WRITING WHY DO YOU DESERVE THIS SCHOLARSHIP?

10 TIPS FOR WRITING WHY DO YOU DESERVE THIS SCHOLARSHIP?

One of the most popular scholarship essay questions is “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” Answering such a question can be difficult because you don’t want to sound too needy or greedy.

Your essay must stand out from the competition while still being humble and appreciative

Learn essential tips for writing a “Why I Deserve This Scholarship” essay. Your essay must stand out from the competition while still being humble and appreciative

Check out these essay writing tips, along with a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship

Your essay will be unique to your experiences, but there are some general guidelines you should follow.

Here are tips for writing a why I’m deserving scholarship essay:

1. Explain how the scholarship money would contribute to your long-term goals.

You’re asking the scholarship committee to invest in your future. They want to ensure their investment goes to a worthy cause.

Explain how your education will play a role in your career and overall goals after graduation.

2. Focus on the purpose of the scholarship.

While writing your essay, keep in mind what the scholarship is for and where it comes from.

Tailor your response to the scholarship so it resonates with the review committee.

3. Do not be afraid to promote yourself.

This may be your only chance to tell the committee about your achievements. Showing your past success will instill confidence about your future success.

4. Use a thesis statement, just like you would with any other essay.

You should refer back to the thesis throughout the essay and tie it into the conclusion. If you have trouble creating the thesis at the beginning, write the rest of the essay first.

Read through, see what stands out the most, and then write an intro with a cohesive thesis.

5. When explaining obstacles in your life, focus on how you overcame them.

Show that you’re a problem solver, able to persevere through any situation. You can mention difficulties from your past, but turn the attention to what you did as a result of them.

6. Avoid generalizations.

Generic statements like “I deserve this because I am a hard worker” aren’t enough. Every applicant is a hard worker, has ‘good grades,’ etc.

What makes you different, special and memorable? That should be the topic of your scholarship essay.

7. Support your statements with examples.

Instead of saying, “I’m a hard worker,” say, “I upheld two jobs while I was in high school to support my family, and I still maintained a 3.75 GPA.” This is no longer a generalization. It is an achievement specific to your life and upbringing.

8. Use positive language.

Phrases like ‘well-prepared,’ ‘qualified candidate’ and ‘specialized training’ showcase achievements in a positive light. Even in a negative situation, show the positive way you got through it.

9. Avoid words like ‘very’ and ‘really.’

You can typically find a one-word substitute that sounds more professional. Very hard turns into difficult. Very good becomes exceptional. Here is an excellent guide for modifiers that replace very.

10. Take a one-day break before you edit.

Once you have a solid draft written, do not jump straight into editing. Wait a day before looking over your essay. This will let you read the essay with fresh eyes so you can catch inconsistencies, grammar mistakes, and more.

Example 1:

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay (250 Words)

One of the most debated topics in America is how to provide affordable healthcare to the masses. While many focus on accessible health insurance, I believe the answer lies in accessible healthcare providers.

Nurse practitioners often go unappreciated and unrecognized for their versatility and value in the medical profession. With this scholarship, I could continue my training to become a nurse practitioner and provide attainable medical services to underserved communities.

Growing up in a small Montana farming town, the closest hospital was 45 minutes away. The only family doctor in town charged whatever he wanted for an appointment because he was the sole provider. My parents relied on home remedies to treat any ailment my brother and I developed. This is when my passion for medicine first took form.

Minimal medical care was not a concern until my father went in the hospital for severe stomach problems. These were the result of Crohn’s disease, a condition that can be managed with treatment. Because my father had not been to the doctor in years, the flare up was highly aggressive. It took months to get the inflammation under control and get him on preventative medication.

When I decided to go to college, I knew I wanted to help people like my father. I chose to become a nurse practitioner because I can practice medicine without charging a fortune for my services.

Nurse practitioners are particularly beneficial in rural communities where hospitals and doctors are limited or non-existent. These are the areas I plan to serve. I am grateful to be considered for this scholarship opportunity, and should I be selected, I will use it to advance my medical education.

Example 2:

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay (100 Words)

I believe I deserve this scholarship opportunity because I am an innovative problem solver. Over the last two years as student council president, I helped re-organize my entire school library to better accommodate today’s students’ needs.

I worked with the library staff to categorize books in a way that reflects current school subjects.  I will use the same leadership mindset to obtain my business degree with a focus in project management.

My ultimate goal is to work in construction management to increase efficiency in low-income housing development. With this scholarship and the need-based grants I have been awarded, I can complete my education and continue to solve problems within my community