By Crystal Carlson and Amina Rahman Montgomery College Writing, Reading, and Language Center, TP/SS Saturday, October 13, 2012 How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Essay

Four R’s to a Scholarship- Winning Essay Rules ResearchwRite Review

Follow Them! RULES

How many essay requirements are listed below? The personal statement required of Rhodes applicants is an important piece of the application. In 1,000 words or less, an applicant needs to: discuss his or her academic experiences and interests lay out a clear research agenda and/or explain what he or she would like to study at Oxford University explain how his or her experiences thus far—in college and in life more generally—have led him or her to apply for this scholarship what he or she would like to do with the opportunities afforded by receipt of a Rhodes scholarship.

When the prompt is broken down, there are actually eight (8) not four (4) requirements to address! (1) In 1,000 words or less discuss his or her (2) academic experiences and (3) interests lay out a (4) clear research agenda and/or explain what he or she would like to (5) study at Oxford University explain how his or her experiences thus far—(6) in college and (7) in life more generally—have led him or her to apply for this scholarship (8) what he or she would like to do with the opportunities afforded by receipt of a Rhodes scholarship.

Follow the RULES or risk the rejection 

Do it! RESEARCH

It’s amazing what you can FIND OUT online!

The prompts we have shown you come from two very different scholarships, but both have extra information on their websites available for applicants to reference. Plus, the Rhodes Scholarship is big enough that a Google search of “sample Rhodes scholarship essays” provides several helpful links.sample Rhodes scholarship essays Samples of Results of RESEARCH:

FIGURE OUT where you want to go

How do your goals and values CONNECT with the funder’s goals and values?

Do it right! WRITE

WRITE to HOOK your readers and make them want to know more.

Instead of: “The scholarships were awarded to me because I have earned good grades and have worked as a Teaching Assistant.” Try writing: “I won academic scholarships for my high GPA and undergraduate work as a Teaching Assistant.”

Demonstrate your Passion.

Once is not enough! Neither is twice! REVIEW

Look at the Rhode sample essay in your handout. Thoroughly evaluate your essay’s structure. The writer has highlighted and labeled the answers to EACH question.

Four R’s to a Scholarship- Winning Essay Rules ResearchwRite Review