Reusable Materials 7: Essay Topics for Scholarships

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Michelle frequently chided her mother for saving everything Michelle did as a child. Her mother saved drawings when they came off the refrigerator. She saved a lock of hair from Michelle’s childhood. She even archived every report or paper Michelle wrote in school. However, Michelle had to thank her mother for saving her reports when she used her already written essays to earn $67,000 in scholarships.

Typical Topics for Scholarship Essays

Scholarship committees request you submit an essay with your applications. Prepare 4-6 reusable essays. Committees change topics every 3-5 years. We also recognize that committees shortened the length of essays they typically requested. In the late 1990s committees usually asked for essays of 500 words. Now, they want essays of 350 words or less.

Currently topics include:

• General Topics
  • What traits do you have that will enhance your education and future employment?
  • Tell us about a book or article you read, or class you attended, that inspired you.
• Your Field of Study
  • How will your study of _____ contribute to your immediate or long range career plans?
  • What are the most important issues your field is facing today?
• Current Events and Social Issues
  • What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem? Why?
  • Pick a controversial problem on college campuses and suggest a solution.
• Personal Achievements (Expand home run statements)
  • Describe how you have demonstrated leadership both in & out of school.
  • Why are you a good candidate to receive this award/scholarship?
• Background and Influences
  • Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.
  • Who in your life has been your biggest influence? Why?
• Future Plans and Goals
  • Why do you want to get a college education?
  • Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
• Financial Need
  • State any special or personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial assistance.
  • From a financial standpoint, what impact would this scholarship have?

Saturday we share the tip about how you may use others to help earn scholarships