Scholarship essays or cover letters are your opportunity to communicate how being awarded a scholarship is of mutual benefit to you and your funding source. The video below gives more detailed advice. Here are some highlights to consider:
- Make sure you understand what the scholarship is asking you to do in your application. This is like understanding an assignment in a class. What are the specific things it is asking of you?
- Consider your audience. What are the main ideas you want to them to come away with and how will you communicate that?
- Consider why you are applying for the scholarship. Often, reviewers and funders will want to know about how the scholarship will open opportunities for you.
- Don't sell yourself short. Make sure to speak to what you have done, where you are now, and where you want to go.
- How are you going to stand out? There may be lots of people applying for the scholarship. Make sure you are distinctive.
- When going through the final writing stages, use some of these proofreading tips.
- At any point along the way, it can help to have someone else to generate ideas and talk with you through the actual writing. That's where the Research & Writing Studio comes in! Chat with us online, send us a draft, or visit us in-person.
