How to write an impressive scholarship essay yourself

Over the past weeks, I have made effort to show you how to secure international scholarships to help you support your education abroad.

One thing you should bear in mind is that international scholarships don’t come easy. Though they come cheap and free without any financial commitment on your part, but they don’t come easy.

And the trend is, most international scholarships require applicants to submit a scholarship essay as part of the scholarship application.

You may have come across this term ‘scholarship essay’ if you have been scouting and applying for international scholarships prior to this time.

And it may be new to you if this is your first shot at studying abroad on scholarship.

Whatever category you fall, you will be able to write a good scholarship essay by yourself once you finish reading this post.

Come to think of it, the prospect of writing a scholarship essay is the fear of many students who want to study abroad. They’re looking for how to avoid writing an essay.

I know because I’ve had personal encounters with a number of international students who ask for my help in writing a scholarship essay.

Must scholarship applicants write an essay?

Not all international scholarship providers require applicants to submit scholarship essays. Though a good number of providers require an essay as part of application for the scholarship.

And if you are looking to study in USA, Canada, or Australia, its essential you learn to write a scholarship composition.

In this case, its very important to write a good scholarship essay as its not only part of the scholarship application, its an essential part.

Bear in mind that international scholarships are very competitive. Therefore, a good scholarship essay can help put you in a leading position to be awarded a scholarship.

It is for this same reason that many international applicants have committed their essay writing into the hands of others, what they could simply do themselves.

The worst part is that most of the people they contract to help write their essay lack experience and don’t know what scholarship providers look for in an essay.

So such applicants end up not getting a scholarship due to poor essay content. Because what applicants are generally asked to write about often involve future goals and community development.

So if you can’t state clearly how you intend to make an impact with your education, its considered a scholarship isn’t a worthwhile investment on you.

Remember a scholarship means your fees and possibly living costs and other expenses will be paid by someone else. So, they demand the best – at least above average.

So in this post, I’m committed to showing you how to write a scholarship essay all by yourself. The great part is, you will find it effortless at the end.

How to write an impressive scholarship essay yourself

Before we get started, I’d like to give you a tip. The success I recorded in winning an international scholarship to study in Australia was due, in large measure, to the commanding scholarship essay I submitted.

And I have since written two other scholarship essays for funding I’m seeking in the US for higher studies. Its from all that experience I put together this guide.

I hope it helps you write a scholarship essay yourself.

1. Think on the scholarship essay topic

Unlike writing personal statements for course application, scholarship essays come with topics. What this mean is that scholarship providers give topics for international applicants to write on.

So the first thing you need to do is to think on the topic. The reason is, the topics don’t usually come direct, that is, they are seldom straightforward.

They are more logical than direct, so if you don’t take your time to think on it, you may end up writing out of point, and that’s not good for your application.

Think on the topic; ponder on it;

Walk with it;

Sleep on it; and

Wake up with it.

This shouldn’t take you more than a day.

And if you also need help with writing a personal statement, particularly those who want to study in the UK or Canada, learn how to write a good personal statement.

2. Embrace the topic

Accept the topic, and embrace it. Don’t make the mistake of rebelling it.

Saying ‘why would they every give applicants this kind of topic to write’ or ‘how do they expect applicants to write on this kind of topic’, is shooting yourself in the leg.

You might also check out:

• 5 common causes of unsuccessful scholarship application

Doing this will strip you off the ability to write the scholarship essay.

Feel good about the topic, embrace it and prepare yourself to write.

3. keep an eye on the focal point of the essay

All scholarship essay topics, regardless of how confusing it may seem at first, have a focal point.

There is a particular point you are expected to write on. So endeavor not to digress when writing.

Say you’re about to apply for a scholarship to study in America. As part of your application, you are required to submit an essay on the topic;

“what my foreign education can do to my community”

Confusing, isn’t it? But there is a lot you can write from there.

Start by thinking on it to enable you understand the topic, then embrace it by accepting it’s a topic you can write on. Start writing, keeping an eye on the main point all the time.

Let me give you a hint on that topic.

Consider why studying abroad is important to you, and how earning a degree overseas will benefit your community when you return.

You should be able to mention the developmental stride your local community and country can experience if you could just get the opportunity to study abroad.

You might also check out:

• Tips to choosing the right course to study abroad

Mention the name of your community or country and give details about where they need development. And, how the high quality education you will receive overseas can help solve identified problems.

That’s a lot to write there already, Isn’t it? Of course.

Keeping your eye on the theme of the scholarship essay will help you write meaningfully. Before you continue, just so you know; you can have me send new scholarships to your inbox if I have your email.

4. Give only important details

Don’t tell stories in your scholarship essay, go straight to the point. Scholarship essays come with maximum number of words to contain your excesses.

For example, a particular scholarship provider might ask applicants to write an essay, as part of their application, on the topic; “what I aim to achieve in my first year in college”, not exceeding 480 words.

So you see, don’t spare words to tell stories, only include details that help you write on the topic.

I won’t be giving you any scholarship essay samples on this post because that’s no helping you. That’s my response to international applicants I counsel each day.

Conclusively, you see that writing a scholarship essay isn’t as hard as often presented.

You would find you have been able to write a good essay all by yourself to study abroad if you follow this guide.

It’s this guide I used in writing my scholarship essay that earned me a scholarship to study abroad in 2016.

Moreover, you will have peace of mind knowing you have poured your heart out. That’s a honorable thing.

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Maxwell Tega

Maxwell is a Dietitian with passion for showing people hope. With nearly a decade experience helping people make key decisions on education and career, you can find him almost everywhere on this site. From answering admission and scholarship questions to creating tutorials and helping others live their best lives though nutrition. Connect with me on Twitter.