unlocking your future: the key to scholarships

Brittany Palmer

How to craft a memorable scholarship essay

Common Application Features

Resume or Activities list Reference letters Transcript Supporting materials Letter and/or essay Poll question

©2011 Unlock your Future

The Importance of the Essay

Your opportunity Express your voice and personality


Scholarship Essays are Possible

Length Range from 200 to 1200 Average: 500 words

you One strong essay


Essay Themes

Extracurricular and Community Work Describe an activity that you are passionate about and why.

Challenges Describe a time you challenged yourself by taking on a task/project

that was beyond your scope and capability at the time. Why did you

do it? What happened?

Leadership and Initiative Describe how your community and school involvement has

contributed to your development as a leader?


Selecting a Topic

What is something unique about you? What highlights your strength? What makes you stand out as a scholarship candidate?


Major Themes

Well rounded Demonstrate initiative and leadership Involved in school and community


Selecting a Topic

What is something unique about you? What highlights your strengths? What makes you stand out as a scholarship candidate? What is your passion?

Discuss something you care about Poll question ©2011 Unlock your Future

The Introduction

Critical component Captivate the reader immediately

#1 item to avoid: Regurgitating the essay question

How to tackle the introduction? Different strategies


Tell a story

The power of a story: Adds an original and personal element

What story to tell? Important moment in your life


Example: Important Moment

His gift safely tucked under his arm, the man heads toward the door. He sees the girl: a smile creases his weathered face, one familiar with the touch of time. He extends his hands, enclosing the girl's with his frail fingers as he you." I have never forgotten that man. Nor the others like him I have met over the past eight years through the Feed the Less Fortunate program.


Tell a story

The power of a story: Adds an original and personal element

What story to tell? Important moment in your life OR Simply transform your topic into a narrative


Example: Narrative

Instead of saying how you enjoy being in choir, you can say:

A calm settles over me as I step onto the stage. The glow of the spotlight warms me as I look over the darkened audience. Butterflies slowly fade as I raise the microphone and sing the first note. Music is my vehicle for expression that has made an incredible impact on my life.


Start with a Strong Statement

Begin your essay with an assertive statement Clear and concise Set the stage for a powerful essay


Example: Strong Statement

I am a dedicated leader. Throughout my high school career I have evolved into a community minded individual with a passion for creating positive change within my school and community.


Compare and Contrast

Question Discuss an activity that you are passionate about and why

Topic

Being a member of the school football team


Regurgitating the Question

I am I attend practices where I train and work alongside my teammates. I play in weekly games and enjoy being on the field. Football is something that I am passionate about.


Telling a Story

I hear the dull roar of the crowd in the background as I sprint down the field. Alert and ready, I feel the adrenaline rush through me and anticipation tingle down my spine. The thunder of cleats echoes behind me as the ball falls into my hands and I focus on my destination. With a final burst of energy, I cross into the end zone: touchdown. This is football and this is my passion.


Strong Statement

The field is my second home. Football is ingrained into every aspect of my life and has shaped me into the dedicated leader that I am today. Through endless hours of grueling practices, studying play books and building team relationships, my commitment to the sport has transformed into my true passion.


Two Working Introductions

Can be helpful Alternate as necessary

What to do when asked for a letter?


The Essay Framework

Reflect on how experiences have impacted your life: 1) What you have learned

2) How you have used those skills in other areas of your life:

positive impacts 1) How you plan to continue to grow with those skills at

your post-‐secondary institution


Tie it Together: The Conclusion

As important as the introduction Finish strong: leave a lasting impression Reiterate your strengths Reference your future


Future Reference

I see only potential for growth within myself. By nurturing this through my years at university, I have the utmost confidence that I will cultivate my place in the world and continue to bloom as a community-‐minded individual inspired by the possibilities and devoted to exploring them.


Future Career Path

Poll question Do not be concerned if you have not decided on your future career Helpful exercise:

Make a list of your top 3 potential fields Brainstorm at least 2 reasons why that career is of interest to you


Emphasize your Strengths

An essay is no time to be humble Articulate your strengths

Important life skill Use commanding language


Maintain Balance

While articulating your strengths, be mindful of tone Such a thing as over-‐confidence You do not want to appear arrogant or cocky


Do your Research

Research the institution/organization Who are they? What is their mission statement?

Brainstorm connections Incorporate this into your conclusion


Break Down the Question

Break down the essay question

Answer a series of smaller questions first

Structure the questions around the

essay framework


Breaking Down the Question: Example

Discuss the role education has played in your life:

What does education mean to you in one word?

What are three valuable life skills you have learned?

How have you used these skills in other ways?

How will these skills assist you as you begin your

post-‐secondary journey?


Edit, Edit, Edit!

Make every sentence count Respect the word count

Constantly ask yourself: How is this relevant?

Pay close attention to grammar and spelling Ask others for feedback


Multiple Drafts

Embrace the concept of multiple drafts Do not agonize over word choice

Result: frustration and a blank screen

Key: get your thoughts on paper


Word Choice

Notice that you repeat the same word often? Use resources to expand your vocabulary Utilize online thesaurus or dictionary Longest word best choice


Make your Essay Work for You

Create a dynamic template

Extract paragraphs so they can stand alone

Certain applications have a series of smaller

questions

For example:

The Loran Award

The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award ©2011 Unlock your Future

Unlock your Future

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Over 30 colour pages Step-‐by-‐step guide through the entire UYF program Conquering common scholarship fears Understanding the basics Definitions and differences of key terms How to create your own leadership opportunities How to build your scholarship foundation Creating your Activities and Accomplishments list Scholarship records log Organization system Where to find scholarships Key elements of applications and how to navigate them Importance of reference letters How to craft a memorable essay Essay themes and essay examples Three essay template worksheets Scholarship application checklist The scholarship interview *Available for purchase online*

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unlocking your future: the key to scholarships

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