Writing an autobiography essay can be even harder than completing an essay on a general topic.

This
issue is not so common but it can define the future of your education or even job because it often required
as a part of application documents. Read this article, follow the instructions, and make your
autobiography essay brilliant.

What Is An Autobiography Essay?

In general, an autobiographical essay focuses on you, your life, and experience. But this type of paper can
be a challenge for students due to its “self-focused” nature.

 As a rule, an autobiographical essay is an inescapable part of many applications for scholarships,

universities, colleges, contests, or even job applications.
 In fact, writing such essays means making a personal statement, which tells the reader more about
who you are, what your personality and character are, and some of your personal experiences.
 An autobiographical essay gives personal details. Moreover, it usually gives the details that you
couldn’t include in your application, resume, or CV.

That's why it is such an important paper. It is your chance to stand out and tell more about yourself.

Need help with an autobiography essay?

Get help

Steps In Writing An Autobiographical Essay

How do you write an autobiographical essay? As a rule, a student will have a writing an essay task similar
to this:

“Tell us about a situation or experience from your life that either helped you to become the person you
are now or demonstrated your character”.

Doesn't sound too difficult, right? It is not that hard to complete this task but there are some important tips
and strategies that you should keep in mind when writing your paper to make it more memorable and
powerful.

There are some standard steps to follow in order to make everything right.

Step 1: Planning

Regardless of whether you have to write a winning scholarship essay or an autobiography for a class, you
always have to start with planning. At this stage, you should define your purpose and goals, choose a
topic, and make a draft.

 First, you need to decide on what you will write about. For an autobiographical essay, you should
choose a real story from your life that you care about and shows your personality. A good idea is
to write about either a great accomplishment or a hard challenge that you have faced. Moreover,
you have to define your purpose. This will help you to focus on the right things.
 Another thing you should always do is consider who will be reading your paper and what your
audience expects to see in your text. After this, you can start generating ideas for your essay. Try
to use different techniques like questioning, freewriting, listing or clustering to find inspiration.
  Finally, you have to make an outline of your future essay. Make it as detailed as possible to help
you write it faster and not forget anything.

Step 2: Writing

Now you can start drafting your paper based on the outline you already have. How to start an
autobiography? A good idea is to jump right in your story. Your intro should start with a memorable and
eye-catching sentence that will immediately take the reader inside the story you are going to tell while
stating its main idea. What’s next? Here are a few things to do next:

1. Always write your autobiography in the first person;

2. Use details to describe the background and setting of your story by making it very detailed;
3. Do not make it too broad;
4. Do not start your essay with a quote, unless it is significant for your story;
5. Start with something intriguing;
6. Make a smooth transition from the intro to the story itself;
7. Tell what you want to tell. Once you have explained the background and stated your main idea,
tell the readers what happened;
8. Finish with a clear, engaging, and memorable conclusion. Tell why this story is significant to
you, what lesson you’ve learned, etc.
9. Your paper is almost done!

Step 3: Polishing Your Paper

After you have written your text, it is the time to read it to see what mistakes should be fixed and what
things can be improved in your work. Here is what you should do:

1. Improve grammar and punctuation;

2. Ensure you have followed the right structure;
3. Make sure you have included enough vivid details to make your text come alive, interesting, and
memorable;
4. Apply interesting techniques to make your essay stand out. For example, use a non-chronological
order with flashbacks to make it more intriguing;
5. Be yourself! Not being yourself is the biggest mistake while writing an autobiography essay!!

My Autobiography Essay Example

My name is Amanda L. Winter. I was born on 17 March, 1983 in Lexington, Kentucky, where I lived
until the time I went to college in another state. I’m the fourth child and the only girl in a family of five.
My father, Mr. Paul Winter is a retired physician and he currently runs a drug store within the city.

My mother, Mrs. Beverly Winter was a registered nurse working for various medical institutions across
the state, until she decided to retire in 2010. Nowadays, she helps dad run the drug store. I went to school
in Dixie School and Paul Laurence, where I completed my elementary and high school education
respectively. Then, I went to Kansas University, where I did my under graduate degree in Journalism.

Growing up around four brothers was not easy, considering the fact that I am a girl. With all the
masculinity in the house, there was a lot of competition and rivalry. I had to be tough as my brothers or I
would have been toppled by their naturally aggressive nature. Not that we were a dysfunctional family, it
was just normal sibling rivalry and it turned to be of benefit to me.
Since I was the youngest and a girl, I was bound to be at the bottom of the totem pole in everything. So, I
had to be equally tough to fight for whatever was rightfully mine. As a result, I turned out to be a tomboy
and also built a reputation as a no nonsense girl. Furthermore, I had older brothers to protect me in case of
a dispute.

I believe I adopted both my parents’ brilliant brains, because I was always the best students academically.
However, my abilities were not limited to the classroom alone. I also excelled in sports. In high school, I
was arguably the best female sportsperson in outdoor games, especially in athletics and volleyball.

I have many accolades to my name, however the one that stands out was in my second year in high
school. Representing our school in short races, I went to the state competition where I emerged third
overall. I was not fortunate enough to win it, but it was an eye opener for me to strive for greatness in life.
Fortunate for me, I won the best sportsperson award that year at our school’s award giving ceremony.

While I was forging a name for myself in the academic and sports circles, my social life was in a really
bad state. My tomboy look was making it hard for me to coexist well with either of the sexes. The girls
were scared of my tough persona, while the boys felt intimidated by my confidence and competitive
nature.

My wardrobe was full of my brothers’ clothes that they had outgrown. All the girlish clothes my mother
bought for me, I had them piled in the closet and completely forgot about them. When we went to the
stores to buy clothes, I would be with my brothers at the boys’ section. This disheartened my mother and
she tried to advise me out of it, but I was just too adamant. Eventually, she accepted the way I was.

However, something happened in my life that sent me reeling back to the foundations of my femininity. It
happened during my senior year in high school. It was the prom week and everyone was geared towards
the most important night of their high school life. Love was in the air. Young men were gathering courage
to approach girls they liked, while girls were torn apart whether to accept or reject their proposals.

All the girls had prom dates, except me. No one approached me or even mastered the courage to look my
way. It was one of the worst days of my life. I spent the night with my mother watching my favorite
movie to raise my spirits up. As a result, I decided to embrace my feminine side. I got rid of all the male
clothes, started wearing dresses and released my hair. My mum really came to my aid at this point in my
life and although it was hard at first, I got used to the idea of wearing dresses ad heels.

So, I began my college studies with a new form of rejuvenation in life. I decided to pursue my college
education far away from my hometown, because of the misconceptions that I had been associated with for
so long. I wanted to pursue journalism as a career, because I understood the challenges and opportunities
it would expose me to and I love challenges.

I have always wanted to travel the world and I knew a career in journalism would offer me that. With a
3.5 GPA, I secured a spot at Kansas University. During the first year of study, I met the love of my life
Ken Rodgers (not the singer, although he has the same deep baritone voice) and everything as they say is
history.

After graduation in 2006, I interned with the Kansas City Star for six months. I then worked as a
correspondent journalist with the Kansas City Globe Newspaper for a year. We moved to Atlanta with my
husband, after I secured a writing job with the Daily Report for a year. At the time, he had a fitness vlog,
where he gave daily workout routines and healthy recipes to his clients. Therefore, moving from state to
state did not interfere with his line of work.
All he needed was a camera and an internet connection. My biggest break came when I was hired by the
LA Times. The pay was good, I travelled around the world and each day was exciting in its own unique
way and offered new opportunities. Unfortunately, the job was too demanding and more times than not I
was away from my husband. I quite in 2011, after two years with the newspaper giants.

I had not quite decided what I wanted to do with my life, so I worked as a freelance journalist for a
Canadian media firm. My job was basically to capture hot showbiz news in Hollywood. It was an exciting
job checking into the fabulous lives of celebrities. I had no alternative, but to quit this job also when my
first pregnancy was due. It marked the last job of my professional career.

I decided to be a fulltime mum to my three lovely kids, Mathew, Sally and Luke. To put my writing
abilities into use, I became a permanent freelancer for various blogs and websites. I have always thought
of writing a book and I believe this is the right time. The kids spend all the day at school and I have all the
day by myself. I have not decided which way to go with the book, however I’m thinking in the lines of
romance and a bit of suspense and action.

Eight Steps Towards a Better Scholarship Essay

Writing a scholarship essay can be very difficult – especially if you want to do it well. Your essay will
need to wow the reader, and speak directly to the goals of that organization, as well as the objectives of
that award. If done properly, you will very rarely be able to submit the same application to multiple
awards – it is not a one-size-fits-all; most essays will need to be tweaked or completely altered to show
the reader that you are deserving of the award above and beyond any of the other participant who also
applied.

Misconception: No one actually reads your scholarship essay! – Wrong!

Fact: Your essay is the key to your scholarship application. It is an opportunity to demonstrate to the
selection committee that you are a well-rounded individual, that you are more than your GPA, that you
are a strong writer, and it gives you a chance to talk about your experiences and qualifications in greater
detail than what appears on your resume or transcripts.
Read on to find eight steps to help you write a better scholarship essay so that you can get the money you
need to fund your international education.

 Step 1: Read the Essay Prompt Thoroughly

 Step 2: Make a List of Important Points and Keywords to Include
 Step 3: Write an Outline or a Rough Draft
 Step 4: Write a Strong Statement that Summarizes Your Points
 Step 5: Fill in the Missing Parts
 Step 6: Rewrite, Revise, Rewrite
 Step 7: Have someone else read your essay
 Step 8: Refine the Final Draft

Step 1: Read the Essay Prompt Thoroughly

Many schools and other organizations that give out scholarships will give you a "prompt" or a question
which the essay is supposed to address. Read the question or prompt carefully and try to "read between
the lines." For example, the prompt you are to answer might be, "Describe a book that made a lasting
impression on you and your life and why?" Ask yourself, "Are they really interested in my literary
preferences or is there something more to this question?" More than likely, they want to get a better idea
of who you are—not only what types of books you like but also what motivates you and what sorts of
stories or topics interest you. They may also be interested in getting a sense for how promising a student
you are based on the type of book you choose and what you have to say about it.

Tip: Always keep in mind that any scholarship essay question, no matter the topic, should demonstrate
your interests, your background, and most importantly, highlight the experiences you've had that fit
with the goals and mission of the funding organization.

Instead of being given a prompt, you might be asked to write an essay on the topic of your choosing.
Although challenging, this is also an opportunity to demonstrate your creativity. Finally, if anything about
the directions aren't clear, don't be afraid to contact someone at the funding organization and ask for
clarification.

Step 2: Make a List of Important Points and Keywords to Include

Looking for sample essays?

Check out our Sample Essay section where you can see scholarship essays, admissions essays, and more!

Regardless of the essay prompt, you will want to make sure to include the important and relevant
information about your experiences and background that makes you an ideal candidate for the scholarship
award. To complete this step, it can be helpful to first research the organization to which you're applying
and try to find their mission statement on their website. Circle a few key words from the mission
statement and make sure to include those buzzwords in your essay.

Scholarship committees are not only looking for good students, they are often looking for a person that
fits their organizational goals. You should gather your other application materials such as transcripts and
resumes so you can review your qualifications as well as make note of what is missing in these materials
that needs to be included in the essay.
For example, if you're applying for a general academic scholarship, you might want to talk about a
specific class you took that really piqued your interest or inspired your current academic and career goals.
The committee will see the list of the classes that you took on your transcript but they won't know how a
particular class inspired you unless you tell them. The essay is the best place to do this. Your list of
important points to make might also include:

 Any academic awards or other honors you've won.

 Any AP or college-level courses you took in high school.
 Any outside courses, internships, or other academic experiences that won't necessarily appear
on your transcript.
 Why your experience and the mission of the funding organization match.
 What you plan to major in during college and how you think that major will be useful to your
future career goals.
 Any special training or knowledge you have, or a project you completed in school or as an
extracurricular activity.
 An example of how you overcame a challenge.
 Your financial circumstances that makes it necessary for you to finance your studies through
scholarship money.

The challenge now is to integrate those points that you want the committee to know with an essay that
answers the prompt. You can see our example scholarship essays to get a better idea of how to do this.

Step 3: Write an Outline or a Rough Draft

Not everyone likes to make an outline before they begin writing, but in this case it can be very helpful.
You can start with your list of important points to begin writing the outline. For many, telling a story is
the easiest and most effective way to write a scholarship essay. You can tell the story of how you found
your favorite book, and how it has changed and inspired you. Start with large headings in your outline
that describes the basic storyline. For example:

1. High school composition teacher recommended book

2. Read it over one weekend
3. Made me see the world around me differently
4. Inspired me to pursue a career in social justice

Now you can start filling in the subheadings with points from your previous list:

1. High school composition teacher recommended book

a. Favorite class in high school
b. Class opened my eyes to new ways of thinking
c. Teacher noticed my enthusiasm—recommended outside reading
2. Read it over one weekend
a. Was the first time I was so drawn in by a book, I read it very quickly
b. I realized my academic potential beyond getting good grades
3. Made me see the world around me differently
a. Started to look for jobs in social justice
b. Interned for a summer at a law firm doing pro bono work for the poor
 c. This was a big challenge because I realized you can't help everyone and resources are
limited
d. Overcame this challenge by knowing that small change can be big, and working hard in a
field you are passionate about will inspire you everyday
4. Inspired me to pursue a career in social justice
a. The book is a constant source of inspiration and will keep me motivated as I pursue my
career
b. The book will always remind me how people with limited financial resources can still
make a huge difference in others' lives

Step 4: Write a Strong Statement that Summarizes Your Points

You will want to include one strong thesis statement that summarizes all the major points you will make
in your essay. It is often easy to start writing with this simple statement. Your essay doesn't have to begin
or end with the thesis statement, but it should appear somewhere in order to tie all the individual sections
together.

For example, your thesis statement might be, "You will find that various experiences from both my
academic career and my personal life align very well with your organization's mission: shaping
community leaders who are working towards a more just and sustainable world." Starting with this
sentence can help you organize your thoughts and main points, and provide you with a direction for your
essay. When you've finished your essay, be sure to reflect back on your thesis statement and ask yourself,
"Does this essay further explain and support my thesis statement?"

Step 5: Fill in the Missing Parts

Now that you have a thesis statement, an outline, and a list of important points to include, you can begin
to fill in the missing parts of your story. The first sentence is particularly important: it should capture the
attention of the reader, and motivate him or her to continue reading. We recommend starting your story
by painting a vivid picture of an experience about which you will be talking in the essay.

For example: "It is 6 am on a hot day in July, I've already showered and I'm eating breakfast. My
classmates are all sleeping in and the sun has yet to awaken, but I'm ready to seize the day, as I couldn't
imagine spending my summer any other way but interning at a local law firm that specializes in
representing the poor. I work a typical 8-5 day during my summer vacation and nothing has made me
happier. But I wouldn't be here if it weren't for one particularly savvy teacher and a little book she gave
me to read outside of class."

Step 6: Rewrite, Revise, Rewrite

A good writer rewrites and revises his or her work many, many times. After getting a first draft on paper,
take a day or two away from the essay and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Make appropriate edits
for content, and pay attention to proper spelling and grammar. If need be, you might want to write an
entirely new draft and then integrate the best of both into a final draft. Writing a new draft can inspire you
to think of new ideas or a better way to tell your story. Some other tips to think about as you rewrite and
revise:
  Make sure it sounds like your voice. You want the scholarship committee to feel like they are
getting to know you. If you don't sound authentic, the committee will know. It is better to be
yourself than to say what you think the committee wants to hear.
 Strike a balance between modesty and arrogance. You should be proud of your
accomplishments, but you don't want to sound arrogant. Don't exaggerate a story; instead be
clear about what you did and the impact it had and let that speak for itself.
 Check to make sure you are answering the prompt and fulfilling all other requirements of the
essay as directed by the committee, such as font preference and word count limits.
 Don't just list your accomplishments; describe them in detail and also tell the reader how you
felt during these experiences.
 A scholarship essay is not a dissertation. You don't need to impress the committee with big
words, especially if you're not completely clear if you're using them correctly. Simplicity and
clarity should be the goals.
 Make sure your essay will be read from the beginning to the end. Committee members won't
dedicate much time to reading the essay, so you need to make sure they are given motivation to
read the entire thing. If you are telling a story, don't reveal the end of the story until the end.
 Check to make sure the buzzwords from the mission statement appear. It is easy to forget the
scholarship committee's goals as you write. Return to their mission statement and look for spots
to place keywords from the statement. Be sure, however, that you're not copying the mission
statement word-for-word.

Step 7: Have someone else read your essay

Ideally, you could give your essay to a teacher or college admissions counselor who is familiar with
scholarship essays and the college admission process. If such a person is not available, virtually anyone
with good reading and writing skills can help make your essay better. When your editor is done reading
and you've looked over his or her notes, be sure to ask the following questions:

 Was the story interesting and did it hold your attention?

 Were there any parts that were confusing?
 Did you find any spelling or grammar errors?
 Does the essay sound like my voice?
 Does the essay respond appropriately to the prompt?
 Is there anything you would have done differently or something you thought was missing?

After having an editor (or two or three) look over your draft, it is time again to revise and rewrite.

Step 8: Refine the Final Draft

Once you feel satisfied with the draft, review it one more time and pay particular attention to structure,
spelling, grammar, and whether you fulfilled all the required points dictated by the committee. If you are
over the required word count, you will need to make edits so that you are within the limit. If you are
significantly under the word count, consider adding a supporting paragraph.

How to Write an Autobiography for Scholarship

When writing your autobiography, focus on what your grade sheets, letters of recommendation, and other
additional documents you have given for your admission do not focus on. This is your chance to prove
your suitability for a scholarship. Your transcripts already reflect your GPA, and your letters of
recommendation already show what others believe you are capable of. In an autobiography, you can show
what you believe you are capable of. Unless relevant, don’t mention where you grew up, which school
you went to, or how your friends changed your life. Only mention experiences as relevant as they can get
to your cause and directly improve your chances of getting the scholarship. After taking a look at the
example provided below, you should be able to get an idea of how you would like to go about writing
your own.

Throughout school, I was never sure what I would do with my life, or what I would study once I
graduated. I always believed that time would help me decide what I should do. I also believed that my
interests would guide my choice of education. In my opinion, education without interest is futile, solely
because without interest one can never excel in any field. On the other hand, only interest cannot suffice
as aptitude is necessary to be able to do well in a field. However, I do feel that if you have the interest,
you are bound to work hard enough to make yourself better at anything you do. Talent can definitely be
developed and honed to a point where it is at its best.

Fortunately, I have always been an above average student, and am the kind who can get good at
something if I really want it (perhaps that is where my belief in interest and excellence stems from). This
is why, finally making a decision about what I wanted to do in college was difficult. I have however,
always had a great affinity towards art and sketching, and have found myself to be good at it. I then spoke
to my teachers, who have always given me appropriate guidance, and began contemplating careers in art.
They suggested that I speak to various professionals in the field. After doing so, I finally realized that
interior design would be the perfect career choice for me.

Ever since I decided that this is the field I wish to be a part of, I have made an attempt to pay closer
attention to design detail in various spaces such as homes and commercial areas. I understand that interior
design is not just a field where a professional is required to choose the color of a wall and the type of a
lampshade that needs to be kept in a room. Interior design tends to go much beyond its supposed
perception, and can impact a person’s life in more ways than one. The way a room is designed and
decorated changes the way a person feels. You would understand if you moved from a room that is messy
to a room that is well-organized, how you seem to find clarity of thought. Similarly, simply by adding a
dash of color, or changing the position of a table, your room can be given a whole new life, without
altering its basic identity. My sole focus as an interior designer would be to design a space in a manner
that brings out the best in the person residing in that room, be it a home or a commercial space. I have
also noticed that the need for green and eco-friendly design is vastly increasing. I intend to focus my
design abilities in this direction so that I can help everyone do their bit for the environment, by doing my
bit. Yes, I understand speaking about it is much easier than implementing it, but I do have full faith in my
abilities as an interior designer.

In my attached portfolio, you will be able to see a glimpse of my capabilities, which I intend to hone after
attaining admission into the interior design course at your college.

Should I attain the scholarship you are providing, I will be able to complete my education uninterrupted,
and will be able to focus better on my ultimate career goal. I will not have to take a semester off to save
enough money for tuition and then come back to continue it. Further, a little additional funding and a
lesser educational debt by attaining a scholarship is always beneficial. It reduces the stress that a graduate
has to undergo in order to repay educational loans, when the real focus should lie on developing a strong
foothold in the industry and moving ahead towards the real goal.

I hope you will consider me for the scholarship you are offering for this course. As of now, all I can give
you is my word that I will make every penny of the scholarship provided to me well worth its value.

As you can see, the sample focuses on the person’s belief in herself and what she would do with the
education that would be funded with the scholarship. Similarly, ideally even you should focus on the
same subject and ensure that you definitely are a worthy candidate for the scholarship. As long as you do
your best, you can leave the rest to the discretion of the scholarship committee. Good luck!

Essential tips to master writing a "tell us about yourself" scholarship essay. We’ll show you some
scholarship essay examples about yourself, along with writing tips to guide you along the way. Includes
3 example essays of 100, 250, and 500 words!

A popular scholarship essay prompt is “Tell us about yourself.” This question is relatively open-ended,
which may make it difficult to answer at first glance. What should I tell them about myself? My struggles,
my goals, my passions…? These may all be fitting topics, depending on the scholarship. We’ll show you
some scholarship essay examples about yourself, along with writing tips to guide you along the way.
What They Want to Know about You

As you prepare to write, think of the topics the scholarship committee would be interested in. These may
include:

 Your current degree, as it applies to your overall career goals. You can explain why you chose
your current educational path and what you want to do with that.
 Your short-term and long-term professional goals. Frame your answer as if to say “Where will
you be in 5 years? Where will you be in 10 years?” Scholarship committees like to reward people
with defined aspirations.
 Past experiences that sparked your passions. You could talk about an influential person in your
life, but make sure most of the essay focuses on you. After all, you are talking about yourself.
 Something about you that relates to their organization. With any scholarship essay, you should
try to connect yourself with the organization providing the funding. Don’t force a connection.
Find one that naturally fits. Mention hobbies, experiences and goals that match what the review
committee is looking for.
 Something unique that sets you apart from other applicants. This may be volunteer
experience, career specialties, situational differences (growing up in an area that didn’t
encourage education), etc.

Note that you do not have to throw all this information into one essay. Choose the elements that best fit
the scholarship. If you were on the review board, what would you want to learn about each applicant?
What would make you choose one applicant over another? Keep this in mind as you develop your
thoughts.

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What They Don’t Want to Know about You

There is plenty of information you could include in an about yourself scholarship essay. There is just as
much information to avoid though. Some topics to keep out of your essay include:

 False information. Do not make up stories or fabricate goals to fit the prompt. The scholarship
committee can instantly tell when someone is lying, and they will disqualify you immediately.
 Past struggles that do not pertain to the essay topic. You can briefly mention struggles from
your past, as long as you mention how you’ve learned from them. Do not make your essay a
long story about the hard life you’ve led. Focus on your triumphs, not your obstacles.
 Vague goals and aspirations. Scholarships are usually given to students who have a plan. If you
say, “I’m not sure what I’m doing yet,” the committee will select a more motivated candidate. If
you have a plan and a backup plan, that’s fine. Just make sure you mention both options and
show which one you favor.
  Cliché stories that most people tell. There is something that makes you stand out as a person.
Use that to your advantage. Don’t rely on generic information they’ll find with other applicants.
 Unrelated elements of your personal life. In most cases, you should not mention your
significant other in the essay. You might mention a spouse if you need to reference your
children or a turning point in your life, but these personal details do not fit most essays. Any
information that seems frivolous or ill-placed should be removed from the essay.

Read through your essay carefully. If you stop at one point to say, “Why did I mention that?” get rid of
the corresponding information. Showcase the best elements about yourself in a fluid and cohesive
manner.

GUIDE

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Looking for scholarships for high school seniors? You’ve come to the right place! This handy guidebook
will give you all the information (and more) you need to find scholarships for high school seniors. In this
guide, you’ll learn about scholarships for different types of students, different scholarships by subject,
scholarship applications, easy and weird scholarships, local scholarships, corporate scholarships,
fraternity and sorority scholarships, and more. Read on for more information on how you can win
scholarships for high school seniors…

READ THE GUIDE

YOU SHOULD ALSO READ

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Examples

Essay: How Will This Scholarship Help You Achieve Your Goals (W/Example)

Scholarship Essay Examples – Career Goals

Financial Need Scholarship Essay Examples

How to Write a Scholarship Motivation Letter

Short Scholarship Essay Example: Tell Us about Yourself (100 Words)

With 100 words, you can only focus on one or two elements of your life. Think about your biggest selling
points – the things that show you are the ideal candidate. Start by introducing yourself and your
educational status. Then jump into the main topic of the essay. You may not have room to mention how
the scholarship will help your education. Instead, mention how your education can help your career. The
other information will be implied.

My name is Christian Wood. I am a high school senior who will be attending the University of Nevada,
Reno in the fall. I am getting a degree in journalism so I can become an online journalist. My goal is to
work for the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Huffington Post, or another news outlet that has a strong
online presence. The internet is already where most people get their news, and the industry will be even
bigger by the time I graduate. Getting a degree in journalism with a focus on digital media will set me up
for a fulfilling, fast-paced career fit for the future.

Word Count: 106

Medium Scholarship Essay Example: Tell Us about Yourself (250 Words)

With a mid-length scholarship essay, you have more space to explain how your past has influenced your
present and future goals. You should have rom for an intro paragraph, a few body paragraphs, and a
conclusion (maybe incorporated into the last body paragraph). Think of a few main points you want to
touch on, and write those down first. If you still have room, you can add more details about yourself.

My name is Sarah, and I spent the better part of my childhood on the wrong medication. I am a survivor
of a common problem in clinical psychology – misdiagnosis. From antiquated testing methods to limited
education, there are many reasons why professionals provide inaccurate diagnoses. I want to help
change that. Therefore, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology so I can open my own
psychological testing facility.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child because I had trouble focusing in school. My doctor prescribed
medication to improve my symptoms, but all it did was make me numb to the world around me. I couldn’t
think or process emotions, and most of the time, I had no emotions at all. I went through this for several
years until my parents finally decided to get a second opinion.

They took me to someone who specialized in psychological testing for children. Her evaluation showed
that I didn’t have ADHD at all, just a combination of dyslexia and dysgraphia (difficulties with reading
and writing). She put us in touch with a therapist who helped me learn how to work around my
conditions, and my life improved tremendously. I went from being a lifeless student with barely passing
grades to an honor roll student full of joy and excitement.

Unfortunately, my story is not one of a kind. There are countless children in America who are put on
mind-altering medications that do not adequately address their needs. I cannot help all of those children,
but I can provide a better alternative for the ones in my area. Through proper education, funded by
financial aid, I can learn about psychological evaluations and provide the most accurate diagnoses
possible.

Word Count: 285

Long Scholarship Essay Example: Tell Us about Yourself (500 Words)

Scholarship essays that are 500 words or longer let you tell the whole story. You can discuss your past,
present and future in a comprehensive manner. Avoid rambling and make sure each topic contributes to
the overall essay. If one piece feels out of place, remove it and elaborate more on the existing elements.
By the end of the essay, the reader should have a full understanding of who you are and what you want to
accomplish.

My name is Sierra Breault, and I am a junior at Murray State University. I am double-majoring in

Criminal Justice and Forensics Science, and I will graduate in 2020 with two bachelor’s degrees. My
career goal is in criminal justice so I can put an end to widespread criminal activities. I want to
contribute to investigations that take down gang leaders, prevent illegal gun trade, and stop the
distribution of illegal drugs.
I come from a small town where drugs, gang violence, and crime are on every corner. My family lived in
a tiny two-bedroom house right next to the town meth lab. We never reported the activities from next door
because, quite frankly, we were scared to. Then one day, there was an accident in the garage that caught
the house on fire. It was early in the morning, and the only people to help were the volunteer firefighters
nearby. They couldn’t control the flames in time, and our house was burned as well.

This experience was not the only reason I wanted to study criminal justice, but it did play a big part. I
started exploring the career more when I decided that a desk job just wasn’t for me. Throughout high
school I struggled because of the routine nature of it all. I saw the same people and attended the same
classes every single day. I knew I didn’t want a job that would be that stagnant. That’s when I got the
idea to work in law enforcement, because there would always be a new challenge for me to tackle. After
researching the field even more, I set my sights on crime scene investigation.

I have done much better academically in college than I ever did in high school. That’s because there is no
routine to the experience. Every week, I have new projects to complete, tests to study for, and activities to
try. I have been involved with the campus Crime Stoppers organization all three years of college, and I
was elected president for the upcoming term. This lets me work closely with law enforcement to
supplement my college education and further my career.

After graduating, I will apply for work as a dispatcher in a state organization, such as the Office of Drug
Control Policy or the Department of Criminal Investigation. While my ultimate goal is to work as a
forensic analyst or crime scene investigator, those positions usually only go to people within the
organization. Dispatch is the most direct option for career entry, giving me the best chance to pursue my
dream career.

I am applying for this scholarship to help me finish the last two years of my degrees. As a college junior
and soon-to-be senior, my scholarship opportunities are limited. Most awards are reserved for freshmen.
I took advantage of those early on, and I have one recurring scholarship that cover half of my tuition.
However, I need additional financial aid to cover the remainder of my academic costs. I appreciate your
consideration, and I hope that you can help me pursue a profession in criminal justice. This is my
passion, and I have a clear plan to turn that passion into a lifelong career.

Word Count: 534