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Preparing scholarship essays

Encourage your student to abide by the essay’s guidelines. If an essay has a maximum of 500 words, writing 1,000 words will not give them an edge over other applicants.

Don’t try to force a previously written essay into a topic that doesn’t match. Encourage your student to approach each prompt individually.

Reading the essay aloud will help determine how the essay will read to its reviewers.

Review your student's essay. Then, run it by a teacher or a mentor for a more objective opinion without familial bias.

Focus on depth, not breadth. Encourage your student to immerse themselves in 1-2 clubs or organizations, rather than joining multiple superficially.

Students should include plenty of details and avoid making generalizations. 

Encourage your student to stand out from the crowd!  Students should showcase their uniqueness by using quotes and references that add personality to their application. 

Keys to a Great Submission

Review, review, review! Your student's written components (reflection/description) should be well-structured, thoughtful, and mostly free from grammar or spelling errors. All essays should reflect clear and engaging communication. 

Double check your student's submission and ensure it clearly and meaningfully connects to the program's theme. All materials should communicate purpose or message effectively and demonstrates potential for real-world impact or leadership. 

Be sure your student's submission demonstrates unique thinking, creativity, and clear effort. Their work should feel personal, thoughtfully executed, and appropriate to the format.   

Leadership is about actions, not titles. It's not just holding club officer positions or being a team captain. True leaders demonstrate their abilities through their actions. How has your student demonstrated leadership? Tell us about it!

How to ask for recommendation letters

  • Find an educator with whom your student can discuss their extracurricular activities and aspirations with. 
  • Provide your student's recommender with all of the information they will need to prepare and submit their recommendation.
  • Read the application requirements carefully – an application may have a limit of one recommendation, may allow more than one, or may require more than one.
  • Make sure to give friendly reminders weeks before your deadline.
  • Give thanks! Surprise your recommender with a hand-written thank you card (not an email or social media post!).
  • Maintain communication.

  • Ask for a recommendation at the last minute.
  • List someone as a recommender or reference without their knowledge.
  • Skimp on the information they need to prepare and submit the recommendation.
  • Take it personally if the educator is not able to prepare a recommendation for your student.