1. 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

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

3. RULES
Follow Them!

4. RULES

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Follow the RULES or risk the rejection 

9. RULES

10. RESEARCH
Do it!

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

12. 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.
Plus, the Rhodes Scholarship is big enough that a Google search of “sample Rhodes scholarship essays” provides several helpful links.

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

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

15. WRITE
Do it right!

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

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

18. WRITE

19. WRITE

20. Use Active Language And Vivid Words!
WRITE

21. • 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

22. Demonstrate your Passion.
WRITE

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

24. REVIEW

25. 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

26. REVIEW

27. REVIEW

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