.

Contact your TRIO Scholars Educational Case Manager or Peer Mentor for assistance with locating and applying for scholarships!