Do scholarship essays need to be formal?

<p>I'd like to reuse the essays I wrote for colleges, but while they deal with serious topics (accomplishments, goals), they have a lighthearted feel to them. Should I submit more straightforward and formal essays for scholarship applications?</p>

<p>Both my children have “recycled” only parts of the essays for multiple scholarships but never was there any opportunity to use the entirety of the Common Ap or any college supplement directly …as the scholarship essays have some very pointed specific questions. Outside of tell us your goals-- the essays seem to ask to point to the “match” question in terms of values and experiences.</p>

<p>I understand what you’re asking, and IMHO I think the “your voice” component that is stressed for ADCOMs is less important for a scholarship committee and again, only IMHO, it seems a more “professional” voice – one that might be used in applying for a job seems appropriate for these essays. That’s my opinion…and I pushed my D to go that route…she landed over $25k in each of her first two years from three separate national scholarships…I encouraged S to do the same in his scholarship applications this year – we’ll see…</p>

<p>Best of luck-- I also point out that most scholarships do NOT have “waivers” on them…so encourage your child to have someone read and possibly edit the work if it’s looking like it needs some work…</p>