Scholarship Essay Tips

Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for your personal statement or scholarship essay:

  1. DO: Make sure your essay is absolutely perfect in spelling and grammar.

  2. DO: Write an engaging and coherent essay.

  3. DO: Be positive and concentrate on your strengths. If you must discuss something negative, focus on what you learned and how that applies to your future.

  4. DO: Include concrete examples to illustrate your main points and show your strengths.

  5. DO: Type your essay and have someone else proofread, such as English faculty in the Writing Center (Technology Center, T217).

  6. DO: Read the directions carefully. Follow any formatting guidelines exactly.

  7. DON'T: Go overboard in details about yourself or a particular point. Keep your writing succinct and relevant to the question(s) asked.

  8. DON'T: Write a list of activities, awards or accomplishments. Choose the ones that are most important and share the most relevant information about you.

  9. DON'T: Try to be funny. You don't want to take the risk they won't get the joke.

  10. DON'T: Write what you think the committee wants to hear.

How To Write A Great Personal Statement

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