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Sadie
Student
Saint Peters, Missouri
3
Questions
Asked
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What do the jurors look for when they judge essay entries for scholarships?
I have a few scholarships lined up that I want to sign up for that require writing a short essay. I just want to make sure I am doing the best so I can be chosen for the reward.
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Jana Connelly
Forensic Accounting Consulting
1
Answer
Land O' Lakes, Florida
Updated
Jana’s Answer
Hello!
I'm part of the scholarship committee for a local non-profit, and I review essays every year. Here are some tips from my personal experience that might help you:
1. Be genuine. It's easy to spot when a student's essay is what they think the reviewer wants to hear instead of their own true thoughts and experiences. It's even more obvious when AI is used to write an essay that doesn't feel real. When you check your essay for grammar and punctuation, ask yourself, "Does this sound like me?" Tools like Grammarly Plus can help with tone and delivery, but there are also free resources available.
2. Stay on topic. This includes sticking to word and page limits. As a scholarship essay reviewer, we might have hundreds or even thousands of essays to read, so we often start by eliminating those that didn't follow the topic or prompt. If you're unsure about the essay topic, don't hesitate to reach out to whoever is offering the scholarship! Also, remember to meet the deadline.
3. Give it your best shot. During my time with the local non-profit, there were years when we received only one scholarship application. Even if the essay wasn't perfect or fully on topic, that student still received the scholarship because they put in their best effort. You never know what might work in your favor, so go ahead and apply!
I'm part of the scholarship committee for a local non-profit, and I review essays every year. Here are some tips from my personal experience that might help you:
1. Be genuine. It's easy to spot when a student's essay is what they think the reviewer wants to hear instead of their own true thoughts and experiences. It's even more obvious when AI is used to write an essay that doesn't feel real. When you check your essay for grammar and punctuation, ask yourself, "Does this sound like me?" Tools like Grammarly Plus can help with tone and delivery, but there are also free resources available.
2. Stay on topic. This includes sticking to word and page limits. As a scholarship essay reviewer, we might have hundreds or even thousands of essays to read, so we often start by eliminating those that didn't follow the topic or prompt. If you're unsure about the essay topic, don't hesitate to reach out to whoever is offering the scholarship! Also, remember to meet the deadline.
3. Give it your best shot. During my time with the local non-profit, there were years when we received only one scholarship application. Even if the essay wasn't perfect or fully on topic, that student still received the scholarship because they put in their best effort. You never know what might work in your favor, so go ahead and apply!