expected in a scholarship essay

[veleda]

How many words is normally expected in a scholarship essay? I have a lot to say, but don't want to make it excessive in length. How long of an essay would a scholarship committee expect?

[Jon Denning]

Hey veleda - thanks for the question. Typically how long your essay should be depends on both the topic and the specific instructions. That is, various scholarships tend to ask for essays of different (and sometimes very specific) lengths, in the same way that certain scholarships may prompt you to include answers to particular questions or thoughts on particular themes. So the best rule of thumb, obviously, is to carefully consider the instructions and guidelines, as they may set some parameters. Asking the school or scholarship committee directly can be helpful, too.

In a more general sense, here are some thoughts to give you an idea of where essays typically fall word-wise. When asked specifically to write a "short" essay (brevity is emphasized) I'd probably aim for around 250-300 words. The more common essays, however, tend to clock in at about 500 words (think of the essays you wrote in high school as part of your college applications). You can certainly write more than that, provided you have the room and something worth saying, but I think at a certain point--probably at about the 1,000+ word mark--you run the risk of either overwhelming the reader, or burying your point under/in too much text. So I'd probably keep it under 1,000 unless you're specifically instructed to write more (or unless the scholarship itself is related to some expansive writing task, like a novella or research paper or something).

Hope that helps!

[nelsonwilliam]

The scholarship essay is a critical part of the scholarship application. Assuming you meet the eligibility criteria, your essay should be written to convince the selection committee that you are the right student to win the specific scholarship award. Here are a few tips:
Research the topic & sponsoring organization.

Many sponsoring organizations have an image of their ideal candidate. It is often not the most needy, deserving or academically accomplished student. It is often a person who encompasses the organization's values or culture. You may get a feel for this by talking to members or employees of the sponsoring organization, by reading the website or by learning about past winners. That insight or perspective can give you an advantage. When composing your essay, focus on the topic and yourself along with the organizational insight and perspective you gained in your research.