Most of the time, the scholarship essay is a crucial part in the application process. This is where the aspiring applicant will be asked to discuss more about his views, goals, experiences and intention to apply. This is normally a 4- to 5-paragraph essay, depending on the explicit instructions of the program. The readers view the fundamental patterns of an essay and they expect a lot from the applicants. The essay must be the window to personal motivations, summary of the current field, research works, background, long term goals and how all of these have brought up the interest in applying for the program. A good writer communicates effectively to its readers and consistently engaging them in every paragraph. Before submitting an essay, make sure to proofread and have other people read it first. Here are ten sample scholarship essays to serve as your guide:
10. Geological Sciences
The sample essay of a student applying for a scholarship, the opening paragraph was written containing his hometown in Canada and his fascination for Canadian geography. He also mentioned that he was currently in his senior year, taking up B.S. in computer science and engineering plus a minor in geographic information systems; hence, his interest in taking up graduate studies at the University of Alberta. In the second and third paragraph, the student discussed further his skills and graduate research project. His long-term goals are indicated in the fourth paragraph and related it to the university’s strength in his chosen field at the closing paragraph.
9. Geography Student
The short essay written by a geography student applying for an internship program opens her introductory paragraph stating her previously limited view of geography. This view was changed when she enrolled in the human geography class. She took the challenge by understanding geography in the perspective of a true geographer. In the second paragraph, she further discussed her gained skills in Geographic Information Sciences and her Honor Thesis. She stated her long-term goals in the third paragraph and honestly mentioned that getting to participate in the program will fulfill her dreams at the closing paragraph.
8. Materials Sciences Student
The author of this short essay is a master’s student applying for scholarship at an internal fellowship. The challenge for this author is to convince the panel members that already know him that he is worth their financial support for his graduate education. In this opening paragraph, he cited the specific goals of his research group and his areas of interest. This was followed by two paragraphs discussing his previous work experience, his discoveries and how he thinks the Mythic University will help him reach his goals. The closing paragraph summarizes his long-term goals and his previous experience.
7. Teach for America
The Teach for America program provides special scholarships to recruited members who have completed the two-year commitment of teaching underprivileged rural and urban public schools. This student applying for the program must convince its target readers by answering two essay questions. The first question is about her intention of joining the program, while the second question asks about how she can be an effective member of the group. She has successfully convinced the readers by using examples connected to her previous service mission work in Ecuador prior to entering college.
6. Neuroscience Student
This sample essay by a neuroscience student uses the narrative technique on the opening paragraph, telling a story on working in a laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. She discussed further in the following paragraphs how the internship program was able to strongly motivate her in learning more about the field of neuroscience. She cited the three undergraduate research experiences, along with her interests in immunology, genetics, biochemistry and pathology. She closed the essay stating her interest to live in an urban setting and the academically rich environment at the UPenn.
5. Medieval Literature Student
This sample essay written by a medieval literature student immerses the readers about medieval literature and citing Irish medieval manuscripts. The student discusses more about her true passion for medieval literature through examples and strong words used. In the later paragraphs, the student repeatedly cited two mentors and professors, noting how these people have helped her mold her academic goals.
4. Beinecke Scholarship Essay
This junior applying for the Beinecke Scholarship program faced a really tight competition in the hopes of being awarded $34,000 towards the senior year and graduate school. The author had a theme-based approach on the essay and further projects toward graduate school with confidence. The student has a strong sense of self-definition in the essay with a compelling personal story. She described in the later paragraphs how the experiences have inspired her to a proposed thesis research as well as her goal of becoming a policy analyst for the Department of Education.
3. Online Education Student
The author of this essay managed to trigger intrigue on the readers on how this member of the military fits into the online graduate study. The essay was written during the height of conflict in the US and Iraq. This Air Force pilot of seven years wanted to focus on academics than succeeding battles and missions. The author used his military experience as well as vocabulary to introduce himself to the committee members while focusing on his interest in applying for Geographic Information Systems.
2. Engineer Applying to a Master’s Program
The author of this essay is an engineer with years of experience and opens his statement describing his previous experience as a teenage in a meat packaging plant. This experience has motivated him to work in the safety and health field. The writer wishes to maintain his job while advancing his education by getting into the master’s program. He proves this capability by citing examples of both personal and professional success. The writer further discussed his goals and becoming a Certified Industrial Hygienist.
1. Paleontology Student
This paleontology student has opened up his introduction by stating his deep passion for fossils and his love for vertebrates; thus, his dedication to study vertebrate paleontology. The student further expounded his passion by providing a short but rich discussion on how he preferred focusing on paleontology for his thesis project. The essay progresses in the third paragraph, stating further his deep passion on vertebrate paleontology, his research interests and long term goals. The student ended up the essay by telling how the program at the University of Chicago would be of great help in his aspirations.
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