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| Scholarship Essay |
 Do the judges learn about you as an individual by reading your essay? Your positive characteristics should be showed in your answer. Thornton says: "Curiosity about how/why things are or work a particular way is something the committee values highly." He also adds: "It is also moving when the applicant demonstrates a desire to find ways to share his/her intellectual gifts or goals with the greater community."
The judges want to know your thoughts. Make sure your essay is not a boring enumeration of worn-out media topics. Thornton advises to "avoid writing about the most apparent things." He says to be wary that your essay presents your opinions and not your parents' views.
Answer the question One size does not fit all. Essay questions are organized to get from you specific answers. First of all, study the question before replaying it. Does it ask you to highlight your achievements? Prove your problem-solving skills? Showing your motivation? If you want to submit several scholarship applications, write a separate essay for each entry. "Make sure you answer the question asked," says Gores. "Don't use another essay just because you liked it."
 Your answers should show your background. Depict specific events in your life that drive your opinions. "Applicants should tailor their answers to the question at hand, but should find ways to let their answer demonstrate something about themselves and how they think about the world around them," says Thornton. Brainstorm several possible answers and concentrates on your most creative response. Nesbitt says that there is no problem being creative as long as the question is answered.
Thornton adds that is also important avoid writing about God or supplying a Biblical reference in response to an essay question, unless you are applying for a scholarship at a university with a distinct religious affiliation.
It is very important to check grammar and spelling. Don't be disqualified because of careless spelling errors and bad grammar. "Essays must be typewritten, neat and free of typos," explains Gores. "Applications are the paper version of the applicant," she says. "If you want your application to be received well, it must be presented well." The experts listed many common grammar mistakes, including sentences with plural subjects and singular verbs or vice versa.
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