Scholarship Letter Assignment—Essay #2
Reason for the Assignment: A well-written scholarship essay allows you to single yourself out from the other scholarship applicants when you make application for Financial Aid. Your assignment is to write a scholarship letter that tells others the reasons you would be a good candidate for funds. You can use it for your own purposes, re-writing for various financial aid opportunities.
Length and Format:
This is to be no more than a page and a half, double spaced essay that is written in a similar format as your first essay, four to six paragraphs. Your title will be: "Scholarhip Essay for ___________________(your name)."
Steps in Writing the Essay
1.
Develop a first draft to use as an outline for your essay. This will help you to organize your essay. Before you write the draft, avoid frustration during the writing process by gathering documents such as transcripts and refer to the scholarship application preview and keep them in front of you for reference.
2.
You can use the following information for the basis of different paragraphs of the scholarship essay. These include:
Start with a strong thesis or umbrella statement outlining your goals, and indicate the main categories you will be discussing in your essay.
Example of four categories: My academic achievements, my work experience, and my community service have all helped me to work toward my goals.
4.
Write one paragraph for each of the sections you have chosen to write about, and introduce each section with a clear topic sentence indicating which area you plan to discuss.
5.
Stress how your experience helped you to develop the kinds of skills and qualities that selection committees are looking for in a good candidate. These include the following qualities taken directly from forms that are used for letters of recommendation for scholarships:
6.
The challenge of the scholarship essay is to make sure that you stress a constant theme: tell how many of your past experiences have helped to prepare you to be a good candidate for the scholarship.
7.
Choice of words is important. You must be modest and yet ‘brag’ about your abilities at the same time. Use words like ‘good candidate,’ ‘well-prepared,’ ‘good leaderships skills’ and other terms that remain modest while demonstrating your abilities. Avoid exaggerated terms like ‘fantastic background,’ ‘my eternal passion for learning,’ ‘my exceptional skills,’ ‘my outstanding leadership ability’. Instead, let the evidence speak for itself.
8.
Have a classroom peer read over your essay to make sure that you have not made any exaggerated claims, but have clearly given enough detail to indicate your skills fully and accurately, your thoughts are well articulated, and it is easy to follow. We will do peer review work in class.
Sample Scholarship Essay/Personal Statement (Nursing Student)
I am applying for the SPSCC Scholarship Funds for Nurses. Presently I am in my first year in the nursing program. I believe that my chosen profession will enable me to fulfill my desire to help others, to expand my knowledge base, and to travel. Throughout my life I have participated in extracurricular activities, including valuable volunteer experiences. I have striven for academic excellence, always wishing to make the most of my education. In addition, I have managed to work to provide some of my basic educational expenses.
Education has always been an important aspect of my life. While in high school I took challenging courses, such as advanced placement English and calculus, physics, and chemistry. I enjoyed the arts and was involved in art, band, and choir. Despite the time consuming practices for concerts, parades, musicals and exhibits, I was able to maintain an excellent GPA, allowing me to graduate with honors. I decided to stay near home and come to the University of Michigan- Flint because of the smaller class size, and the excellent program offered in my major.
I have received many scholarships since I began my college career. (You should list scholarships, type, and date here.)
Although education plays a significant role in my life, I am involved with many other activities. During high school I was an active member of several clubs, and served as treasurer and president. I frequently tutored middle school students by offering my time before and after school. I enjoy the arts and participated in many performances, often involving travel to other parts of the United States. I belong to the National Student Nurses Association.. I have volunteered my time to inform individuals about what nursing involves. I have also done community work, such as blood pressure screening, and offering information for those at risk for hypertension and diabetes.
In addition to school related activities, I am involved with my local church. I teach a class of 3-6 year olds. When other teachers are unable to teach Sunday School, I come to their aid. I have participated in community cleanup, nursery day and choir. I feel that by participating in community-related activities I am setting a positive example for the children to follow.
Work is also part of my life. Until recently, I worked 16-20 hours a week to provide for educational expenses. Presently I work eight hours a week in the neonatal intensive care unit at Capital Medical Center for premature infants. I enjoy working because I am able to see newborns in progress to a state where they can finally be discharged to their families. I enjoy teaching parents about their infants. Through my work experiences I have learned more about what to expect upon completion of my nursing program.
All of these experiences have helped to shape me. I have faced many challenges, balancing work and school, and I have willingly given my time. My goal is to become a registered nurse so that I can perform tasks that clients cannot do for themselves. I enjoy listening, working with others, and acting as a patient advocate and educator. I have a large number of nursing instructors who are wonderful, and who have had an influence on my life. I would one day like to give back what they have given to me by becoming an instructor. I know that when my goals are realized, I will be able to provide something meaningful to all of the patients.
(Adapted from University of Michigan, Financial Aid Office)
Reason for the Assignment: A well-written scholarship essay allows you to single yourself out from the other scholarship applicants when you make application for Financial Aid. Your assignment is to write a scholarship letter that tells others the reasons you would be a good candidate for funds. You can use it for your own purposes, re-writing for various financial aid opportunities.
Length and Format:
This is to be no more than a page and a half, double spaced essay that is written in a similar format as your first essay, four to six paragraphs. Your title will be: "Scholarhip Essay for ___________________(your name)."
Steps in Writing the Essay
1.
Develop a first draft to use as an outline for your essay. This will help you to organize your essay. Before you write the draft, avoid frustration during the writing process by gathering documents such as transcripts and refer to the scholarship application preview and keep them in front of you for reference.
2.
You can use the following information for the basis of different paragraphs of the scholarship essay. These include:
- Scholarships and awards and leadership roles
- School and community involvement with an emphasis on active contributions to any club, association, or civic organization
- Skills and special knowledge, special projects, research in your area of study (including teaching and tutoring)
- Life and educational experiences that have motivated you or have demonstrated your ability to overcome obstacles and challenges successfully in order to continue your education
- Academic and career goals
- Address your personal financial circumstances, including any unusual or extenuating circumstances, and why you are a worthy candidate for scholarship consideration.
Start with a strong thesis or umbrella statement outlining your goals, and indicate the main categories you will be discussing in your essay.
Example of four categories: My academic achievements, my work experience, and my community service have all helped me to work toward my goals.
4.
Write one paragraph for each of the sections you have chosen to write about, and introduce each section with a clear topic sentence indicating which area you plan to discuss.
- Example: I have always chosen challenging courses, and have a very good academic record.
- Example: I have developed strong leadership skills, and have learned to interact with a wide variety of people while working several different jobs.
- Example: I also have a good record of community service.
5.
Stress how your experience helped you to develop the kinds of skills and qualities that selection committees are looking for in a good candidate. These include the following qualities taken directly from forms that are used for letters of recommendation for scholarships:
- Scholarship (grades can show this), knowledge of chosen field, carefulness of work
- Motivation, enthusiasm, seriousness of purpose
- Creativity, originality, creativity in problem-solving
- Ability to plan and carry out a project--strong organization skills
- Ability to express thoughts in speech and writing
- Maturity, emotional stability, ability to withstand stress and face challenges
- Leadership
- Self-reliance, initiative, independence, adaptability
- Responsibility, ability to make sound judgments
- Effectiveness with people, tact, ability to work with others, communicate effectively
- Community service, volunteerism
6.
The challenge of the scholarship essay is to make sure that you stress a constant theme: tell how many of your past experiences have helped to prepare you to be a good candidate for the scholarship.
7.
Choice of words is important. You must be modest and yet ‘brag’ about your abilities at the same time. Use words like ‘good candidate,’ ‘well-prepared,’ ‘good leaderships skills’ and other terms that remain modest while demonstrating your abilities. Avoid exaggerated terms like ‘fantastic background,’ ‘my eternal passion for learning,’ ‘my exceptional skills,’ ‘my outstanding leadership ability’. Instead, let the evidence speak for itself.
8.
Have a classroom peer read over your essay to make sure that you have not made any exaggerated claims, but have clearly given enough detail to indicate your skills fully and accurately, your thoughts are well articulated, and it is easy to follow. We will do peer review work in class.
Sample Scholarship Essay/Personal Statement (Nursing Student)
I am applying for the SPSCC Scholarship Funds for Nurses. Presently I am in my first year in the nursing program. I believe that my chosen profession will enable me to fulfill my desire to help others, to expand my knowledge base, and to travel. Throughout my life I have participated in extracurricular activities, including valuable volunteer experiences. I have striven for academic excellence, always wishing to make the most of my education. In addition, I have managed to work to provide some of my basic educational expenses.
Education has always been an important aspect of my life. While in high school I took challenging courses, such as advanced placement English and calculus, physics, and chemistry. I enjoyed the arts and was involved in art, band, and choir. Despite the time consuming practices for concerts, parades, musicals and exhibits, I was able to maintain an excellent GPA, allowing me to graduate with honors. I decided to stay near home and come to the University of Michigan- Flint because of the smaller class size, and the excellent program offered in my major.
I have received many scholarships since I began my college career. (You should list scholarships, type, and date here.)
Although education plays a significant role in my life, I am involved with many other activities. During high school I was an active member of several clubs, and served as treasurer and president. I frequently tutored middle school students by offering my time before and after school. I enjoy the arts and participated in many performances, often involving travel to other parts of the United States. I belong to the National Student Nurses Association.. I have volunteered my time to inform individuals about what nursing involves. I have also done community work, such as blood pressure screening, and offering information for those at risk for hypertension and diabetes.
In addition to school related activities, I am involved with my local church. I teach a class of 3-6 year olds. When other teachers are unable to teach Sunday School, I come to their aid. I have participated in community cleanup, nursery day and choir. I feel that by participating in community-related activities I am setting a positive example for the children to follow.
Work is also part of my life. Until recently, I worked 16-20 hours a week to provide for educational expenses. Presently I work eight hours a week in the neonatal intensive care unit at Capital Medical Center for premature infants. I enjoy working because I am able to see newborns in progress to a state where they can finally be discharged to their families. I enjoy teaching parents about their infants. Through my work experiences I have learned more about what to expect upon completion of my nursing program.
All of these experiences have helped to shape me. I have faced many challenges, balancing work and school, and I have willingly given my time. My goal is to become a registered nurse so that I can perform tasks that clients cannot do for themselves. I enjoy listening, working with others, and acting as a patient advocate and educator. I have a large number of nursing instructors who are wonderful, and who have had an influence on my life. I would one day like to give back what they have given to me by becoming an instructor. I know that when my goals are realized, I will be able to provide something meaningful to all of the patients.
(Adapted from University of Michigan, Financial Aid Office)