How do you write a personal statement for a college scholarship?
The personal statement is basically a way for you to discuss why you should get the scholarship. Choose a personal experience that relates to an academic-related positive character trait (hard-working, for example) and elaborate on how your experience affected you.
Also, make sure to include your personal "voice" when writing the statement. The essays written for english are often impersonal literary discussions, which is not the type of writing you want here. Make your paper interesting to read.
Marth is correct.
And if you need more information, be sure to read and study these sites:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html
http://blog.eduify.com/index.php/2009/11/19/college-personal-statement-essay/
Writing a personal statement for a college scholarship requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Understand the scholarship requirements: Begin by thoroughly reading and understanding the scholarship guidelines. Pay close attention to the purpose of the scholarship, eligibility criteria, and any specific prompts or themes outlined.
2. Reflect on your experiences and goals: Take some time to reflect on your educational journey, extracurricular activities, accomplishments, and personal values. Consider how these experiences have shaped your goals and aspirations for the future.
3. Outline your statement: Before you start writing, create an outline to organize your thoughts and ideas. This will help ensure that your statement has a clear structure and flows smoothly. Identify main points you want to address and supporting details or examples to include.
4. Start with a compelling introduction: Grab the reader's attention with an engaging and personal introduction. You may consider using a captivating anecdote, a thought-provoking quote, or a powerful statement that reflects your passion.
5. Highlight your achievements: Describe your academic achievements, leadership roles, community service involvement, or any other noteworthy experiences. Focus on demonstrating the skills, values, and qualities that make you a strong candidate for the scholarship.
6. Connect to the scholarship's mission: Show a clear connection between your personal goals and the mission or values of the scholarship organization. Explain how receiving the scholarship aligns with your aspirations and how you plan to use the opportunity to make a positive impact.
7. Be genuine and authentic: Write in your own voice and be genuine about your experiences and motivations. Avoid clichés or using overly complex language that may dilute your message. Be honest, passionate, and sincere throughout your personal statement.
8. Showcase personal growth and resilience: If relevant, discuss any challenges or obstacles you have overcome, as well as the lessons you've learned from them. This demonstrates your ability to persevere and shows the scholarship committee your resilience.
9. Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate your enthusiasm for the scholarship opportunity. End on a positive and confident note, providing the committee with a lasting impression.
10. Edit and revise: Once you have completed a draft, make sure to proofread and edit your personal statement for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. Ask for feedback from teachers, mentors, or trusted individuals to help you refine your statement. Revise it multiple times until you are satisfied with the final version.
Remember, the personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and convince the committee why you deserve the scholarship. Putting effort into the writing process and remaining true to yourself will strengthen your application.