Right, lots of scholars need scholarships in order to accomplish their school dreams. They help pay for classes, research, and just general living expenses, especially if you are an international or third world scholar. This usually however means you have to pen a killer essay.
If you require money to study, you need to have an excellent essay that will show who you are. What is going to be taught in this article is how to create one that is outstanding and earns you the financial aid that you need.
Why Your Essay Matters
Scholarship recipients read several hundred applications a year. Grades are fine, but your essay is where you get to speak for yourself. It informs them about what you’re enthusiastic about and what you wish to study. A fantastic essay reveals your passion, what you’d wish to study, and how the scholarship will help you realize your full potential.
If you’re from Nigeria, Asia, or any other part of the world, your essay is where you tell your story and prove to them that you do need and deserve the help.
Winning an Essay
1. Know What They Want
Read the directions! What do they want? Good grades? Leaders? To assist others? Write your essay to resemble what they are interested in. That way they will see you put in the work.
2. Learn About the Scholarship
What is it that the scholarship-granting company would like? If they are interested in research, talk about your research. If they are interested in scholars from poorer countries, talk about how you fit into that category. Demonstrates that you understand something about what they want.
3. Consider Your Story
What intrigues you mentally? What have you battled? What do you wish to study, and how will this cash help you? Write down some ideas prior to writing.
4. Make a Memorable Beginning
Your opening sentences are your best. Craft a story, quotation, or say a line that will get folks thinking.
Here is an example:
Having grown up in Nigeria, I’d witnessed rivers filled with garbage. I really wanted to study the environment because of that.
That opener entices people and makes them understand you care.
5. Show What You’ve Done
Scholarship people invest in scholars who will do something great. Talk about your projects, awards, organizations you’ve formed, and conferences you’ve been to. Here is an example:
When I was in college, I led a team that built a solar-powered water filter. And believe it or not, we actually won an award in 2023!
Also, let them know what you intend to do in the future. How will the scholarship help you realize your school and career goals?
6. Discuss Giving Back
Most scholarships I know give incentives to scholars who give back to their communities. If you have volunteered, been a leader, or worked on solving problems, talk about it. For example,
I created a college-readiness mentorship program for low-income scholars. It worked in placing 50 of them into college!
7. Be Yourself
Be not a fake but yourself. Explain how you’ve had difficulties and how you’ve improved yourself. Honesty is something people respect.
8. Make it Easy to Read
Your essay should be properly formatted:
- Intro: Get the reader’s attention and tell them what matters to you.
- Body: Declare your accomplishments, your aspirations, and how you’ve benefited others.
- Conclusion: Summarize your goals and tell why you should get the scholarship.
Write simply, but not just fancy.
9. Check Your Work
Geniuses can also make mistakes. Read your stuff after you have finished writing. Let teachers or friends read and critique it. They can make you better by correcting you.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Following Instructions: Excess writing or failure to answer the questions can result in rejection.
- Being Generic: Write a unique essay for every scholarship. Don’t reuse the same for all.
- Using Big Words Too Often: It is fine to be intelligent, but ensure that the people are able to comprehend.
- Not Explaining How It Will Be of Benefit to You: Explain to the scholarship folks how the funds will be of benefit to your community and school.
Example of a Scholarship Essay
This below is an example of a winning scholarship essay:
“At where I come from in Ibadan, Nigeria, electricity would cut off all the time. That’s when I came to understand that without electricity, it is harder to study, receive healthcare, and make a livelihood. That is what made me love school.”
I’m Samuel Jackson, a Nigerian learning how to identify quality energy solutions for poor communities.
What I’ve Done Academically
I graduated in electrical engineering with honours from the University of Ibadan in 2023. I was the team leader that designed an affordable solar-powered microgrid to electrify villages. I even received an award for it! I would want to study master’s in renewable energy. I want to know how to generate energy at affordable costs and in an easy manner to meet in Africa. Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to make use of school equipment, work with fellow scholars, and transform ideas into tangible solutions!
Leadership and Assisting the Community
Schooling is not my major interest. I also started a club titled Scholars for Easy Access to Energy, I’ve encouraged more than 100 secondary school scholars to take interest in STEM. I was also student association president. I also started tutoring and leadership seminars. Because of them, I have very good leadership skills, and also, gotten the understanding that scholars should always be serving communities.
How I Fit with This Scholarship
I would appreciate this scholarship because it is concerned with helping scholars who are passionate about making the world a better place. My work and this scholarship are also all about grades, ideas, and helping the community. If I receive this scholarship, I would be able to focus on my research and help those who need it most. And I might get to meet world changers.
Staying Strong
I struggled to get where I am. I read under a candle because we never had electricity. Due to that, I am dedicated to serving people. Scholarship is not everything about achieving at school, what I am most excited about is applying the things that I learn to solve the world’s problems
Final thoughts
I am a unique candidate for this scholarship because I am dedicated. I would like to apply my education to help make the world a better place.
Sincerely
Samuel Jackson
Conclusion
Your essay is your chance to let the scholarship folks get to know you as a scholar. If you take these suggestions and sit down and actually write something that makes sense, a truthful retelling, you’ll be more likely to win the scholarship.
Remember that scholarships are gambles on scholars. if you receive a good essay, they’ll view you as someone worth taking the gamble on.
Good luck!
