5 Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself That Got Accepted
When it comes to applying for scholarships, one of the most important components is the essay. This is your opportunity to showcase your achievements, highlight your strengths, and ultimately persuade the selection committee that you are the best candidate for the award. But how can you write a standout scholarship essay that truly sets you apart from the competition? Here are five scholarship essay examples about yourself that got accepted, along with insights and tips to help you craft your own winning essay.
1. The Storyteller
Kalamazoo College’s essay prompt for their scholarship application read, “What are your passions that could be turned into a career?” The winning essay began with the author’s journey as a young girl who loved picking up litter and evolved into her current involvement in environmental activism. The essay was engaging, introspective, and highlighted the author’s growth as a person. The takeaway? Showcasing personal growth and storytelling can be powerful tools in writing a winning scholarship essay.
2. The STEM Superstar
For the Gates Millennium Scholarship, applicants were asked to write about their academic and career goals. The winning essay discussed the author’s passion for STEM and her aspirations to become a biomedical engineer. The essay detailed her research experiences, internships, and specific coursework that contributed to her growth in the field. One of the strengths of this essay was its clear focus on the author’s career goals and how her achievements thus far have contributed to that path. The takeaway? Highlighting your achievements and how they relate to your career aspirations can make for a compelling scholarship essay.
3. The Passionate Volunteer
The Horatio Alger Scholarship asked for applicants to discuss the obstacles they have faced and how they have overcome them. The winning essay focused on the author’s experiences as a volunteer at a local nursing home. The author described the difficulty of building connections with the residents due to their declining health and cognitive abilities. However, she emphasized the joy and fulfillment she derived from spending time with them, and how this experience taught her valuable lessons about life and the importance of compassion. The takeaway? Highlighting your passions and how they have shaped your character can be a powerful means of crafting a standout scholarship essay.
4. The Multifaceted Achiever
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship asked for essays detailing the applicant’s accomplishments and their potential to make a difference in society. The winning essay discussed the author’s varied interests, ranging from singing in her school choir to conducting research in biomedicine. The essay highlighted the author’s strengths in multiple areas, ultimately arguing that these diverse passions would allow her to bring a unique perspective to whatever field she pursued. The takeaway? Emphasizing your multifaceted strengths and the potential impact they have is a powerful way to craft a standout scholarship essay.
5. The Social Justice Advocate
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship asked students to answer a range of essay prompts related to public service and leadership. The winning essay focused on the author’s passion for social justice and addressed how she had worked to create change in her community through volunteering and advocating. The essay also detailed the author’s personal experiences with discrimination and her motivation to continue fighting for justice. The takeaway? Demonstrating how your passions and values align with the scholarship’s mission can make for a compelling essay that resonates with the selection committee.
Conclusion
Crafting a standout scholarship essay is no easy feat, but the examples above demonstrate that it is possible to create a powerful and engaging essay that truly sets you apart from the competition. Whether you’re a storyteller, a STEM fanatic, a passionate volunteer, a multifaceted achiever, or a social justice advocate, there are many strategies you can use to showcase your strengths and achievements and persuade the selection committee that you are the best candidate for the scholarship. So take inspiration from these essays and start crafting your own standout scholarship essay today!
