Scholarship essays are often used by committees to differentiate applicants.  As admissions review a lot of applications and have a lot of potential candidates, they have no time to interview everyone and thus, the only thing that can make you stand out for them is your essay. If you want to impress the committee members and be remembered as an interesting and creative person, it is crucial for you to learn how to write a scholarship essay properly, and here are a few tips that will help you out.

1. Think about the topic

Read the prompt and any requirements for the essay carefully. Note them all down and be sure to follow them all while writing. Brainstorm on the topic for a while and write all your ideas for the essay story.

2. Prepare the factual basis

Essay writing requires a lot of planning and deep thinking. As you will have to write about your life, it may be necessary to recall the stories and the information that may come handy. Make a list of your academic and other accomplishments, and positions you have had in school. Also, list the challenging situations you have overcome and remember how exactly you did it, what decisions you have made, and what were the results. Think what you want the admissions to know about your life, and consider putting some of these things to an essay, if they are relevant.

3. Outline and write

•  Start with an introduction, and try to make the reader interested.
• Use personal details to make the essay more lifelike and convincing.
• Provide examples of the way you have used your skills to make the admissions believe you really have them.
• Turn your weaknesses into strength, or state how you are overcoming them. Also, make all negative experiences positive by saying that you have learned a lot from them, or they changes the way you perceive the world now.
• Be sure to follow the rules of academic writing. Structure the essay properly, make sure it has a few paragraphs, and your thought flow looks logical.

4. Review

It is hard to say how obvious it is that you need to proofread the work after you finish it. Ask a few people read your essay and provide feedbacks on them. Edit all sentences with mistakes or inconsistencies. Do not forget to address the prompt and clearly state why you are the one that has to get the scholarship.

5. Use these general tips

• Plan the writing process beforehand and have a schedule for writing.
• Read the instructions prior to writing, and reread them each time you get to write.
• Know what the admissions want to hear. Even though everyone says the essay it all about you, it is also about the school you apply to. Therefore, match your goals with the ones the school has.
• Explain any troubles the admissions can be aware of. You may have had certain issues in life, and it is natural. However, it is crucial to address these issues and provide clear explanations so that everyone knows that you have nothing bad to hide.
• Scholarships usually require resumes, so make sure yours is updated and ready to be reviewed.
• Request teachers and other people who know you well enough to write a letter of recommendations for you. Do it beforehand, as these people can be busy with their own work, and they may not be able to write everything on time if you ask for it a few days before the submission.
• Know the deadline and be sure to submit the scholarship essay before it is due.
• Ask you older friends, parents, and professionals for help if needed.
• Note that you will have to write a letter of gratitude if you are given a scholarship.