How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Essay By Sandra Grady and Lesley Vossen Montgomery College Writing, Reading, and Language Center, TP/SS Saturday, October 26, 2013

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

RULES Follow Them!

RULES

How does that answer my question? RULES How does that answer my question?

How many essay requirements are listed below? 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.

RULES 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 

RULES

RESEARCH Do it!

It’s amazing what you can FIND OUT online! RESEARCH It’s amazing what you can FIND OUT online!

Samples of Results of RESEARCH: 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. http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx http://www.rhodesscholar.org/applying-for-the-scholarship Plus, the Rhodes Scholarship is big enough that a Google search of “sample Rhodes scholarship essays” provides several helpful links.

FIGURE OUT where you want to go RESEARCH FIGURE OUT where you want to go

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

WRITE Do it right!

It’s time to bust out your best WRITING moves! WRITE

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

WRITE

WRITE

Use Active Language And Vivid Words! WRITE

• 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.” WRITE

Demonstrate your Passion. WRITE

Once is not enough! Neither is twice! REVIEW Once is not enough! Neither is twice!

REVIEW

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

REVIEW

REVIEW

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