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How to Write a Compelling Scholarship Essay

A lot of people associate all college athletes with full-ride athletic scholarships. But in truth, scores of athletes depend on scholarships won in a non-athletic context.

When you sit down to apply for a scholarship, know that there are tricks to writing a persuasive essay. That's the bad news: there are tricks. The good news is that the playbook is short, and that "tricks" here really means "guidelines." You don't have to be an expert writer to tell your story successfully. Which takes us to the first guideline:

1. It's your story. Your history and experience are personal, and so you need to write in a tone that is both professional and personal. Your essay will be read by real people; as you compose it, write to a real person who is familiar to you. Think of someone you know and respect, and imagine your words are for them.

2. Check your spelling. Essays with typos or grammar mistakes are dismissed out of hand-there are many candidates to choose from, and that type of error indicates carelessness. Compose your essay in a piece of software (such as Microsoft Word, several different email programs, and others) that highlights misspellings and grammar mistakes.

3. Answer the questions. Sound obvious? It is. But it's remarkable how often scholarship essays never directly answer the questions that were asked. If, for example, the essay asks you to describe your education goals,

Do not write only about your life history.

Do write about the skills you're excited to learn in school, and then about how well you'll use those skills down the line.

4. No sob stories. If you have an interesting story, share it! However, focus on the positive, and be goal-oriented-any personal history you reveal should have something to do with the scholarship.

Let's say, just for example, that you grew up in a crowded household with lots of siblings and a sick parent and not much money. If you would use the scholarship to get a Nursing degree, you might mention your upbringing to illustrate your lifelong instinct for helping people in need.

5. State your goals & stay positive. Lay out the specifics: which college you will attend, what kind of undergraduate degree you want to get, and what profession you plan to break into. Being very direct in your writing indicates that you are driven. You may have your doubts about your future, of course (we all do). But write as though you know you will succeed. Because you can, and you will.