I've been stressing over these scholarship essays for weeks, trying to figure out what admissions officers want to hear. Then I read this line that stopped me cold: "Choose the prompt that excites or challenges you the most, not necessarily the one you think is 'easiest.' The best essays come from authentic passion, reflection, and creativity. If one prompt gets your mind racing with ideas or emotions, that's your best starting point" .
That's not what I've been doing. I've been choosing the prompt that seems most "impressive" — the one where I can talk about leadership in the most grandiose way. But my mind isn't racing with ideas for that one. It's racing for the "solve it" prompt about fixing a problem in my community .
I've been volunteering at a local food bank for two years and I have SO many ideas about how to improve food access. That's where my authentic passion is. But I kept thinking it wasn't "academic" enough or "leadership-y" enough.
Ruby Walker, who won this scholarship, says: "This is your opportunity to make yourself known!" . Not to make yourself look like someone else. To make YOURSELF known.
The admissions team also emphasizes: "Highlight purpose and long-term impact. Be sure your response shows not just what you care about, but why it matters, both now and for the future" .
So I'm switching gears. I'm going to write about the food bank, about the people I've met, about the systems that aren't working, and about my vision for fixing it. Not because it's the "right" answer, but because it's the one that keeps me up at night.
For other applicants: are you writing about what you actually care about, or what you think they want? Be honest.
That's not what I've been doing. I've been choosing the prompt that seems most "impressive" — the one where I can talk about leadership in the most grandiose way. But my mind isn't racing with ideas for that one. It's racing for the "solve it" prompt about fixing a problem in my community .
I've been volunteering at a local food bank for two years and I have SO many ideas about how to improve food access. That's where my authentic passion is. But I kept thinking it wasn't "academic" enough or "leadership-y" enough.
Ruby Walker, who won this scholarship, says: "This is your opportunity to make yourself known!" . Not to make yourself look like someone else. To make YOURSELF known.
The admissions team also emphasizes: "Highlight purpose and long-term impact. Be sure your response shows not just what you care about, but why it matters, both now and for the future" .
So I'm switching gears. I'm going to write about the food bank, about the people I've met, about the systems that aren't working, and about my vision for fixing it. Not because it's the "right" answer, but because it's the one that keeps me up at night.
For other applicants: are you writing about what you actually care about, or what you think they want? Be honest.
