3 min
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,” states a famous saying by Paulo Coelho. Now you probably want a scholarship, don’t you? If not the whole universe, at least the Internet helps you achieve this goal, by providing these three amazing scholarship essay examples by Custom-writing.org to gain a better understanding of how your paper should look like.
Though your main idea (“Please, give me this scholarship”) is clear from the very beginning, you need to find the best way to express it in your paper. There are three main approaches to scholarship applications for college students:
🙋♂️ | Focus on yourself – your unique qualities, skills, and achievements. |
💸 | Focus on your financial needs – financial hardships caused by personal circumstances. |
🎯 | Focus on your career goals – the prospects after getting a scholarship. |
Below you’ll find a “tell me about yourself” scholarship essay example, as well as ones focused on career goals and financial needs. Feel free to choose any of these approaches, but beware of the potential pitfalls of each of them.
Contents
🙋♂️ Example #1 (Yourself)
(Video) How To Write Scholarship Essays (2022) | How I Won Several Scholarships Using the SAME Essay!!💸 Example #2 (Your Financial Need)
✏️ FAQ
🔗 References
🙋♂️ Scholarship Essay Example Focusing on Yourself
❗ | Beware of the pitfall: avoid shameless self-promotion and memoir writing style. Mention only relevant and significant details of your biography and life views. |
Below is a scholarship essay sample that focuses on personal interests and aspirations.
Scholarship Essay Example #1
Example:
My Mom says that I decided to become a doctor when I was only five years old. Of course, I do not remember when and why this idea came to me. But as the years were passing by, my intention to become a doctor became firmer.
I had two beautiful examples before my eyes – my grandfather and my Biology teacher, who inspired me to choose nursing as a profession. My grandfather is a great doctor who saved hundreds of lives. Even today, when he is already retired, his former patients come to see him and ask him for a piece of advice. He devoted his entire life to serving people, and his effort was not in vain. Looking at his glowing eyes when the grandfather is telling me how he saved soldiers during the Second World War, I understand that there is no other profession more rewarding and inspiring than nursing.
Whereas my grandfather showed me the spiritual side of this noblest profession, my Biology teacher, Mrs. Stevens, cultivated my love for knowledge and my interest in the latest innovations in the field.
Comment: The essay is persuasive because the applicant provides specific details and shares his/her true feelings and emotions.
💸 Scholarship Essay Sample Focusing on Your Financial Need
❗ | Beware of the pitfall: do not demand sympathy, but rather focus on how you succeed in overcoming hardships. |
Here is a scholarship essay sample that discusses the applicant’s financial needs, using the appropriate tone.
Scholarship Essay Example #2
Example:
Friedrich Nietzsche said that what does not kill us makes us stronger. I learned this simple principle in my early childhood when my parents gave me all the love in the world, but could not afford any pocket money. By overcoming our financial hardships, I learned the key life values, and I hardened my willpower. I know how to save and manage money, and I will become a good economist.
Regardless of our family’s income, the expenses on my younger sister’s treatment took the most significant part of our budget. Susie has a rare genetic disease, and my parents had to consult the best doctors and buy expensive medicine to improve her condition. I started working early and know the true price of every penny. Yet, my parents gave me much more than a ticket to the cinema or a birthday party with tens of friends – they gave me a real understanding of what is valuable in life.
Friedrich Nietzsche said that what does not kill us makes us stronger. I learned this simple principle in my early childhood when my parents gave me all the love in the world, but could not afford any pocket money. By overcoming our financial hardships, I learned the key life values, and I hardened my willpower. I know how to save and manage money, and I will become a good economist.
Regardless of our family’s income, the expenses on my younger sister’s treatment took the most significant part of our budget. Susie has a rare genetic disease, and my parents had to consult the best doctors and buy expensive medicine to improve her condition. I started working early and know the true price of every penny. Yet, my parents gave me much more than a ticket to the cinema or a birthday party with tens of friends – they gave me a real understanding of what is valuable in life.
Comment: The applicant chooses the right tone, revealing his/her maturity and an active life position. Instead of complaining about hardships, s/he tells how s/he overcame them and how this hardened her will.
🎯 Scholarship Essay Example Focusing on Your Career Goals
❗ | Beware of the pitfall: avoid creating the image of a superhero. Be realistic and do not promise to save humanity or “make the difference” in the field, like thousands of students write in their papers. |
Here is an example of a scholarship essay that discusses the applicant’s plans.
Scholarship Essay Example #3
Example:
Just like a chess player, I prefer to have a long-term strategy as my plan. That’s why I have chosen law as my future profession when I was in middle school. I concentrated my effort on learning the related subjects, and I became rather knowledgeable in the field. And now, when I work on this personal statement, I already start making plans for my further professional development.
I understand that it is impossible to become a good lawyer overnight. Moreover, even a diploma does not guarantee truly valuable professional skills and knowledge. Professionalism in any field requires a substantial investment of time and effort. Due to the ever-changing laws with their numerous amendments, this field is especially demanding. Continuous self-education and communication with more experienced colleagues are critical for becoming a good lawyer…
Comment: The applicant mentions his/her current achievements, but is realistic about the need for further self-education and self-improvement.
Now, as you have these three wonderful examples of scholarship essays, you won’t have difficulties generating ideas for your own papers. Choose the most appropriate option, avoid the common pitfalls, and write a truly convincing scholarship essay sample!
✏️ Scholarship Essay FAQ
❓ How to write a scholarship letter about yourself?
To write a good application for a scholarship, make sure that your essay proves your strong motivation. Include relevant details about your education, acquired skills, practical experience (perhaps you already have work history). For a college, it’s vital that they see a responsible and motivated candidate.
❓ How to start a scholarship essay about yourself?
To begin an application, you do not necessarily need to be creative. It’s OK to introduce yourself, write about your education and work experience (if applicable). Then, say something along the lines: “I am strongly motivated to get the scholarship because…”
❓ How to describe yourself in a scholarship essay?
In that type of essay, your aim is to introduce and kind of sell yourself. Thus, write about relevant details of your educational and work background. Talk about the skills you’ve acquired. Highlight your strong motivation for further development (within the program you apply for).
❓ What is a personal hardship essay?
It is a paper that deals with your motivation to get some kind of assistance/scholarship. It explains the reasons, typically some life circumstances, that make you unable to pay for the educational program (for example). In that essay, you write about yourself and why you deserve assistance.
🔗References
About Author
This article was developed by the editorial team of Custom-Writing.org, a professional writing service with 3-hour delivery.
FAQs
How do you start a scholarship essay about yourself? ›
Start by introducing yourself and your educational status. Then jump into the main topic of the essay. You may not have room to mention how the scholarship will help your education. Instead, mention how your education can help your career.
How do I tell myself about a scholarship? ›Tell us about yourself.
Highlight your achievements, personality traits, skills, and experiences that will make you an ideal candidate for the scholarship. You can start with a brief bio or highlight key points on your resume.
This will cover just about everything you need to say: Life experiences and circumstances that have led you to choose your educational and career goals; Reasons for choosing these goals or experiences which have influenced your decisions; What have you done and what are you doing now in your life to achieve your goals; ...
Why do I deserve this scholarship examples? ›Example One – Academic Goals:
I believe I deserve this scholarship because it will help me achieve my future plans and long-term goals. By furthering my education in biology, I can work towards my career goals in the medical field.
I have faced several challenges over the years, from dyslexia to homelessness; yet I continued to earn exemplary grades and graduate at the top of my class. I deserve this scholarship because I have the strength and determination to achieve my goals, no matter what hurdles I have to overcome.
What is the best answer for Tell me about yourself example? ›Every good answer to “tell me about yourself” should consist of: Work - This should make up about 80% of your answer. Focus on your previous experience and accomplishments here. Academic - 10-15% of your answer should then be about your academic background (university, academic achievements, etc.).
What is a good answer to tell me about yourself? ›Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.
How do you introduce yourself in a scholarship interview example? ›Introduce yourself
They have seen only your scholarship application. When introducing yourself in this interview, you should focus mostly on two things: Your dream to study at the particular college. Your financial situation which does not allow you to follow your dream.
- Start on your personal statement early. ...
- Be clear. ...
- Get personal. ...
- Make it authentic. ...
- Be careful with humor and clichés. ...
- Be reflective. ...
- Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.
Tell us about yourself
They are looking for specifics, not generalities. You can start with something general about yourself and then narrow it to a specific anecdote or point. This is also a good opportunity to highlight important and applicable skill sets. Example: “I'm really passionate about animals.
How do you sell yourself in an essay? ›
- Use Action Verbs.
- Number-ize.
- Impact, not Responsibilities.
- Find the 'Special'
- Build your confidence.
- List your 3 greatest strengths.
- Other things you can do:
Don't use words like “finally”, “in sum” or “in conclusion”. Don't repeat or sum up in any way. Don't start too many sentences with the word “I”. Don't tell the reader explicitly, “I am a unique and interesting person.” Instead, let the reader glean this from your unique and interesting essay.
How do you start a personal essay example? ›Start your personal essay with a brief introduction to the topic. Explain the main goal of your story, express your outlook on the subject and describe what results the reader will get at the end of the essay. Close this paragraph with a catchy thesis statement.
What are 3 reasons why applying for scholarships is a good idea? ›Benefits of Starting a Scholarship
Covering those rising costs may be difficult. A scholarship program may require you to fill out the FAFSA if it's a need based award. Scholarships may fill the financial gap for some families. They may help students with unmet financial need or be based on merit.
- I am passionate about my work. ...
- I am ambitious and driven. ...
- I am highly organised. ...
- I am a people person. ...
- I am a natural leader. ...
- I am result oriented. ...
- I am an excellent communicator.
- I am lovable.
- I am a good person.
- I deserve to be.
- I am responsible for my own happiness.
- I profoundly and deeply accept myself.
- I have realistic expectations of myself.
- My opinion of me is more important than others' opinion of me.
If you are not sure what to share, your name and job title is a great place to start. If there's an opportunity to elaborate, you can also share other details such as a current project, your expertise, or your geographical location.
Can you tell me little about yourself? ›A simple formula for answering “Tell me about yourself”
Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps a big recent accomplishment. Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience that's relevant to the job and company you're applying for.
- “I'm shy, please come say hi.” ...
- A name is worth a thousand conversations. ...
- Highlight something that makes you unique. ...
- Start with a pop culture reference. ...
- Confess your nickname. ...
- Let the way you dress reflect who you are. ...
- Make a T-shirt. ...
- Make a “business” card.
Example Sentences
She got a scholarship to Yale University. The organization is offering five $5,000 scholarships. The essay is a work of serious scholarship. The book is about his life and scholarship.
What happens if you lie on a scholarship essay? ›
Lying on scholarship applications could result in serious academic consequences, as well as damage to your reputation. Most likely, you would have to return the scholarship funds and possibly face suspension or expulsion.
What words should you avoid in a personal statement? ›- Passionate. Possibly the most overused word when it comes to personal statements. ...
- Team player. You're a team player and can also work well individually? ...
- Watching TV. ...
- Extensive. ...
- Also. ...
- Jokes and puns. ...
- Expert. ...
- Overly long words.
College essays are not a forum to brag. While many students choose to brag, our students don't because, ultimately, you want to come across as likable to college admissions counselors. Nobody likes braggarts.
How do I make my personal statement unique? ›...
- Add your transferable skills to your personal statement. ...
- Include some anecdotes. ...
- Don't leave out your difficulties. ...
- Vary your language.
Avoid starting your essay with quotes; those are somebody else's words, not your own. Instead, use your own words and let your personality shine in the essay. Avoid obvious statements such as “I am interested in this scholarship.” Avoid introducing yourself.
How do you win scholarships? ›- Create an accomplishments resume. ...
- Don't miss deadlines. ...
- Complete the scholarship matching profile thoroughly. ...
- Apply to as many scholarships as possible. ...
- Look for scholarship listing books. ...
- Find local scholarships on bulletin boards. ...
- Tap into family connections.
- 1) Contractions. ...
- 2) Idioms. ...
- 3-5) “So on,” “etc,” “and so forth“ ...
- 6) Clichés. ...
- 7-11) “Thing,” “stuff,” “good,” “bad,” “big“ ...
- 12) Slang, jargon, teen speak. ...
- 13) Rhetorical questions. ...
- 14-17) “In terms of,” “needless to say,” “in conclusion,” “it goes without saying“
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction. It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it's interesting. To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader's curiosity.
What is a good introduction sentence for an essay? ›Think of your first sentence as a hook that draws your reader in. As you have researched your topic, you have probably discovered many interesting anecdotes, quotes, or trivial facts; these make great hooks to use for an engaging introduction.
How do you start a scholarship writing? ›- Start the essay writing process early. ...
- Understand the scholarship provider's overall mission and purpose. ...
- Follow the scholarship essay instructions. ...
- Steer clear from essay topics that focus on negativity or pessimism. ...
- Don't be afraid to get personal. ...
- Seek out writing advice and feedback.
How do you introduce yourself in a scholarship cover letter? ›
Start your cover letter by drafting the introductory paragraph, stating your name and why you want the scholarship grant. State how the grant could improve your prospects and educational opportunities or how the sponsoring organization relates to your professional or academic interests.
How should I end my scholarship essay? ›- Recall your introduction.
- Build on past points, don't repeat them.
- Discuss your plans for the future.
- Thank your reader for their time.
- Remember to proofread!
- Plan ahead. Don't procrastinate! ...
- Talk about your accomplishments. Be clear and to the point. ...
- State your need. What is your financial situation? ...
- Keep it simple. Don't use unnecessary words (i.e., don't use three words when one will do) ...
- Make it easy on your reader.
- Raise Your GPA for More Scholarships. Many scholarships have requirements surrounding GPA levels. ...
- Raise Your ACT / SAT Score. ...
- Raise Your Class Rank. ...
- File the FAFSA. ...
- Participate in Community Service. ...
- Brush Up on Your Essay Skills.
Tell them why it matters
Let them know how their help and your education fits into your future plans. Explain how their scholarship is going to help you reach your future goals. Does this application give you the opportunity to take on an internship that will give you valuable experience, instead of having to work?
- I don't think we've met (before).
- I think we've already met.
- My name is ...
- I'm ...
- Nice to meet you; I'm ...
- Pleased to meet you; I'm ...
- Let me introduce myself; I'm ...
- I'd like to introduce myself; I'm ...
- Morning! I don't think we've met before, I'm Aryan.
- Hey there! I'm Surya. I'm new—I just moved to the building a couple of days ago. ...
- Hi Amy. I heard it's your first day so I thought I could reach out and introduce myself. We haven't officially met but I'll be working with you on this project.