johnson scholarship essay prompts

Scholarship Essay Writing

Scholarship Essay Prompts

Most Popular Scholarship Essay Prompts & Questions

11 min read

Published on: May 16, 2023

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

Popular Colleges Scholarship Prompts We Cover

In this article, we provide you with the best and most commonly used essay prompts for the following colleges.

College scholarship essay prompts
Robertson scholarship essay prompts
Park scholarship essay prompts
Vanderbilt scholarship essay prompts
Easy scholarship essay prompts
UCLA alumni scholarship essay prompts
Gilman scholarship essay prompts
Johnson scholarship essay prompts

Feel free to choose any and start writing your scholarship essay or personal statement and show the admission committee why you indeed deserve the financial aid. Make sure to follow the proper scholarship essay format when you are answering these questions.

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Current Scholarship Essay Prompts - 2024

Discuss a current global issue and explain how you would propose a solution to address it.
Describe a personal experience that influenced your decision to pursue a particular field of study.
How have you overcome a significant challenge in your life, and how has it impacted your personal growth?
Share a time when you demonstrated leadership and the impact it had on those around you.
Discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in today's society and how you have contributed to promoting these values.
Describe your career aspirations and how you plan to achieve them.
Discuss a book, movie, or other piece of media that has had a significant impact on your life and explain why.
Share a time when you had to work with someone with a different perspective or background, and how you navigated those differences.
Discuss a community service project you have participated in and the impact it had on the community.
Explain the importance of financial literacy and how you plan to manage your finances in the future.

List of Best College Scholarship Essay Prompts

Here are the most common scholarship essay question examples that you can find on most college applications in the US.

Tell us about yourself.
How will this scholarship help you?
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
How will you make a difference in our world?
Describe a volunteer experience?
Why do you need this scholarship?
Describe a challenge you have overcome.
Who do you admire the most?
Why do you deserve this scholarship?
Briefly describe your short- and long-term goals.
What are your academic and future goals?
Tell us about a time when you had failed in something.
What makes you unique?
Does any quality or attribute distinguish you from others?
What are your most important extracurricular activities?
What is your biggest strength and weakness?
What are your greatest accomplishments?
What are your strongest personality traits?
How has your education contributed to who you are today?
What is your most prominent achievement, and how does it relate to your field of study?

Additional Scholarship Essay Prompts

Describe a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone and take a risk. What did you learn from the experience?
How have your experiences with diversity and inclusivity shaped your perspective and goals?
What motivates you to pursue your academic and career goals, and how do you stay focused on them?
Describe a moment when you faced adversity and how you overcame it.
How have your family, cultural background, or community influenced your values and beliefs?
Discuss a book, movie, or event that has impacted your life and explain why.
What is the most significant challenge facing your generation, and what solutions would you propose to address it?
Describe a time when you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience?
What impact do you hope to make in your chosen field or industry, and how will this scholarship help you achieve that goal?

Describe a mentor or role model who has inspired you and explain why.

General Scholarship Essay Topics

Here are some more random scholarship essay topics that you can choose from

A person who has a major influence on your life
Things you have done outside of the classroom that has demonstrated your skills
Have you struggled for something and succeeded?
What leadership qualities do you have?
Why do you want to be a ___?
How do you define leadership?
Describe the importance of a good teammate?
What do you expect to gain from a college degree?
What does success means to you?
A book that has affected you deeply

The 16 Most Popular Scholarship Questions

We have compiled a list of the 16 most popular scholarship questions and how to effectively address them. Let's take a look!

1. Career How will this scholarship help you achieve your career goals?

When addressing this prompt, discuss your future career aspirations and how the scholarship will support your academic and professional pursuits. Highlight any relevant experiences, skills, or certifications that will contribute to your success.

2. Catch-All Why do you deserve this scholarship?

This prompt allows you to discuss your overall qualifications and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the scholarship. Discuss your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service, and future goals.

3. Challenges Discuss a personal or academic challenge you have overcome and how it has shaped you.

When addressing this prompt, be honest and open about a challenge you have faced and how you have overcome it. Highlight any lessons or skills you have gained from overcoming this challenge.

4. Champion Who is a person that has influenced you and why?

When addressing this prompt, discuss a person who has had a significant impact on your life and why. Highlight how their influence has shaped your personal or academic pursuits.

5. Change How will you make a positive impact in your community with the help of this scholarship?

When addressing this prompt, discuss your future community service goals and how the scholarship will support these efforts. Highlight any past community service experiences that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.

6. Character How have your personal values and beliefs influenced your academic pursuits?

When addressing this prompt, discuss your personal values and beliefs and how they have influenced your academic and career goals. Highlight any experiences or achievements that demonstrate your character and commitment to your values.

7. Classroom How will you contribute to the academic community at your future college or university?

When addressing this prompt, discuss how you plan to contribute to the academic community at your future college or university. Highlight any academic or leadership experiences that demonstrate your potential to make a positive impact.

8. College Why have you chosen this particular college or university and how will this scholarship support your academic goals there?

When addressing this prompt, discuss why you have chosen your particular college or university and how the scholarship will support your academic pursuits. Highlight any relevant experiences or goals that align with the college or university's mission or values.

9. Committee Composition What unique perspective do you bring to the scholarship selection committee?

When addressing this prompt, discuss your unique experiences, skills, or background that you believe will contribute to the scholarship selection committee. Highlight any achievements or experiences that demonstrate your potential to make a positive impact.

10. Community How have you contributed to your local community and how will this scholarship support your future community service efforts?

When addressing this prompt, discuss any past community service experiences and how they have made a positive impact. Highlight any future community service goals and how the scholarship will support these efforts.

11. Competition How have you demonstrated your competitive spirit and drive for success?

When addressing this prompt, discuss any academic or extracurricular achievements that demonstrate your competitive spirit and drive for success. Highlight any leadership roles or experiences that demonstrate your potential for future success.

12. Contribution How will you contribute to your field of study through research or other academic pursuits? When addressing this prompt, discuss any research or academic goals you have for your field of study. Highlight any past academic or research experiences that demonstrate your potential to make a positive impact.

13. Control How have you taken control of your academic or personal life and achieved success?

When addressing this prompt, discuss any personal or academic challenges you have faced and how you have taken control of your life to achieve success. Highlight any skills or lessons you have gained from these experiences.

14. Creative How have you used your creativity to solve a problem or make a positive impact?

When addressing this prompt, discuss any experiences or achievements where you have used your creativity to make a positive impact. Highlight any problem-solving skills or unique approaches you have taken to achieve success.

15. Credentials How do your academic credentials and achievements make you a strong candidate for this scholarship?

When addressing this prompt, discuss your academic achievements and credentials that make you a strong candidate for the scholarship. Highlight any honors, awards, or certifications that demonstrate your academic excellence.

16. Culture How have your cultural experiences and background influenced your academic pursuits and goals?

When addressing this prompt, discuss how your cultural experiences and background have shaped your academic pursuits and goals. Highlight any experiences or achievements that demonstrate your unique perspective and potential to make a positive impact in your field of study.

How to Address Scholarship Essay Prompts?

Below you can find some of the most common scholarship questions and tips to answer them. Keep in mind these guidelines while answering the scholarship essay topic of your choice.

Your answers should show that you have a plan for your future and are serious about it. The scholarship committee wants to see that their money is going to someone who has the necessary drive, so don't be shy with what you say.

There's a competition going on - one that you can't afford to lose when your future is at stake. You need to stand out, and the best way to do it is by addressing any weakness with an answer like 'I currently have limited knowledge in this area, but I will be able to make up for my lack of experience through diligent study.' These scholarship committees look for applicants who show potential rather than people who already know everything about what they want from life.

It is very important to show the scholarship committee that you are passionate about your goals and ambitions. This will help them decide who they offer scholarships to, so it makes sense to take this question seriously.

While it is impossible to paint a complete image of your entire life in such a short time, you can give an overview of the information about your life that matters most with this scholarship.

To answer this question, show you have a serious plan for the future through education.

Maintaining a strong GPA throughout college is not enough; scholarship committees want more than just an educated student. They also want someone who will use their degree in ways that correspond with it. You'll have some tough competition when trying to prove yourself as a deserving candidate. So, make sure you are realistic about what types of goals and plans can realistically be achieved by going back to school or taking on another graduate program at one university.

This common scholarship essay question is a perfect way to share your thoughts about the importance of community service.

This prompt allows applicants to discuss what they have learned by doing this work and why more students should participate so that communities everywhere will improve.

Tips for Writing an Effective Scholarship Essay

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when writing your scholarship essay:

Address the Prompt: One of the most important things you can do when writing your scholarship essay is to address the prompt directly. Make sure you understand what the prompt is asking you to write about, and focus your essay on that topic.
Be Concise: Scholarship essays often have strict word limits, so it's important to be concise and to the point. Make sure every sentence in your essay serves a purpose and contributes to your overall argument.
Focus on Personal Experiences: Scholarship committees want to get to know you as a person. Thats why it's important to share personal experiences and stories in your essay. Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points for the scholarship.
Edit and Proofread: Once you've written your essay, take the time to edit and proofread it carefully. Look for typos, grammatical errors and make sure your essay flows smoothly and is easy to read.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a scholarship essay be.

Scholarship essays are usually about 500 words or one page long. If you can't find the information about the word or page limit for the essay, it's usually safe to stick to 500 words or one page.

Do scholarship essays need a title?

You can also include a title for your scholarship essay if you want, but this is usually unnecessary.

Is it okay to lie on a scholarship essay?

Scholarships are a great way to save money for college, but lying about your academic achievements could result in serious consequences.

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How to write the washington and lee essays 2020-2021: the total guide.

Washington and Lee University is a highly competitive liberal arts college with a rich history located in Lexington, VA. The namesakes of the university are none other than President George Washington and General Robert E. Lee, who served as the college’s president in 1865.

Its acceptance rate is currently around 21%.

W&L accepts the Common App , so you’ll most likely apply after writing one of its seven essays. Once you’re done with your personal statement, you’ll move on to the supplement.

We have a lot to cover, so let’s get right on with the Washington and Lee supplement.

What are the Washington and Lee Essay Requirements?

While completing the application for Washington and Lee, you’ll notice that the personal essay through the Common App is required. Check out the specific guide to the seven Common App essay prompts here.

In addition, there are two optional writing supplements.

We suggest writing these optional questions because it’s your chance to tell the college more about who you are.

Writing an essay is one of the only opportunities you have to set yourself apart from all the other candidates. It’s a chance to tell the college a little more about yourself in a way that your SAT/ACT scores and high school transcripts cannot.

Show the admissions team why you’re a candidate worthy of Washington and Lee.

Review the mission statements of the university and program you are applying to, if they have one. This will help you align your personal values with those of the university to express your desire to attend.

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 1

The first essay prompt is similar to other college essay prompts you might have seen before. As a result, the prompt, at first glance, might seem simple:

Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with Washington and Lee University and what aspects of W&L’s community are most exciting to you.

This is the quintessential “Why This College” essay . You will need to answer the prompt concisely because you will be limited to only 250 words.

It might not seem super apparent, but this prompt does contain two questions. This is what makes the prompt challenging: You must answer two questions with a limited number of words.

The first part of the prompt is asking you to describe how you became familiar with Washington and Lee University.
The second part of the prompt is asking you to describe what part of the Washington and Lee University community excites you.

One strategy should be to use less than 125 words to answer the first part of the prompt and less than 125 words to answer the second part of the prompt. This will ensure that you do not go over the 250-word count maximum.

From there, you can give or take words from each portion. For example, if you’re able to more succinctly express how you familiarized yourself with the university, then you can allocate the extra words toward why you decided to apply.

If one question in the prompt seems easier for you, start with that part, and then move on to the next. We’ll address strategies for both moving forward.

Let’s look at the first part of the prompt again.

Here is when you mention the ways in which you’ve learned about the university.

The most common ways would be campus tours, informational interviews with alumni, word-of-mouth from relatives or friends who have attended, or any prizes/awards the university might have won that made it stand out in the news.

You also can draw on strong reasons as to why you want to attend Washington and Lee University. This will help you complete the second part of the prompt and have a full answer that flows together.

Now, let’s start by organizing our thoughts around the second part of the question. Do some brainstorming to explain what attracted you to Washington and Lee.

Here are some questions to guide you to discover what it is about Washington and Lee that really speaks to you as a prospective student.

Was it the reputation of Washington and Lee University? How does it align with your morals and values?
Has Washington and Lee been your dream school since you were little? What’s your first memory of the school?
Did a family friend recommend it? What made the recommendation from this family friend so meaningful to you?
The university is considered small, yet has so much to offer all its students. Do you feel you’ll be more successful in a smaller environment?
What student life offerings will you take advantage of if you’re admitted and why?

In short, write down your top reasons for wanting to attend Washington and Lee. Sort your reasons from strongest to weakest, and then write your essay based on the two strongest.

Picking two reasons will help keep you inside the word limit. Remember that these reasons should help you stand out from other applicants, so don’t write what you think the admissions team wants to read if it’s not authentic to you.

You want to make sure the reason you’re applying is compelling and personal . This is your opportunity to tell a story about your first visit to campus, an alumnus that you look up to, and specific reasons why Washington and Lee will help you achieve your dream.
Don’t just write, “A family member recommended the school.” Lots of things are recommended to us, and some hold more value than others. Explain this person’s role in your life that led you to follow through on their recommendation.
Mention why you’re excited about the program to which you’re applying. There’s a good chance you can study the same thing at several other universities across the country, but there’s a reason you want to study at Washington and Lee over those other institutions.
Detail your connection to Washington and Lee. Perhaps you’re a legacy student for the university and you want to carry on the family name as a graduate. If you attended campus events that were open to the community, tell the story of how that strengthened your love for the university. Maybe you met an alumna at a college fair or they visited your class one day, so describe what they said that stuck with you.

Overall, this prompt wants to know specifically why you’re choosing Washington and Lee among all the other higher education institutions.

Tips for mastering this prompt:

Keep your response succinct. Begin writing without elaborating much. Once you have the basic ideas down, then add other details that are appropriate and enhance your essay.
Answer the prompt directly. If you stray from what is being asked, you’ll be wasting the few words you already have.
Stories are good, but you shouldn’t be writing a short story full of detail. If the story is meaningful, find a way to keep it to two sentences maximum. Focus on the basic who, what, where, when, and why.

This prompt is not a trick question, so don’t overthink it. It’s just a basic prompt that will tell Washington and Lee University what it has to offer that excites you as a candidate.

Again, you’re restricted to 250 words, so the school is not expecting flowery prose or an ode to Washington and Lee. This is not the time to write a five-paragraph essay. Keep your response succinct and answer the question directly without a long introduction or lengthy conclusion.

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Washington & lee supplemental essay 2.

The second essay prompt asks for more information about your life outside of school.

Please describe an aspect of your life outside of school that is important to you, such as an extracurricular activity, a job or family responsibility. How does your involvement impact you and those around you?

This essay is prompting you to share personal information about you outside of academics. Again, this question is twofold and is capped at a maximum of 250 words:

Describe an activity, job, or family responsibility that is significant to you.
In what way does that activity impact those around you?

Although any involvement in a club or job shows responsibility and motivation, remember that this question is asking specifically how this activity is significant to you.

Waiting tables to earn money for college is not particularly unusual or special. Many high school students do it. If, though, there is a more personal aspect to that job and how it impacts others around you, it could be the focus of your essay. Maybe you’re working at the family business? Think about what makes the activity unique.

For the first part of this question, think about an activity, job, or responsibility for which you are passionate. For example:

You built on a lifelong hobby by joining and becoming a leader of your school’s art club.
Your summer job is to direct a library program for children so that you can share and inspire a love of reading with them.
You are passionate about cooking and your family responsibility is to share in meal preparation to bring your family together each night.

Once you have determined what activity or job you want to highlight, jot down the reasons it is important to you. As with the previous essay, choose your two strongest reasons and explain them as succinctly as possible to stay within your word limit.

The second part of this essay asks how your involvement in this activity or job impacts the people around you. This could be very apparent, or it could be less clear. Does your involvement:

Share or teach a new skill with others?
Bring people from your community together?
Provide a unique service or resource to others?
Improve someone’s situation?
Better your neighborhood or community?
Share your talents with others in a special way?
Take a burden off of someone else?

Take this opportunity to show how you work to make an impact on your family, neighborhood or community. This is a perfect chance to explain how you use your time and talents for others.

This still needs to be a short answer, but use your words wisely. Find ways to express your passion for this activity and what it means for you to know its effect on others. Be sure that you answer both parts of the essay in your response.

Tackling the Johnson Scholarship Essay Prompts

In addition to the admissions application, you will also see the opportunity to apply for the Johnson Scholarship, which pays for college-related expenses, such as room and board and tuition.

As part of the Johnson Scholarship application process, you can choose to answer one of six prompts with a maximum 800-word count.

By applying for the Johnson Scholarship, you can also be considered for other scholarships at Washington and Lee.

Six different prompt choices can be intimidating. It’s imperative that you choose the right one that will allow you to showcase all the ways you’re a deserving, amazing student.

So, how do you choose the prompt that’s best for you?

Choose the prompt that excites you. If you’re not excited about your response, you won’t write the best essay you can. If you’re passionate about a topic, that passion will show in your essay. Passion will stand out for all the right reasons.
Choose the prompt that directly correlates with your life experiences. You know your life best, so expressing an experience that aligns with a prompt naturally will provide a better result than struggling to find one to write about.
Choose the prompt that will let you show the committee who you are. Admissions committees want to really get to know an applicant. Show off your personality through your essay rather than writing a cliché response that doesn’t tell them much about you.

And how should you NOT choose a prompt?

Don’t choose a prompt just because you think it’s the hardest one or the easiest one. This can set you up for failure in terms of not writing the best essay possible. You want to be confident about your ability to answer a prompt, not looking for the easy way out or most difficult way to get in. You’re not doing yourself a favor by choosing a topic that will be challenging for you to answer; instead, you’re throwing away your chance to truly write about something you’re passionate about.
Don’t choose a prompt that doesn’t resonate with you at all. How can you properly express why you belong at Washington and Lee if you can’t identify with what you’re writing about? The short answer is that you can’t. You will not win any extra points from the review committee by choosing a topic just because you think no one else will choose it.

Now that you’ve read about why you should and shouldn’t pick a particular prompt for your application, let’s discuss the best way to tackle each prompt. Below are the prompts that you will choose from.

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 2.1

“To promote literature in this rising empire and to encourage the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart.” (George Washington, 1798, first president of the United States and first major benefactor of Washington and Lee University) Describe a work of art that has influenced you and discuss the impact it has had on you.

After reading this essay prompt, you might be tempted to write about something you saw at MOMA or that time you visited the Sistine Chapel.

There is nothing wrong with these experiences, but if you’re writing about them to seem worldly or to impress the reader, then reconsider your approach. This prompt is looking for authenticity. It is not asking you to have the knowledge of an art history major.

The work of art could be something as simple as a finger painting you saw in a children’s hospital made by the patients there. And then again, it doesn’t have to be a fine art piece at all.

Art can fall under the category of music, dance, theatre, cinematography, and so many more. It is up to you to define what the work of art is and then relate it to how it has impacted your life.

Did the quidditch scenes of the Harry Potter saga influence you to start learning about CGI animation? These movies didn’t win an Academy Awards, but they are considered art.
Maybe your young sibling drew a family portrait that included members of your family they never met and this prompted you to learn more about your family history.
If your running path includes going past the same building every time just so you can look at its beauty, that’s worth writing about. Describe the thoughts and feelings you have when you see this building. What draws you to it?

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 2.2

In mathematics, the shortest distance between two points on a flat surface is a straight line. While geometry is predictable, sometimes day-to-day life is not. Reflect on a time when your path was not as simple or direct as anticipated. How did you manage, and what did you learn?

Let’s consider how to respond to this prompt. This prompt could relay an unexpected challenge you overcame or an opportunity you were able to pursue as a result of things not going as planned. Showcase your problem-solving skills and creativity in your answer.

This question is about how you manage the unexpected. Show the reader that you can think on your feet and be adaptable. Consider moments that might be perceived as negative that you were able to turn into a positive. Focus on the path that got you to that result.

Consider a time that you worked hard for something, but the end result did not work out as planned. Maybe you tried to earn an award or ace a competition, but you did not achieve the win. What happened? What did you do because of this? What did you learn?
Perhaps you dedicated a lot of time to planning an event or activity, but unpredictable weather caused you to cancel or change course. You did not get to see or do what you had planned, but you were able to pivot and adapt to the situation. What did you do instead? What did you learn from this experience?
Probably the most obvious direction to go with this answer is the impact of a worldwide pandemic on your life. The pandemic changed our plans drastically in an instance, and we could not control it. Did you miss a sports season or anticipated school event because of it? Did it impact your travel plans? Did it affect your ability to gather with friends or family for a highly anticipated celebration? Think about how the pandemic impacted you, how this is different than the way it affected others, and what you did as a result.

Keep in mind that this prompt wants you to explain two big things:

How well you managed this unexpected change of plans.
The lessons you learned as a result.

Be sure to include how this made you grow as a person. Did you exceed your own expectations? Write about that!

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 2.3

We live in a world in which much of our self-representation is curated online via short-lived social media ‘stories’ and disappearing photos. What photo or other representation of yourself is authentically you? What does it say about your growth into the person you are today, and the person you want to become? Please use only the words in your essay to address this question. Do not include photographs or other materials in your answer.

This is a great opportunity to share more about what makes you, you. Through social media, we share our perceived best version of ourselves with family, friends, and strangers. W&L wants to know the true you, not how others want to see you.

The neat part about this prompt is that it allows you to describe a photo “or other representation” of yourself. First, think of a moment when you were able to shine—when you felt most comfortable, maybe even vulnerable—because you were open and authentic.

Is there a photo that captures that moment? Or is it something else?
Is this represented in something like a pair of shoes or an instrument?
Is it a self-portrait or another piece of artwork?
Do you have an item passed down from a family member that you’ve embraced as your own?
Is it something old or broken that you’ve held onto because it’s become a part of who you are?

Next, you are tasked with describing that photo or object without being able to show it to the reader. What characteristics does this image or thing portray that makes it authentic to you? Be creative in both your description of the object and how that shows your true colors.

There are then two more questions to answer as part of this prompt. How does this image or object show your growth as a person? Make sure you can identify the turning point or any changes you’ve personally made. Consider how you would describe your evolution as a person.

Finally, discuss how this image or object illustrates who you want to become. Continue that personal evolution. How does it represent what you want to achieve? This does not need to be complicated but should describe how you see your true self in the future.

For example, your photo or item could be from a moment you spent outdoors or with nature. Perhaps that shows you feel most authentic and open in the great outdoors. This could even be a love rooted in your family that you have come to embrace as your own. You might hope to continue learning and growing into an environmentally conscious adult who advocates for clean and green standards.
Maybe your item is a pair of worn-in sneakers that represent all the places you’ve traveled. Talk about how your travels have shaped you as a person and helped you to grow. What it might mean for you to continue seeking new places to visit? What can you learn from new experiences and people in these travels?

Think outside the box!

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 2.4

W&L’s Spring Term is a four-week, intensive experience during which students take only one course, allowing for undivided attention to the subject matter. Spring Term courses are known for innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary scholarship, travel, and field work in diverse settings. If you could design a Spring Term course, what would you propose, and why would you choose to pursue that topic?

This is another two-part prompt. Break the prompt into two separate parts.

What [kind of course] would you propose?
Why would you choose to pursue that topic?

This question is ideal for the student with imagination and creativity. It’s also the perfect opportunity to give the reader some insight into who you are, how your thought process works, what type of learning you enjoy, and what topics you wish to pursue.

It’s okay to propose something completely “off the wall” based on your own interests as long as you can show how this course can be life-changing. Think about your hobbies that make you stand out.

Do you enjoy making YouTube videos? Then maybe suggest a course on Adobe Creative Cloud or cinematography to learn how to amp up your YouTube channel to get more viewers, or at least make more aesthetically interesting videos.
Are you into worm composting? Maybe a course on vermiculture could be your suggestion. The project you propose might be to make a portion of the campus garden available for other students to contribute compost for worms.
Are you religious and volunteered with various religious sects? Then consider proposing a course that allows students to work with an interfaith organization in the local community.
If you’re a fan of a particular cuisine, propose a course that dives into the culture of that food as well as preparing it. You’ll be able to learn what makes these dishes so special and create the delicious dishes on your own if they aren’t available nearby. This could be a cultural cuisine or focus on a diet like Keto or Vegan.

Among the essay prompts, this one is a great choice if you want to write something that will help you stand out from the crowd. Don’t let your imagination hold you back.

You can assume that there are no holdbacks you’ll need to deal with when proposing this course. Also, you do want to include why you’re passionate about the topic and why it would change your life if you had a chance to take a course about it.

However, do some research first to make sure a class isn’t already offered. You’ll want to make your proposition something that isn’t already available. If a similar course is offered, make sure your idea is different it practically could be a different class or has an entirely different focus for the topic.

Washington & Lee Supplemental Essay 2.5

In his October, 1963, A Talk to Teachers, James Baldwin said “…the whole process of education occurs within a social framework and is designed to perpetuate the aims of society.” Yet, as he aptly notes, “the paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.” Baldwin suggests that the purpose of education is to teach us to think for ourselves, to question—and change—the “framework” that we have come to understand and accept. What norms of your home or community have you become conscious of during your time in high school, and how would you like to use that knowledge to make it a better place?

This essay is about challenging norms for the betterment of the community. Consider the Amendments to the Constitution. The US Constitution was created as a foundation for the country, but with room to change and adapt as the country evolved. Rules are created for a reason, but sometimes need to change and adapt with time.

Think about existing rules or the framework at home and in your community. Jot down any rules that you have questioned or that you feel are no longer relevant. Think about rules that might not exist, but should be in place. Create your list, rank your items, then choose the strongest one to write about.

This essay has two parts:

First, discuss what norm you have become conscious of from home or in your community.
Then, write about how you will use what you have discovered or come to better understand to improve your home or community.

Is there something that is unfair or unjust to some of the people in this community? How do you raise awareness of this and change it for the better? Maybe there is a personal story you can share or an event that you witnessed that helps to illustrate your point.

Are norms, rules, or expectations applied unequally at home or in your community? Do certain people receive better treatment than others? Why is that, and how can you change it?

Be sure that you have clear explanations, examples, and steps to show the problem and solution.

Key Strategies for the Washington & Lee Honors Essays

Since you have more room than normal to write your scholarship essay, it’s important to apply after you’ve fully developed your thought process.

As long as you meet the deadline, you shouldn’t feel rushed to complete your application the first time that you open it. Take time to plan out and practice writing some essays before you decide which you’ll complete.

One of the great parts of this selection of essay prompts is that the premise of each essay is something broad – issues, leadership and responsibility, art, designing a course, and your future.
This means you can choose from a number of your experiences, and the chance they’ll fit into one of the prompts is very high. You may even find one experience can fit into a few prompts, so you’ll need to decide which prompt will best suit your intention when telling it.

All this is to say that you want to be an active character in your story. Remember that the focus of the essay should be you . If you have a hard time writing about a conflict (for example, essay 5 doesn’t feature a conflict-driven topic), then you want to explain why the topic is significant to you.

Washington and Lee knows why political issues, student council positions, and pressing issues of the future are critical. What they want to know is why you find them to be important.

Conclusion: Writing the Washington and Lee Essays

Remember, for the scholarship program, the essay is meant to supplement your application. The committee will already have your academic record, SAT/ACT scores, and recommendations on file.

The purpose of the essay is to give the committee a view of who you are as a person that they won’t already know from other parts of your application.

In the essay, you shouldn’t write about your stellar grades or excellent college entrance test scores.

Much like a resume , the essay is a great chance to show off your soft skills, emotional intelligence, and intellect that will allow the reader to connect with you on a personal level to see how you will one day be a positive addition to Washington and Lee’s student body.

Ultimately, by choosing a prompt that allows you to bring the reader into your world, you will stand out. This will give the reader a better understanding of what makes you a stellar applicant.

Don’t be intimidated by the essays. Use them instead to showcase what an awesome candidate you are.

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Washington and Lee University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with Washington and Lee University and what aspects of W&L‘s community are most exciting to you.

Select-A-Prompt Essay

In 800 words or less, please respond to one of the following:

"To promote literature in this rising empire and to encourage the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart." (George Washington, 1798, first president of the United States and first major benefactor of Washington and Lee University) Describe a work of art that has influenced you, and discuss the impact it has had on you.

In mathematics, the shortest distance between two points on a flat surface is a straight line. While geometry is predictable, sometimes day-to-day life is not. Reflect on a time when your path was not as simple or direct as anticipated. How did you manage, and what did you learn?

We live in a world in which much of our self-representation is curated online via short-lived social media ‘stories’ and disappearing photos. What photo or other representation of yourself is authentically you? What does it say about your growth into the person you are today and the person you want to become? Please use only the words in your essay to address this question. Do not include photographs or other materials in your answer.

W&L’s Spring Term is a four-week, intensive experience during which students take only one course, allowing for undivided attention to the subject matter. Spring Term courses are known for innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary scholarship, travel, and fieldwork in diverse settings. If you could design a Spring Term course, what would you propose, and why would you choose to pursue that topic?

In his October 1963, A Talk to Teachers, James Baldwin said “…the whole process of education occurs within a social framework and is designed to perpetuate the aims of society.” Yet, as he aptly notes, “the paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious, one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated."  Baldwin suggests that the purpose of education is to teach us to think for ourselves, to question – and change – the “framework” that we have come to understand and accept. What norms of your home or community have you become conscious of during your time in high school, and how would you like to use that knowledge to make it a better place?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

Washington and Lee University Essay Example by an Accepted Student

Washington and Lee University is a pretty selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll share an essay a real student has submitted to Washington and Lee University. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized.

Read our Washington and Lee University es say breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Example – Why Washington and Lee?

Prompt: Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with Washington and Lee University and what aspects of W&L’s community are most exciting to you.

I love the lasers from Star Wars. As a child, they glowed behind my eyelids while I lay in bed at night, and their force powered my dreams. They filled my life with wonder and longing. “I will grow up to wield this thing,” I promised.

As I got older, I began to love the stories -the Jedi’s wisdom, Han Solo’s strength- almost as much as I loved the lasers. I was intrigued by Nnedi Okoroafor’s fantastic worlds and the powerful realities Chimamanda Adichie told, and promised, too, to wield worlds.

At this point, W&L’s role in fulfilling my dreams comes into play. I can study the lasers I loved to see on Star Wars with the Fabry-Perot interferometer at the Science Center and explore my fascination for literature by taking an active part in the Shannon-Clark lectures.

I was privileged to research with W&L’s Professor Abrams during the summer, and as I worked, I witnessed the relationship between math and art first hand. I found geometric harmony in my bathroom wall’s patterns during each shower and arithmetic harmony in the sequence of my favorite books’ words during each reading session. W&L gives me an excellent opportunity to continue to work with Professor Abrams and discover more novel ways of seeing the world.

I see my W&L experience as being crucial to my development as a wielder of words and science, and what better opportunity to channel my inner Hans-Solo than after a refreshing dinner at Café 77?

What the Essay Did Well

This “Why College?” essay does a great job of establishing the student’s dual interests—that are sometimes considered mutually exclusive—and explaining how Washington and Lee can address both those interests. The use of Star Wars to establish both an interest in science and literature is a very personable and relatable topic to use. The reader can appreciate the child-like wonder and curiosity for science this student had, as well as the mature fascination in how stories are crafted and told.

The student also includes references to specific resources Washington and Lee offers that will further their education in these two topics. The mention of the “Fabry-Perot interferometer at the Science Center” shows that this student has done their research and is excited to study lasers in a hands-on format. Since the student had a previous connection to Washington and Lee, it was also smart to mention that in the essay to demonstrate they have been aware of the college and its faculty for a while.

In the paragraph that discussed previously working with a professor, the essay did a good job of reiterating the connection between math and art. The continued thread running throughout the essay is the unique combination of science and literature this student wants to pursue, and the continued callbacks to this idea remind the reader of the student’s passion. At the end of the essay, the reader is left with a positive impression of a student who doesn’t want to be defined by one thing and wants to learn as much as possible—exactly what any college wants to hear.

What Could Be Improved

There honestly isn’t much that could be improved in this essay. It’s very strong and does a good job of answering the prompt while also revealing a lot about the student.

With that being said, the student could have gone a bit more in depth into describing how Washington and Lee would be beneficial to them. They mention the “Fabry-Perot interferometer” and “Shannon-Clark lectures” but don’t explain what either of those are in detail, or how they would help this student grow and further their interests. Given the word limit, it is understandable that they weren’t able to go into detail, but if they could have explained the significance of these two aspects of the college to their education it would have made the essay even stronger.

Where to Get Your Washington and Lee University Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Washington and Lee University essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Top 10 scholarship essay prompts and how to answer them (with infographic)

Checking each scholarship application’s questions and essays can be time-consuming. But what if you could find out what the most common essay topics were – and then reuse those same scholarship essays across multiple applications?

Well, Going Merry can help you do just that. We took a random sample of about 700 scholarship applications on our scholarship platform and categorized the prompts for any essays requiring 250 or more words. Finally, we ran the numbers to find out what the top 10 most common scholarship essay prompts are.

These 10 topics represented a whopping 90% of all scholarship essay prompts. So that means if you had these 10 essays ready to go, you could apply to the vast majority of scholarships with very little additional work, especially when you use Going Merry’s auto-filled application forms .

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Most Common Scholarship Essay Prompts.

Here’s an excerpt of the winning scholarship essay from John Flowers Jr.:

2. How have you contributed to your community?

3. tell us about yourself., 4. tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it., 5. what are your academic and/or career goals, 6. what impact has sports had on your life.

And here’s a winning essay on this scholarship topic from Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez:

Here’s an example of a winning scholarship essay from Gabby DeMott in which a student developed a new understanding of herself and others.

Here’s a winning going merry scholarship essay from daniel gill on what makes him unique (hint: he brings puppetry and education together with expressive arts):, 10. why do you want to study/pursue [x], download the top 10 scholarship essay prompts, more resources related to writing for college, ready to start writing some of these top scholarship essay prompts.

1. How will this scholarship help you?

You should answer this scholarship essay prompt by explaining how the award money will help you in at least one of the following ways: financially , professionally, and/or academically.

Financially, you can share family hardships or goals on how you plan to use the money to help pay for portions of college – for textbooks, tuition, a laptop, or other school supplies.

Professionally, the scholarship might help you pursue a degree in a field you’re interested in. If you’re a first-generation student, you can highlight that this would help you pursue both academic and career dreams as the first in your family.

For example, John Flowers Jr., a Going Merry scholarship winner , described in his scholarship essay that the award would help him be able to pay for his books.

“Winning this scholarship will make a difference to me because it will allow me to cover college financial issues that may hold me back from reaching my career. Being less stressed about worrying about college fees will allow me to focus more of my attention in class to earn the credits, and not worry about how I’m going to pay for the class.”

Here’s an excerpt of the winning scholarship essay from John Flowers Jr. :

My parents were never given a shot at having an education beyond high school. They were never given a shot to show their full potential and make a difference in the world […] Being young and seeing my parents struggle is hard for me. It’s challenging seeing the people you love go through a hard time and you can’t do anything about it. […] But then I realized I can do something about it. I can get good grades in school. I can take college level courses throughout high school. I can attend a 4-year university and earn my bachelor’s degree in Business Entrepreneurship. That was my thought process as a Freshman. Now being a Senior I turned those “I cans” into “I did.” I DID get good grades all through school. I DID take college level courses. I will be walking straight out of high school with 17 college credit hours. […] I DID get into a 4-year university; and 4 years from now I want to be able to say I DID earn my bachelor’s degree in Business Entrepreneurship. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to take care of my parents the way they have been taking care of my all my life; and nothing would make me better as a person than to be able to say I did this. […] Winning this scholarship will make a difference to me because it will allow me to cover college financial issues that may hold me back from reaching my career. Being less stressed about worrying about college fees will allow me to focus more of my attention in class to earn the credits, and not worry about how I’m going to pay for the class. Even book fees will add up over time due to how many different classes there are. Being able to use this scholarship to pay for books that are required for a certain class will be a big help, especially for a student who has lots of classes that have to be taken.

This is a common essay prompt for community service scholarships . In this essay, describe your experience in community service, explain how you’ve given back, or share volunteer opportunities you’ve participated in. For example, if you’ve organized a community donation box and taken the donations to a nonprofit organization, share how you got involved in that and how it helped the community.

Two more things to mention–even when they’re not explicitly asked:

How have you learned or grown due to your community service? Scholarship committees want to know how this work has contributed to your character.
How do you plan to continue to support your community in the future? Bonus points if your college plans (which they’d be partially funding!) help you further contribute. Sometimes this is easy because your intended career path is service-oriented (for example, if you want to be a nurse, doctor, teacher, or social worker), but other times you may wish to give back on the side (for instance, by doing pro-bono work if you want to be a lawyer).

You have a lot of creative freedom with this scholarship prompt! But don’t get too crazy. Generally, this kind of “open-ended” prompt is a bit of a trick. In the end, the scholarship committee still wants to know:

What motivates you to do (study or pursue a career in) what you plan to do? Remember, they’re funding your future, so they want to know about your plans and why you’re passionate about them.
What kind of (good) characteristics do you have? They’re ultimately choosing people to invest in, so they want you to be a good person. Characteristics you might want to show are empathy, service, leadership, perseverance, or determination.
What kind of successes have you had in the past? This is your chance to brag about what you’ve accomplished so far.

This essay topic is quite similar to writing a college personal statement , except that with this one, you want to more explicitly tie things back to your future plans.

Scholarship providers understand that no student is perfect, and they want to know how you learned from a failure – this can be an academic, professional, or personal failure. Break down how you failed, why you failed, and how it made you better. You can also reveal something you learned from that failure, such as what you would do differently in the future, so you don’t run into that situation again, or how that moment changed your life and how you picked yourself up. This is a moment to show how you can learn and persevere.

If the essay is very short (say, 100-300 words), be clear and concise. Explain what you want to study, and then what kind of career you want to lead afterwards. Be sure to save room for 1-2 sentences explaining why you’re motivated to pursue that path.

If you have a longer essay (for example, 500-1000 words), take the time to describe what inspired you to pursue certain academic and/or career goals. For example: One of your parents has always owned his or her own business and now you’re inspired to be an entrepreneur, to pursue a degree in business. Describe that moment of realization when you decided that would be your career goal. Maybe a conversation with that parent sparked inspiration to pursue that, or maybe it was simply watching them work as you grew up. Looking to the future, how do you plan to pursue that career goal? How will the scholarship award help you pursue it? Tell a story; paint a picture. Get creative with it!

Check out these blog posts for additional information on writing an essay about your academic goals and/or career goals .

This essay prompt is generally for scholarships supporting student-athletes.

So if you played sports throughout high school, share how it’s affected your life, You can reflect on experiences with teammates (if it’s a team sport), what you learned (or gained) from practices or meets/competitions, any injuries you had to overcome, how you balanced athletics and academics, how it affected your schedule (early-morning wake-ups, anyone?), and time with your coach(es) or sports mentors.

You’ll also want to look forwards and not just backwards. How will you take your sports experiences with you, into college and beyond? Maybe there’s a direct connection: being on a team inspired you to one day pursue a career in sports and eventually coach. Or the effects can be more indirect: You’ve learned time management skills that will help you in college, or you’ve learned teamwork skills that will help you when you begin working.

7. Why do you deserve this scholarship?

Scholarship providers are basically asking, “Why should it be you?” with this scholarship essay prompt. Paint a picture of why you’re the most deserving student for this scholarship award.

You’ll want to establish at least these two things:

You’ve proven yourself as high-achieving (in the past). Discuss accomplishments you’re proud of or any accolades (honors, awards, or simply verbal compliments) you’ve received.
You’re driven to succeed (in the future). Show that you’ve got clear future plans and the gusto to make them happen.

In addition to that, a strong essay will show at least one of these additional traits:

You’re passionate. If you’ve got a good story to explain your motivation for your studies or future career plans, now’s the time to tell that tale. Here’s the moment to wow the scholarship committee with why you care more than anyone else, and why.
You’re unique. Scholarship committees love finding someone who’s just different and stands out from the rest. If you’ve had an unusual upbringing or an uncommon interest, lean into that. (For instance, scholarship winner Daniel Gill wrote about his passion for using puppetry to help autistic children — now that’s cool and unique!)
You’ve got a particular financial need . For need-based scholarships, this essay question may in part be asking you why your financial need is greater than other applicants’.

Want more tips? We have a whole separate post dedicated to answering this scholarship essay prompt.

And here’s a winning essay on this scholarship topic from Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez :

I always knew I was different than my friends in some way. Growing up, I struggled to speak English while everyone else had little to no problems. I needed extra help in school while my friends coasted by with ease. My friends would hop on planes and travel all around the world while I had to stay at home. At the age of 13 all of my friends started driving while I still couldn’t. I built up the courage and asked my mother why I did not have access to the simple liberties everyone else did. My name Is Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez, and I was illegally brought to this country when I was just six years old. At the time I had no clue that I was breaking any laws, and I did not realize the fact that my life was going to change forever. Growing up with a different citizenship situation than my peers was and still is the biggest challenge I have to face in my life. Looking back there is not a single thing that I would change. Knowing that I had to work harder than everyone else led me to be the person that I am today. I took that fire inside of me, pushed myself, graduated first in my class with a cumulative 4.0 GPA, became a Kansas Scholar, and graduated High School with a semester’s worth of college credit. In November of 2016, everything began to look up for me. I received a work permit and a social security card all thanks to the DACA program. I was finally able to get my license, get a job, and most importantly attend college. I plan to continue my success in the classroom and do everything to the best of my ability as I know that under my current circumstances it can all be ripped away from me at any moment. Growing up with my situation has taught me to not take advantage of a single opportunity. There has been continued support around me past and current and I know there are people out there rooting for my success. I will strive to be the first generation in my family to graduate from an American University and I will set a stepping stone for my future family so they will not have to struggle as I did. My citizenship is not a setback, it is a mere obstacle that I will always learn to work around if it means giving my future children a better life, just like my mother did for me.

8. Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged.

Have you studied abroad? Visited a foreign country on a family trip? Had a thought-provoking discussion with a teacher, religious leader, or friend? Think about an experience or a moment that challenged – or even changed – one of your beliefs or ideas. Explain what your original understanding of the idea was, when that idea was challenged, and how you felt about it afterward. Scholarship providers are interested in seeing reflection and growth, so expanding on every detail, including where you were, who you were with, and what you were feeling, can help tell your story in your essay.

There were only a few minutes to go and our eyes were glued to screen. On the edge of our seats, clutching whoever happened to be next to us, we watched as the referee blew his whistle and the German players took their free kick. The ball was hit with precision and skill; it flew up over the Swedish players, past their goalie, and was caught safely in the back of the opposing team’s net. We all jumped up and screamed, a mixture of German and English, of excitement and relief, of pride and anticipation. We stood, enraptured, for the last several minutes of the game as Germany kept its 2-1 lead over Sweden. The horde of us, Germans and Americans alike, hugged and cheered and made our way out onto the balcony, where we chanted “Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!” for the whole village, the whole country, the whole world to hear. Never have I felt so accepted while being an outsider, so proud of a country that isn’t even mine, so part of something I didn’t really belong to. My German friends didn’t care that we were from different countries; they didn’t care that we would only be staying for three weeks. They accepted us into their homes and their daily lives, their traditions and their celebrations. In watching that World Cup game, it didn’t matter that we were from different places; we were all cheering for the same team. The acceptance I felt in Germany extended beyond that living room. I came to the country on a three week exchange with ten other students from my school. We each stayed with host families and attended the Wildermuth Gymnasium, which was surprisingly accommodating to a gaggle of loud American teenagers. The teachers were friendly and welcoming, the students treated us like ordinary peers, and even the people I interacted with in public were understanding. Before coming to Germany I feared judgment based on my level of the language (which is nowhere near as good as the German students’ English) and American politics. It was intimidating to be in a country with limited knowledge of the language and the customs, even though everyone was welcoming. People did ask myself and the other students about the US’s political climate, but no one blamed us for it. They recognized that we were outsiders, that the place we came from had flaws, and they accepted us anyway. Since that trip, I’ve found myself trying to provide that acceptance to people in my own country. For example, I work at a canoe livery and we receive a lot of visitors with limited English. Some of my coworkers will avoid such customers because they don’t want to take the time to explain things, to exercise patience with someone who may not understand them. If people had done this to me in Germany, my time there would have been much less enjoyable; in fact, I would have been offended. So now when someone walks up to me at the livery and asks a question in English that isn’t perfect, I smile and welcome them. I take my time to make sure they understand, that they can have a good time, and that they feel accepted. It’s a small action, but I know firsthand that it can make a big impact, at my place of work and in the world.

9. How are you unique? (Discuss your background, identity, interest, or talent)

Everyone has a trait, a quirk, an activity that makes them unique, whether it’s sports, their upbringing, their hobbies, or interests. Go into as much detail as you feel comfortable to answer this scholarship essay prompt.

Share a story about your family culture, how you were raised, moments that shaped you into being who you are today. If sports is your thing, for example, share how playing sports at a young age taught you about teamwork, working with a coach, discipline and structure. If you couldn’t play sports due to an injury or a disability, explain how you felt when you learned that you had to find other ways to thrive and how it affected your actions.

Sometimes we think that a topic has been written about so many times that it doesn’t matter, but what makes you unique – your story, your history – is your story to tell.

As an Expressive Arts specialist, I use puppet play and the arts (with three to five-year-olds) to teach sharing, identifying and working with feelings, making friends, mindfulness, and asking for what you need in peaceful ways. Additionally, I perform developmentally appropriate puppet shows in classrooms about fairness, valuing difference (including differences in gender expression and skin tone), and peaceful conflict resolution. By teaching diversity, equity, and inclusion through puppetry, I feel that I am making a difference. In this work, I have noticed an unexplained phenomenon. Educational puppetry is particularly effective in helping children with ASD develop social and communication skills. One girl with ASD in my school refused to follow the daily routine until a parrot puppet helped guide her through the transitions. Through puppet play, a boy with impulse control challenges learned to manage his feelings and stop hitting other children. One boy with Autism showed remarkable progress with puppet play. Now in Kindergarten, his ability to communicate and make friends makes his academic success possible. Teachers value this work; it reinforces the social and emotional teaching they practice daily. One teacher told me, “What you do with puppets and our kids is amazing. You need to share this work beyond our preschool.” Application Questions and Answers My goal is to support young children with Autism in public school settings develop the social-emotional skills they need for academic and personal success. I aim to accomplish this by creating and implementing evidence-based strategies that use puppets as intervention tools. A Masters and Credential in ECSE, and the Autism Spectrum Graduate Certificate program I will complete, are essential to broadening my impact. The program will provide me with the theoretical foundation, the student teaching experiences, the credentials, and the academic community required to work with children and families in public school settings. For example, as part of the ECSE Program Masters and Credential Roadmap, I am taking the Seminar in Educational Research course. I am learning how to conduct scholarly research, a fundamental skill in creating innovative approaches that work. I am eager to apply the knowledge and skills I learn at SFSU toward helping more children open doors to connection. Additionally, I am learning leadership skills by volunteering for SFSU’s Early Childhood Special Education Conference. Most conference attendees are undergraduate students, interested in working with young children at-risk and with disabilities. As Co-Chair of the Presenter Committee, I am recruiting dynamic and engaging speakers who will lead workshops. I am eager to apply all of the knowledge and skills I learn at SFSU toward helping more children open doors to connection. I am at a critical juncture in my path. Helping children who experience social disconnection integrate into their classrooms, is my passion. This scholarship will help me work toward a world where every child has access to education and all children know they belong.

Reflect on what inspires you to want to pursue a certain field of study. If you’re interested in studying psychology and pursuing a career as a psychologist, for example, explain how you enjoy understanding how and why people make certain decisions, how you became fascinated by the science behind it.

Another example: Let’s say you’re interested in pursuing a career in communications. This might seem like a broader category, but you can highlight your love for writing, your ability to pick up on details in and out of school, and presenting this in a way that makes sense to the people around you. Just be careful not to get stuck in broad generalities. For this essay prompt in particular, many applicants will often have the same basic answer as you. So you’ll want to use specific anecdotes to make your essay stand out.

Check out these blog posts to continue researching how to answer scholarship essay prompts:

How to write an essay about yourself
Writing about your career goals
How to write the best personal statement
Write a winning scholarship essay about your academic goals
Scholarship essay format and structure

Now that you have a better understanding of how to answer these scholarship essay prompts, it’s time to put your knowledge in motion with your scholarship applications. Sign up for a free Going Merry profile where you can upload your scholarship essays. You’ll enter your information once – such as your expected graduation year, what you plan to study in college, and your location – and then we’ll match you with thousands of scholarships. You can even sort scholarships by competitiveness, location, amount, and deadline!

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The 16 Most Popular Scholarship Essay and Application Questions

by Gabrielle McCormick | Nov 17, 2018 | Applying for Scholarships , Finding Scholarships , Scholarship Essays | 0 comments

Believe it or not, scholarship committees generally ask the same types of questions and have similar applications.

That’s right! The scholarships you find are going to fit into specific themes which you must be able to identify in order to save your family time, frustration, stress, and most importantly – money.

The 16 themes below are designed for you to use as a reference until you can spot them on your own. Also, make sure you check out our Scholarship Fast Track videos , specifically the Application Accelerators Module , that outlines these scholarship essay themes and questions even more!

The Top 16 Scholarship Essay Themes

Committee Composition
Competition
Contribution
Credentials

I’ve provided a definition as well as common scholarship question examples for each theme.

[info-box type=”success”] Real Talk: These questions are not made-up and, in fact, come from actual scholarship applications that are open to students at all levels. I hope that they serve you well in preparing for your upcoming applications. [/info-box]

Common Scholarship Questions and Essay Prompts

Scholarship essay theme: career.

The career theme is pretty self-explanatory. The committee wants to know any and everything relating to you or your student’s career goals.

Common Scholarship Questions:

What do you want to do after you graduate from college?
Why did you select this career?
How will you change the field/industry?
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Catch-All

This is a student’s life summary or autobiography which usually includes information about the past, present, and future. Some committees refer to it as a personal statement or brief bio. (Warning: Not all personal statements will be looking for a life summary. Make sure you read the application carefully.)

Please write a short autobiography including information about your family, work experience, community involvement, hobbies, spare time activities, and what you hope to do in the future.
Please include a short summary or personal statement describing your accomplishments and goals.
List any honors and awards you’ve received.
List your extra-curricular activities.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Challenges

Everyone loves a good underdog story. An essay theme that focuses on Challenges asks the student to identify a time when they were down or faced conflict. The committee wants to hear how instead of giving up, you rose to the occasion or at least learned what was necessary to achieve success.

Write a short essay that describes areas in your life where you demonstrated leadership and overcame obstacles either through your school, social, or family life.
What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve ever faced? How did you handle it?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Champion

Why you? Out of all the available applicants, why should you or your student earn the scholarship?

Why do you need this scholarship?
Please list any additional comments you believe would be helpful in the committee’s decision.
In 100 words or less, tell why you would like to receive the XYZ scholarship.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Change

This is one I’m starting to see more and more of in the scholarship world. Committees are interested in the opinions, thoughts, and ideas of applicants. With topics like legislation, population control, and the environment, committees want to see analytical and critical thinking skills.

What do you think we should do about gun control in this country?
How would you handle texting and driving?
Create an innovative solution to reduce waste.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Character

As Defined by Merriam-Webster , “Character is the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves .” Essentially, it’s what makes you who you are.

Describe a time in your life that has shaped who you are as a person.
This is what I believe in…
How do you define success?
What traits do you possess that will enhance your education or future career?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Classroom

Academics, teaching methods, assignments, and anything that pertains to student learning fall under this category.

How has technology impacted student learning?
If you could design a college curriculum, what would it be?
Do you believe that standardized testing has helped or hindered student learning?

Scholarship Essay Theme: College

This is one of the most common scholarship essay themes. The premise: Why do you want to go to college?

You’ll often see this theme attached to others as an additional question or a required component of the application.

Why do you want to go to college?
What do you expect to gain from earning a college degree?
What are your educational goals?

Is this helping you? Are you beginning to see how this can save you a lot of time? If so, let me know in the comments below, Tweet Me @ScholarshipTalk, or just share the following message and I’ll know you see the benefits of organizing your scholarships based on themes. ?

[clickToTweet tweet=”Organizing my scholarships based on the 16 core essay themes has saved me time! #OwnYourDegree” quote=”Organizing my scholarships based on the 16 core essay themes has saved me time!”]

Scholarship Essay Theme: Committee Composition

I’m sure you’ve seen some of the eccentric scholarships out there that challenge you to write about your favorite ice cream, talk about using their product, or design a logo for their company. These scholarships tend to be unique or inspired by the sponsoring organization.

Create a greeting card and be featured in our upcoming holiday card collection.
Design a mascot for our company.
Write an essay about how lights and fixtures could impact your mood.
Develop an innovative video to end smoking.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Community

This is also a popular scholarship theme. Instead of looking at a student’s GPA, test scores, or major, the community essay theme focuses on community service, community initiatives, and community improvement.

Describe a meaningful volunteer experience?
Make thank-you cards for military service members.
Share a project you developed to change your community.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Competition

A common theme for athletes, band members, dancers, or those involved in groups/organizations is the Competition scholarship essay. It highlights participation and its associated benefits.

What does it mean to be a good student on the field, in the classroom, and in the community?
Define what it means to be a good teammate?
Describe a moment of sportsmanship.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Contribution

Again, this is another scholarship essay theme that you may see added to another scholarship question or application. The committee wants to know about you or your student’s contribution to society at various levels.

How will you make a difference in our world?
How have you made a difference in your community?
What do you think our country should do to foster unity?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Control

Control , i.e. leadership, oftentimes stands alone as a scholarship theme because of the many questions that can be asked. From being a leader to follower and everything in between, the committee is seeking answers regarding group interaction, the organization of people, or participation within a group setting.

What does leadership mean to you?
Explain a family, social or school situation, in which your leadership made the difference. What was accomplished?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Creative

I’m starting to see a rise in Creativ e scholarship essays as well. You may notice some similarities with the Committee Composition theme because these scholarships are usually committee-driven and created.

The committee will provide a question, but give you freedom in depicting or representing the theme or category they’ve selected.

Write a short story of 2,000 words or less.
Create a video of 2-minutes or less to encourage young people to stop texting and driving.
Submit a photograph depicting the word “family”.

Scholarship Essay Theme: Credentials

As defined by Merriam-Webster , “Credentials are a qualification, achievement, personal quality, or aspect of a person’s background, typically when used to indicate that they are suitable for something.”

These scholarships will require specific credentials to apply or may use the credential within application questions.

To apply for this scholarship, you must be a female student majoring in a male-dominated industry. Please tell us why you selected this career?
Applicants must be a member of the LGBTQI community. Describe a volunteering activity you conducted for your community.
Students must be a dependent of an active military member or veteran. Why do you need this scholarship?
Students applying for this scholarship must be undergraduate students entering their first semester. What study habits do you think are imperative to freshmen student success?

Scholarship Essay Theme: Culture

Cultures can be comprised of many different components. From college communities to hometown traditions, the Culture theme is based on the defining characteristics of a student’s environment.

Tell the committee why you decided to attend college out-of-state?
What does your university’s tradition and pride represent?
Submit a piece of artwork that captures your town.

[info-box type=”alert”]Do you want a downloadable version of these themes and questions for your notes? Click here for a FREE copy . [/info-box]

Save a Ton of Time by Using These Themes

Scholarship applications may have one or several themes present. Focus on identifying your possible scholarship themes.

Labeling scholarships by themes and working on them at the same time allows the student to divide and conquer. If your family can get good at identifying themes, you’ll immediately save hours of time on applications .

As I start to see new themes emerge, I’ll be sure to add them to the list. For now, this should keep you pretty busy as you continue to find and apply for scholarships.

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Home > Blog > Scholarship Essay Examples To Help You Get Accepted

Scholarship Essay Examples To Help You Get Accepted

Smodin Editorial Team
Updated: September 24, 2024
General Guide About Content and Writing

Are you worried that your scholarship essay will not get you into your desired college? The scholarship application process can be tough, so you need the help you can get to increase your odds of success. Therefore, consider using the scholarship essay examples in this post to learn the best practices on how to get accepted.

We’ll show you how to structure the scholarship essay from start to finish and discuss essays on why you should receive a scholarship. Furthermore, we’ll offer the best practices and things to avoid. This means that by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to improve the overall quality of your scholarship essay.

So, let’s take a deep dive into the different scholarship essay examples to help you write your own.

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What Is a Scholarship Essay?

A scholarship essay is a written statement that applicants submit to scholarship committees as part of their application process. Its primary purpose is to showcase your qualifications, experiences, and aspirations. It will help reviewers understand why the candidate deserves financial support.

In crafting an effective scholarship essay, it’s important to address the specific prompt provided by the scholarship organization. This might be highlighting relevant experiences and values that align with the scholarship’s mission. A compelling narrative can set an applicant apart and emphasize unique perspectives in overcoming challenges.

Additionally, no matter the type of essay , your work should reflect clarity, coherence, and a strong writing style. It often includes a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This summarizes the applicant’s journey and future ambitions.

Ultimately, a well-written scholarship essay communicates the candidate’s qualifications and conveys their passion and motivation. It makes for a persuasive case for why they should receive the scholarship.

What To Include in a Scholarship Essay

You’ll need to know what elements to include in your scholarship essay to get the best marks and potentially financial aid. After all, there are many scholarship essays that you have to compete with in order to get top grades.

Here are the main things you must include in your scholarship essay:

Personal background: Share your background and experiences that shape who you are at the start of your essay . Furthermore, discuss your upbringing, family influences, and any challenges you have overcome.
Academic achievements: Detail your academic accomplishments, such as GPA, relevant coursework, and honors. You’ll also need to mention any awards or recognitions you’ve received that showcase your dedication to learning.
Extracurricular activities: Describe your involvement in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, or volunteer work. Make sure to focus on leadership roles and significant contributions.
Career goals: Clearly outline your career aspirations and how they relate to your educational path. Explain why you are passionate about your chosen field and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.
Financial need: Address your financial situation honestly by explaining why you need the scholarship. Furthermore, discuss any challenges you face in funding your education, such as family circumstances or personal responsibilities.

A person writing in a notebook with a cup of coffee and a half-eaten croissant next to them.

5 Things To Avoid When Writing Scholarship Essays

There are a number of mistakes that you need to avoid making to ensure that your scholarship essays don’t fail. We have listed some of them below.

1. Neglecting the Prompt

Failing to address the specific scholarship prompt can result in a disqualified application. Each essay should directly respond to the provided questions or themes. Take time to understand what the scholarship committee is looking for and tailor your essay accordingly.

Ignoring the prompt can suggest a lack of attention to detail and commitment.

2. Using Cliches

Relying on cliches or overused phrases can make your essay feel generic and unoriginal. Therefore, avoid common statements like “I’ve always wanted to help people” without further elaboration.

Instead, share specific and personal experiences that illustrate your motivations.

3. Being Vague

General statements about your achievements or aspirations can dilute the impact of your essay. Instead of saying, “I want to make a difference,” provide concrete examples of how you plan to do so. Also, use specific anecdotes that illustrate your experiences and skills.

Clarity and detail help the committee understand your journey and intentions more deeply.

4. Surpassing the Word Limit

Staying within the word count limit is crucial, as exceeding it can lead to disqualification. Hence, avoid being overly verbose since it can dilute your message and bore the reader. Instead, focus on clarity and conciseness to ensure every word adds value to your narrative.

Making sure you stay within the word limit by shortening the essay is a great idea.

5. Being Overly Humble or Arrogant

Striking a balance between humility and confidence is essential. Therefore, avoid downplaying your achievements, since it can make you seem unworthy of the scholarship. Furthermore, excessive bragging can alienate readers. This means you’ll need to present your accomplishments and goals confidently, backed by concrete examples.

Ultimately, a balanced approach showcases your self-awareness and helps convey your genuine passion.

A group of students at a coffee shop laughing.

How To Structure a Scholarship Essay With Examples

Now let’s turn our attention to the process of writing scholarship essays with the help of examples. We share the scholarship essay writing tips that will help you create the right structure for your submission. This ensures that you don’t leave any of the important parts out when working on your scholarship applications.

Introduce Yourself

In the introduction, it’s essential to capture the reviewer’s attention while providing a glimpse into your background and aspirations. You might begin with a personal anecdote that reflects your motivations.

For instance, “Growing up in a small town, I often watched my parents work multiple jobs to support our family. Their sacrifices ignited my passion for education and my desire to pursue a career in engineering. Receiving this scholarship will not only help me financially but also empower me to achieve my dreams and contribute positively to my community and future generations.”

This immediately allows the reader to connect with your background and sets the context for the rest of the essay. Scholarship committees pay attention to background information more than you might think.

Provide Context and Background Information

Sharing your personal background allows the scholarship committee to understand the unique experiences that have shaped you. Therefore, describe your family situation, challenges, or significant life events. This improves the writing flow since it offers more context to the committee.

For example, “As the first member of my family to attend college, I have encountered various challenges throughout my educational journey. My parents immigrated to the U.S. with limited resources, and I often balanced my schoolwork with part-time jobs to support my family. These experiences have instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and determination.”

Showcase Educational Achievements

Highlighting your academic accomplishments is crucial in demonstrating your dedication to learning and your potential for success. Therefore, discuss your GPA , honors, and relevant coursework. Take the time to gather all of your academic achievements before writing to ensure that you leave nothing out.

You might write, “I maintained a GPA of 4.0 while taking advanced placement courses in math and science, earning recognition as a National Honor Society member. Additionally, I participated in a summer internship program at a local engineering firm. This is where I gained hands-on experience that solidified my interest in the field. My academic journey reflects my commitment to excellence and my drive to achieve my career aspirations in engineering.”

The focus on academic achievement here showcases that you have an interest in learning and will make the most of the course as a college student. Showing interest through evidence is one of the best ways to convince scholarship committees that you deserve your educational expenses paid for.

Discuss Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities reveal your ability to take an interest in multiple things at once and show you are a well-rounded individual. Hence, you’ll need to describe your involvement and any significant roles.

For instance, “As president of the robotics club, I led a dedicated team of students in designing and building a competitive robot, which enhanced my leadership and collaboration skills. Furthermore, I volunteered at a local community center, where I tutored younger students in math. ”

This shows experience and development of different skills and highlights your leadership abilities. These kinds of experiences transfer well to the majority of courses that you will find at graduate school. Therefore, it’s a good idea to include to craft a winning essay.

Students with backbacks walking toward a building.

Outline Your Career Goals

Clearly outlining your career goals demonstrates your vision for the future and how your education will help you achieve it. It’s a good idea to show your ambitions in this section to stand out from the other students seeking a college education.

For example, “My ultimate goal is to become a civil engineer specializing in sustainable infrastructure. I aspire to develop innovative solutions that address environmental challenges in urban areas. Receiving this scholarship will enable me to focus on my studies. I will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in my community. Also, I wish to contribute to creating a more sustainable world for future generations.”

This shows that you have carefully thought about what you want to do with the degree, which gives you a sense of purpose. Are you unsure what your career goals are? Then perhaps you may want to take some time and think about that before completing this section.

Mention Why You Need Help With Finances

Addressing your financial needs and why you require scholarship money is important for the committee to understand why the scholarship is crucial. After all, most committees should focus on low-income students who need free money to take advantage of higher education. Therefore, make sure to outline your need for financial assistance to the scholarship provider.

For instance, “Due to my family’s financial constraints, I am concerned about the burden of college tuition. My parents are unable to contribute significantly to my education, and I have taken on multiple part-time jobs to save money. This scholarship would alleviate my financial stress and allow me to concentrate fully on my studies.

Write a Good Conclusion

Ensure you write a good conclusion . Summarize the key points and express gratitude for the opportunity. You may also want to leave some lasting thoughts that showcase your enthusiasm and desire. Highlight why getting these invaluable resources is paramount to your future goals.

For example, “In conclusion, I am committed to leveraging my education to create positive change in my community. This scholarship is not merely financial support, but it represents hope and a pathway to pursue my dreams. I am genuinely grateful for your consideration and the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. I look forward to the possibility of joining your college and contributing to its mission.”

10 Scholarship Essay Examples of Prompts

In this section, we’ll share the typical prompts you will come across when writing scholarship essays. This will help you set realistic expectations for the type of scholarship essay format you will need to work on. Hence, you can write better sentences in your essay and improve your chances of success.

The majority of scholarship opportunities require similar requirements, so these examples are a good place to start practicing. Most scholarship essays have similar prompts, so after this section you can avoid any surprises.

Keep reading for example prompts you might come across and how to approach them.

1. Discuss a Challenge You’ve Overcome

In response to this prompt, begin by describing a specific challenge or obstacle you faced in your life. This could be personal, academic, or financial. Then, clearly explain the context and significance of the challenge by focusing on how it affected you.

Next, outline the steps you took to overcome the challenge and the lessons you learned from the experience. Make sure to highlight the skills or qualities you developed. This might be resilience, determination, or problem-solving abilities.

Finally, connect this experience to your future goals to illustrate how it has shaped your character and prepared you for success in your academic endeavors.

2. Include in Your Essay Why You Should Receive This Scholarship

This prompt requires you to articulate your unique qualifications and reasons for deserving the scholarship. Start by reflecting on your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal experiences that make you a strong candidate. Additionally, be specific about how these experiences have prepared you for your educational journey.

Discuss your future goals and how the scholarship will help you achieve them. Make sure to link your aspirations to the mission of the scholarship organization. Additionally, emphasize your commitment to giving back to the community or making a positive impact in your field. This demonstrates your potential to be a valuable ambassador for the scholarship.

3. What Influences Have Shaped Your Life?

In this prompt, you’ll want to reflect on the significant influences that have shaped your values, beliefs, and aspirations. You can start by identifying key figures, experiences, or events that have played a pivotal role in your development.

This could include family members, mentors, or transformative experiences that inspired you. Additionally, describe how these influences have motivated you to pursue your educational goals and impacted your worldview.

Provide specific examples that illustrate the lessons learned and how they have guided your decisions. Finally, conclude by connecting these influences to your future aspirations, demonstrating how they continue to shape your path and drive you toward success.

4. What Does Community Service Mean to You?

When addressing this essay prompt, begin by defining what community service means to you personally. Reflect on your experiences and how they have influenced your understanding of service and civic responsibility. Then, discuss specific volunteer activities or projects you’ve participated in to highlight your roles and contributions.

It’s a good idea to explain how these experiences have impacted both you and the communities you served. You can emphasize the skills and values you gained through these activities, such as empathy, leadership, or teamwork.

Finally, connect your commitment to community service with your future goals. This effectively illustrates how you plan to continue making a difference in your community and beyond.

A woman holding a cup that says "Like a boss."

5. Describe a Leadership Experience

This essay prompt asks you to showcase leadership skills and experiences. Begin by describing a specific situation where you demonstrated leadership, whether in a formal role or through a personal initiative.

Clearly outline the context, your responsibilities, and the challenges you faced. Also, explain the actions you took to lead effectively and how you inspired or motivated others. Provide as much detail as possible to back up your case.

Additionally, reflect on the lessons you learned from this experience and how it has shaped your approach to leadership. This shows that you grew from the experience and can take the lessons learned into your academic and professional life.

6. How Have You Contributed to Your School or Community?

You can start by identifying specific contributions you have made to your school or community. Use specific examples to illustrate your commitment and the skills you’ve gained. Also, reflect on what motivated you to get involved and how these experiences have shaped your values.

Finally, you can conclude by connecting your contributions to future goals. This indicates your desire to continue serving and making a positive impact in your community and field of interest.

7. How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?

You can tackle this prompt by discussing a specific instance where you faced stress or pressure. Also, you can explain the circumstances that contributed to the situation and your initial reactions.

Next, describe the strategies you employed to manage your stress, such as time management techniques, seeking support, or engaging in self-care practices. Make sure to highlight the positive outcomes of these strategies.

Finally, conclude by reflecting on how this experience has prepared you for future challenges, and your ability to handle stress as you pursue your education and career goals.

8. What Legacy Do You Hope to Leave?

Consider the impact you wish to have on others and the world around you when answering this essay prompt. You can begin by articulating your values and the principles that guide your actions. Also, reflect on the ways you’ve already begun to make an impact. This might be through volunteer work, leadership roles, or personal initiatives.

Furthermore, discuss the long-term vision you have for your contributions and the changes you hope to inspire. Highlight how your educational goals align with this vision and how receiving the scholarship will support your efforts.

9. What Challenges Do You See in Your Future Career?

Start by identifying potential challenges you anticipate in your future career path. These could include industry-specific issues, workplace dynamics, or personal obstacles. Then, discuss how you plan to navigate these challenges by summarizing the skills and strategies you will employ.

Additionally, reflect on any experiences you’ve had that have prepared you for overcoming obstacles. Make sure to emphasize your resilience and adaptability by demonstrating your readiness to face future hurdles.

10. Describe a Person Who Has Influenced Your Life

When addressing this scholarship essay prompt, choose a specific individual who has had a significant impact on your life. you’ll want to introduce this person and describe your relationship with them. Then, explain how their actions, values, or advice have influenced your decisions and aspirations.

Additionally, share specific anecdotes that illustrate their impact, whether through mentorship, support, or inspiration. This is a great way to show that you have learned from this individual and how it added to your character.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose a topic for my scholarship essay.

Choosing a topic for your scholarship essay involves reflecting on your unique experiences, values, and aspirations. Therefore, consider writing about a significant challenge, a pivotal moment in your life, or your long-term goals.

Additionally, ensure the topic aligns with the scholarship’s focus and showcases your individuality. You’ll need to avoid generic themes since this will not help you stand out from the many other applicants.

What tone should I use in my scholarship essay?

The tone of your scholarship essay should be professional yet personal. Hence, aim for a conversational style that reflects your voice while maintaining formality. You’ll need to be sincere and authentic in expressing your thoughts and feelings.

Additionally, avoid overly casual language or cliches. Instead, balance enthusiasm for your goals with humility. Also, remember to be respectful and appreciative of the opportunity the scholarship represents.

How long should my scholarship essay be?

Scholarship essays typically range from 250 to 1,000 words, but it’s crucial to check the specific requirements for each scholarship. Make sure to adhere to any word limits provided, since exceeding them may lead to disqualification.

Also, focus on clarity and conciseness while ensuring you cover essential points effectively. If no limit is specified, then aim for a length that allows you to convey your message fully without unnecessary filler.

How do I make my scholarship essay stand out?

To make your scholarship essay stand out, share unique personal stories and insights that reflect your character and experiences. Also, use vivid imagery and specific examples to engage the reader.

You’ll also need to address the scholarship’s specific criteria and demonstrate how you embody those qualities. Make sure to be genuine and passionate about your goals. This ensures you don’t shy away from discussing challenges you’ve faced.

Can I reuse my scholarship essay for multiple applications?

While reusing essays can save time, it’s essential to customize each one for the specific scholarship you’re applying for. That’s because different scholarships have unique prompts and values, so ensure your essay aligns with their goals.

Additionally, tailor your content to highlight relevant experiences and aspirations that resonate with each scholarship’s mission. Generally, personalizing your essay will make a stronger impact and show the reviewers your genuine interest in this opportunity.

Write Your Scholarship Essay With Smodin AI

Increase your chances of getting into a scholarship program and getting financial aid by studying the examples in this article. The scholarship essay samples we shared showcase how you need to include a personal story to create a winning essay.

Furthermore, pay attention to the top things to avoid section, since this can lead to common writing mistakes that reduce your chances of successful scholarship applications. Scholarship essays stand out when they are not full of obvious mistakes you can avoid.

Do you want to improve the quality of your scholarship essay? Then use Smodin AI to increase your odds of getting the financial aid you need. Our innovative AI tool allows you to generate winning scholarship essays for any prompt you receive. This will save you time when applying to many scholarships at once.

Use Smodin AI to craft your scholarship essay today!

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QuestBridge Applicants

Washington and Lee partners with QuestBridge, a national non-profit organization, to assist low-income, high-achieving students with college applications. QuestBridge connects students with admission and scholarships to W&L and 51 other partner colleges and universities. Almost 10 percent of each entering class at W&L is made up of QuestBridge students.

How to Apply

Deadline: September 26

The National College Match Program is an early-admission option in which students rank 15 participating schools in order of preference through one application.

Match applicants agree to attend the school that ranks highest on their list and accepts them. A student who lists W&L as a preference and is accepted by the university will receive a no-loan financial aid award valued at the full cost of attendance.

Forwarding deadline: December 9

The QuestBridge Regular Decision process enables qualified students to apply to participating colleges, without an application fee, via the school's standard admissions process using a QuestBridge application.

QuestBridge Finalists who don't match at W&L, Non-Finalists, and Non-Participating Finalists are all welcome to apply to W&L after the College Match process if you believe W&L could be a good match for you. Like all students who apply to W&L, QuestBridge affiliated applicants will be awarded financial aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.

If you have more questions about applying to W&L after match, please email [email protected] or call the Office of Admissions.

The Johnson Scholarship Program awards scholarships of at least tuition, room and board to approximately 44 students in each entering class. Johnson Scholars also receive additional funding to support summer experiences such as internships, research projects or volunteer experiences. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and the potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L community.

QuestBridge Finalists are automatically considered for the Johnson Scholarship, provided they forward their QuestBridge application to W&L. If they wish, Finalists may submit the Johnson Scholarship essay in their W&L applicant portal, but it is not required to be considered. Students will gain access to their applicant portal once we receive their forwarded application.

QuestBridge Non-Finalists are invited to apply for the Johnson Scholarship but are not automatically considered. To be considered for the Johnson Scholarship, Non-Finalists must forward their QuestBridge application to W&L and complete the Johnson Scholarship application essay in their applicant portals by January 1. Students will gain access to their applicant portal once we receive their forwarded application.

Visit our Johnson Scholarship pages to view the 2024-25 Johnson Scholarship essay prompts .

Apply Today

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Quest Scholars @ W&L

W&L’s Michelle Morgan ’24 Earns Fulbright to North Macedonia

Morgan was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in North Macedonia.

Meet Darya Philips ’24

Accounting major Darya Philips ’24 counts her semester abroad as one of the greatest experiences of her life.

Two W&L Students Selected for Internships with the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty

Jana Hulsey ’25 and Jalen Todd ’25 will work with programs in Washington, D.C. for eight weeks over the summer.

Finding Ways to Give Back

Jerónimo Reyes '21 says he is so immensely grateful for the gifts in his life, including a QuestBridge scholarship to W&L, that he wants to become a doctor and devote his career to helping others.

A Rewarding Experience

Enuma Anekwe-Desince '22 has found her niche at Washington and Lee University through her involvement in the Advanced Immersion and Mentoring Program, leadership roles in student organizations, and work as a research assistant in the sociology and psychology departments.

Gateway to the World

Julia Hernandez took a Spring Term class in Ghana and studied abroad in France and Morocco, proving that W&L is a gateway to opportunities all over the globe.

Learning to Lead

Garrett Clinton '20 says attending W&L is "like being dropped into a pool of opportunities.''

No Longer a ‘Reluctant Leader’

Truth Iyiewuare '18 looks back at his growth as a member—and then president—of the Student Association for Black Unity at W&L.

Breaking Through Financial Barriers

Senior Stephanie Williams '18 says W&L's First-Generation Low-Income Partnership (FLIP) gave her support to overcome obstacles and mentor other low-income students.

My Taste of W&L

Emily Perszyk ’18 reflects on what W&L has to offer in the classroom and on the court — and how it led to her interest in the study of taste, smell and flavor.

Starting a Lending Library

Edwin Castellanos '20 created a system that allows students to save money by borrowing donated textbooks.

‘Be a Changemaker in the World’

Bri Shaw has spent her college career studying how humans work. Now, the senior has some ideas about how the humans at W&L could work better together.

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COMMENTS

Johnson Scholarship Essay Prompts
2024-2025 Prompts. The Johnson Scholarship Program awards scholarships of at least tuition, room, and board to approximately 44 students in each entering class. Johnson Scholars also receive up to $10,000 in additional funding to support summer experiences such as internships, research projects, or volunteer experiences.
Application Instructions
Apply for the Johnson Scholarship Via Common App / Coalition App. Students who wish to be considered for a Johnson Scholarship — or any Washington and Lee merit-based scholarship — must submit a complete Common App or Coalition Application, including the additional Johnson Scholarship application essay, no later than December 1.All Johnson Scholarship application instructions are included ...
Supplemental Application Prompts
You'll submit one longer essay as part of your Common App, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application. We encourage you to show us another side of yourself by answering ONE of the below optional short-answer prompts. Your chosen prompt may be answered in your Applicant Portal, which you will gain access to after submitting your application.
Latest Scholarship Essay Prompts 2024 & How to Answer Them
Discuss your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service, and future goals. 3. Challenges. Discuss a personal or academic challenge you have overcome and how it has shaped you. When addressing this prompt, be honest and open about a challenge you have faced and how you have overcome it.
Admissions & Aid
The Johnson Scholarship. The Johnson Program Application Instructions Johnson Scholarship Essay Prompts Additional Scholarships Request Information; 24-25 Virtual Events; Applicant Portal; Admitted. Confirm Your Enrollment Admitted Students Day Schedule School Counselors. Letter to Counselors College Access Partnerships
Write An Essay That Wins You Money
3. The reviewers aren't pros, they're volunteers, and they usually don't have as much training. This means that your engaging storytelling, expressive points, and compelling conclusions will floor them. Many have never seen a truly outstanding essay. The bar has been lowered and this is your time to shine.
How to Write the Washington and Lee Essays 2016-2017
Washington and Lee Application Essay Prompts. All items on Washington and Lee's writing supplement are optional. However, applicants who wish to be considered for W&L's merit-based aid must submit a Johnson Scholarship Application essay. Even though the writing supplements (if you are not applying for a Johnson scholarship) are optional ...
How to Write the Washington and Lee Essays 2020-2021: The Total Guide
As part of the Johnson Scholarship application process, you can choose to answer one of six prompts with a maximum 800-word count. By applying for the Johnson Scholarship, you can also be considered for other scholarships at Washington and Lee. Six different prompt choices can be intimidating.
How to Write the Washington and Lee University Essays 2023-2024
This is a standard " Why This College " prompt, where you have the opportunity to expand on the reasons that you are applying to Washington and Lee. The key to this type of essay is to avoid generic statements like "the campus is beautiful," or "the students have a tight-knit community," that apply to hundreds of schools across the country.
The Johnson Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to up to 44 incoming students each year (roughly 10% of the first-year class). Johnson Scholarships cover tuition and fees, housing and food, and $10,000 in funding for a summer experience — a grand total of more than $89,000 per year. Students with additional financial need may also see their scholarship amount ...
Washington and Lee University's 2023-24 Essay Prompts
Option 1. "To promote literature in this rising empire and to encourage the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart." (George Washington, 1798, first president of the United States and first major benefactor of Washington and Lee University) Describe a work of art that has influenced you, and discuss the impact it has had on ...
Washington and Lee University Essay Example by an ...
Prompt: Please describe how you have familiarized yourself with Washington and Lee University and what aspects of W&L's community are most exciting to you. I love the lasers from Star Wars. As a child, they glowed behind my eyelids while I lay in bed at night, and their force powered my dreams. They filled my life with wonder and longing.
Top 10 Scholarship Essay Prompts: How to Answer + Infographic
And here's a winning essay on this scholarship topic from Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez: 8. Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged. Here's an example of a winning scholarship essay from Gabby DeMott in which a student developed a new understanding of herself and others. 9.
Washington and Lee Johnson Scholarship : r/ApplyingToCollege
TOPICS. Internet Culture (Viral) Amazing; Animals & Pets; Cringe & Facepalm ... advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more. ... how many intls get the Johnson scholarship? Ik dat its selective af and I shouldn't get my hopes up considering am an intl ...
The 16 Most Popular Scholarship Essay and Application Questions
Scholarship Essay Theme: Character. As Defined by Merriam-Webster, "Character is the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves.". Essentially, it's what makes you who you are. Common Scholarship Questions: Describe a time in your life that has shaped who you are as a person. This is what I believe in….
Apply
Johnson Scholarships cover tuition and fees, housing and food, and $10,000 in funding for a summer experience — a grand total of more than $80,000 per year, for up to 10% of the incoming class. EDI/II & RD: Apply by Dec. 1, 2024 Johnson Scholarship Essay Prompts
Scholarship Essay Examples
10 Scholarship Essay Examples of Prompts. In this section, we'll share the typical prompts you will come across when writing scholarship essays. This will help you set realistic expectations for the type of scholarship essay format you will need to work on. Hence, you can write better sentences in your essay and improve your chances of success.
Washington and Lee Johnson Scholarship : r/IntltoUSA
The common data indicates that 80%+ international people get financial assistance and average financial assistance is 74k USD. I think such a high average would be difficult to achieve without the Johnson. So my conclusion is many international people must be getting Johnson. Reply reply. nahom_338.
terry-application
Scholarship Essay Prompts. To be prepared for submitting your application, we are providing you the prompts for the essays required for the 2025 Terry Scholarship: REQUIRED: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? Please do not exceed ...
For QuestBridge Applicants
If they wish, Finalists may submit the Johnson Scholarship essay in their W&L applicant portal, but it is not required to be considered. Students will gain access to their applicant portal once we receive their forwarded application. ... Visit our Johnson Scholarship pages to view the 2024-25 Johnson Scholarship essay prompts. Apply Today.
Scholarship essay prompt help! : r/ApplyingToCollege
Scholarship essay prompt help! I have been looking at this Scholarship essay prompt for my school for weeks now and I cannot think of anything and the deadline is NOV1 the topic. Please formulate a question about an issue of significance about which thoughtful people disagree. Then in an original essay of approximately 600 to 800 words, present ...

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2. How have you contributed to your community?

Here’s an example of a winning scholarship essay from Gabby DeMott in which a student developed a new understanding of herself and others.

1. How will this scholarship help you?

Here’s an excerpt of the winning scholarship essay from John Flowers Jr. :

7. Why do you deserve this scholarship?

And here’s a winning essay on this scholarship topic from Jesús Adrian Arroyo-Ramirez :

8. Tell us about a time when you had a belief or idea challenged.

9. How are you unique? (Discuss your background, identity, interest, or talent)

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