Friday, October 2, 2009

Getting Started on Your Personal Essay

Sit at the computer and start writing down anything that comes to mind. Remember, you need to let the reader know who you are. It is your job to convince him/her that you are the best candidate to receive the scholarship.

They want to know why you are in college and what your educational goals are. With that in mind, you need to project motivation and enthusiasm. Your first paragraph must grab the reader's attention.

But, back to basics. The very first step is brainstorming. What is it about you that is unique? What do you want the judges to know about you? What challenges have you conquered?

Now, get those fingers clicking on the keyboard or your pencil moving on your paper. Don't worry about grammar or punctuation at this stage. Let your thoughts flow even if they seem disconnected. Keep answering the questions of how, what, when, where and why.

No comments: