| Getting that scholarship or "acing" that college | | | | certain it will be understood. |
| entrance essay will change your life. However, writing | | | | 4) CONSTRUCTION - The essay should observe all |
| a scholarship or college admission essay can be a | | | | conventions of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. |
| traumatic and difficult experience or a challenging and | | | | One simple mistake may disqualify you, or at least |
| fulfilling one. Here are seven tips which will help you | | | | cast suspicion on your abilities. Be sure to proofread, |
| be successful. | | | | revise, and correct your essay before submitting it. |
| JUST GET STARTED | | | | "Spell check" will not catch grammar errors, incorrect |
| Writing a winning essay is not all that difficult, but it | | | | terminology, or even some spelling errors. So use it, |
| does take time. Like anything, getting started is the | | | | but don't rely on it. After your thorough proofreading, |
| toughest part. As in Toastmasters speeches, you're | | | | ask trusted friends, family or colleagues help you |
| "Breaking the Ice," by introducing yourself to your | | | | identify and correct errors. |
| audience. In this case your audience is readers not | | | | 5) CONTENT - Essays should follow the standard |
| listeners so you will have to be even more creative. | | | | protocol of: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. |
| You won't have the advantage of eye contact, | | | | Remember, the body is only supportive or |
| expressions and gestures. So you must make | | | | explanatory. Extraneous facts, opinions or positions |
| yourself stand out on paper! | | | | have no place in your final product. Your content |
| THE 7 C's | | | | should be substantive. |
| Based on experience conducting Scholarship | | | | 6) COMPLETENESS - Be certain to include everything |
| Workshops for graduating high school students, I | | | | of critical importance. Aside from completeness of |
| developed a model to help participants focus on the | | | | facts and information make certain that you have |
| essentials of the essay process. There are 7 C's to | | | | not missed key elements that will assist the reader in |
| remember and practice in your essay preparation and | | | | following your "story." Again, have trusted friends, |
| development. These are: Conformance, Competence, | | | | family or colleagues critically review your writing and |
| Completeness, Clarity, Construction, Content, and | | | | make recommendations. |
| Convincing. Your essay, in order to stand out from | | | | 7) CONVINCING - Your paper should be convincing. It |
| the others will need to include these: | | | | should reflect you; your goals passions and |
| 1) CONFORMANCE - Of course you want your essay | | | | uniqueness. You will need an "angle" something that |
| to reflect your individuality, but you must abide by | | | | will grab the reader's attention, and make them |
| the rules. This means precisely following the | | | | interested in finding out more. One important |
| requirements and guidelines provided on the | | | | consideration is to develop a great introduction, and a |
| application form. Typical requirements include: | | | | great closing. Your essay will stand out from the |
| minimum and/or maximum number of words, format, | | | | pack and gain favorable consideration if you are able |
| font size, margins, double or single spacing, etc. | | | | to accomplish this. |
| 2) COMPETENCE - You must demonstrate you're | | | | The memorable introduction and closing are a must. |
| capable of doing college level work. Your essay will | | | | Sometimes it's difficult to express your passion, |
| provide the reviewers with evidence of your writing | | | | excitement or other strong emotion on paper. |
| ability, creativity, and thought processes. It will be | | | | Remember, your essay is akin to painting a picture - |
| substantial evidence of your ability to perform at an | | | | a picture that will capture the observer's attention, |
| acceptable or superior level. | | | | interest, and emotions and convince him of your |
| 3) CLARITY - Thoughts, premises, ideas, positions, | | | | sincerity. |
| and so forth, must be clearly expressed. Ambiguity | | | | WRITE YOUR ESSAY |
| or confusion must not be demonstrated. Rather, it is | | | | Now get started. And, make it exceptional. You |
| clear thinking, and logic which will be rewarded. Be | | | | deserve that scholarship or entrance to that college. |
| sure to say exactly what you mean, and make | | | | And now you have the tools to make it happen. |