Scholarship and College Application Essays

Purpose of the Essay Opportunity to provide information that supports and augments other parts of the application Adds clarity, depth and meaning to information collected in other parts of the application Helps readers know and understand applicants

Purpose of the Essay The essay helps readers determine if you have the qualities that they are looking for in their applicants. Readers receive and read thousands of essays from well rounded students with high GPA’s and numerous extra and co-curricular activities. Your job is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants.

Follow the directions in the application Get started early Write a well crafted and error free essay Be sincere Ask parents, friends, relatives, teachers etc. for suggestions How do I Write the Essay?

Avoid clichés Show don’t tell Avoid controversial subjects Try not to repeat too much information from application Avoid overused expressions such as rewarding, invaluable, beautiful etc. Avoid the negative

REMINDER While it is acceptable to receive feedback or helpful suggestions, applicants’ essays should reflect their own ideas and be written by them alone.

Steps to Writing an Effective Essay Gather Information Read Critically Develop Topic and Thesis Draft, Get Feedback, Revise

Think Like a Reader All readers have expectations of writers, revealed in readers’ questions, observations and interpretations of the application. Writers fulfill readers’ expectations by addressing these questions, observations and interpretations in the personal statement. Writers can anticipate readers’ expectations by completing and critically reading their applications prior to writing a personal statement.

Questions?