Hi, I am currently faced with a pretty difficult scholarship essay prompt (in my opinion). Basically, I am asked to write a 200-word-or-less essay commenting on the “relevance” of my college’s original, founding educational ideals/mottos/traditions for “today’s students at” my college.
In a nutshell, the ideal at my college is striving to achieve a “harmonious combination” of academic excellence, contributing citizenship, and accomplishment - nothing too out of the ordinary. To me, it’s a no-brainer. Of course it’s still relevant? What is there to say, really? lol. Of course we should strive for that balance of being a well-rounded student who both excels academically and contributes to the community?
I don’t want to write a typical, general essay, but I feel like this prompt is calling for exactly that. Any clues on how I can write an interesting essay on a prompt like this?
Use examples. Is there a particular issue/progarm taht you can use to talk about? For example, if the college has a Bonner Service program you coudl relate it to the contemporary issues that the service addresses (like access to education/healthcare in urban neighborhoods).
@JustOneDad I am not asking random strangers to write the essay for me or give me the thesis of my essay, especially since I didn’t even give enough specific information about my school for that to be possible. I am simply asking for advice on how I can approach this essay without resorting to writing some generic BS that won’t win me the scholarship.
@bopper Okay, that’s a good idea. I was thinking of maybe using personal examples too, since I am one of the college’s students today. I guess I’m not sure how I would make the essay flow in a way that makes it an interesting read? Because I have to incorporate all the elements - academics, citizenship, accomplishment, and probably leadership as well.
Thanks!
Any other ideas? “What relevance does this tradition have? Well, it’s very relevant. Because students can’t get anywhere nowadays - grad school, companies, professional school - without having at least some hint of all those qualities.”
@JustOneDad I plan to do my own essay - I normally never ask for essay advice on forums, and I especially don’t post my essay online for the whole world to take ideas from. For this essay, I am still in the brainstorming stage. I haven’t begun the “do” part of this essay yet. So it’d be helpful to get some valuable advice on how I could think about this prompt in a way that I clearly am not currently doing.
I know this is probably telling you what you already know, but since you asked, it’s not just about saying whether it’s relevant or not. You have to explain why. It might seem obvious to you or to anyone, but the point of the essay is to explain why. Give an example, explain a reason, whatever you want to explain why these qualities are important in today’s students. For example, why is it important that students volunteer or give back to the community, rather than focus solely on their academics? One could argue that students should be students first and that they should focus on their academics. Why do you think it’s important for students to also contribute to the community? What skills does that give students and what benefits does it have (to the student, the school, or the community)? Do you have any examples to support that?
I think you’re overthinking it. You don’t have to change the world with this essay. It’s 200 words. That’s barely anything. If you start writing, I’m sure you’ll find that you have more than enough to say and will probably have to cut things out.
Maybe you could talk about how being better educated helps you and others be a better citizen with better contributions? Seems like the “harmonious combination” is the important part.