What are the college and scholarship committees looking for in an essay written by a high school senior?

Question

If a high school senior is applying to colleges and looking for scholarships, how can they increase the chances of being accepted or becoming a finalist?

Answer 1

College and scholarship committees look for several key elements in essays written by high school seniors:

1. Authenticity: Genuine and personal narratives that reflect the student’s voice, experiences, and personality. Admissions committees value essays that tell a unique story.
2. Clarity and Coherence: Well-organized essays with clear structure and logical flow. Each part of the essay should contribute to the overall message.
3. Meaningful Reflection: Insight into the student’s thoughts and feelings about their experiences. Committees want to see how students have grown and what they’ve learned from challenges or opportunities.
4. Passion and Enthusiasm: Demonstration of the student’s interests, passions, and aspirations. Essays should convey excitement about future goals and how the college or scholarship will help achieve them.
5. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Evidence of the student’s ability to think critically and approach problems creatively. This may involve discussing challenges faced and how they were overcome.
6. Relevance to the Prompt: Directly addressing the essay prompt and staying on topic, ensuring that the response is relevant to the questions or themes posed.
7. Demonstration of Values and Character: Illustrating personal values, integrity, and character through experiences and choices. Committees seek evidence of resilience, determination, and ethical grounding.
8. Strong Writing Skills: Command of language, grammar, and style. Essays should be free of spelling and grammatical errors, showcasing the student’s writing proficiency.
9. Contribution to the Community: Insights into how the student engages with their community, including volunteer work, leadership roles, or other contributions.

Overall, committees are looking for a holistic view of the applicant that goes beyond grades and test scores, revealing who the student is and how they will contribute to the campus community.

Answer 2

In my 12 years of working in admissions, college and scholarship committees look for essays that provide a compelling, authentic glimpse into the applicant’s personality, values, and unique contributions to their community. An essay is not just a writing sample—it’s a narrative that helps committees understand the applicant as a whole person beyond grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. Successful essays are typically authentic, well-written, and aligned with the mission and values of the institution or scholarship.

To increase the chances of acceptance or becoming a finalist, high school seniors should:

1. Tell a genuine story: Admissions officers and scholarship reviewers want to hear your authentic voice. Share a personal experience that illustrates your growth, resilience, passion, or a defining aspect of your identity. Avoid clichés or overly polished stories that feel generic.
2. Be specific and reflective: Go beyond recounting events. Reflect on why the experience mattered, how it shaped you, and what it says about your future goals. Specific anecdotes and vivid details make your essay memorable.
3. Connect with the audience’s values: For colleges, show how you will contribute to their community and align with their mission. For scholarships, address how your goals or background connect to the purpose of the award. Researching the college or scholarship criteria is essential for tailoring your essay effectively.
4. Showcase your individuality: What makes you stand out? Highlight unique perspectives, talents, or experiences that differentiate you from other applicants. If you have faced challenges, demonstrate how you’ve overcome them and what you’ve learned.
5. Write with clarity and purpose: An essay should be well-structured, easy to follow, and free of errors. Strong essays have an engaging introduction, clear narrative flow, and a conclusion that ties back to your key theme or message.
6. Demonstrate passion and ambition: Committees want to invest in students who are driven, curious, and motivated to make an impact. Convey your excitement about your goals and your plans to pursue them.
7. Get feedback and revise: Draft your essay early and seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or family members. Revise multiple times to refine your voice, clarify your ideas, and ensure the essay is error-free.

By crafting an essay that is authentic, thoughtful, and aligned with the values of the program or institution, students can present themselves as compelling candidates worthy of acceptance or recognition. I hope you found this information to be helpful. If you have any additional questions, please let me know. Thank you!

Take care and good luck!

Dr. Christal-Joy Turner

Answer 3

In order to produce one's "best" work, it is essential to not only follow the steps of the writing process but also analyze and evaluate exemplar application essays as well as actual feedback/comments from admissions committee members. In other words, do the research. By doing so, one will be better prepared to tap into their strengths, skills, etc. to make those necessary connections to the desired features of the university's department(s), etc.

Answer 4

Video Summary

Hi everyone, I’m Coach Donna Marie, your writing tutor. Today I’ll share important information about college application essays. A common question from high school seniors is:

“What are college and scholarship committees looking for in essays?”

Short Answer:

They want to understand who you are beyond grades and test scores. They wish to see your uniqueness. They evaluate how you’ll contribute to their community. They look for self-awareness, critical thinking, and clear communication skills. Let me break this down, especially for people of color and young women who sometimes discount their experiences.

First tip:

See yourself through the eyes of people who support you – coaches, teachers, mentors, family members who genuinely care. Learn to accept compliments gracefully.

Second tip:

Value your contributions, even seemingly mundane activities like babysitting. Ask trusted people for feedback about your strengths.

Third tip:

For self-reflection, try turning off all distractions – no social media, TV, or other inputs. Sit quietly with your thoughts. Keep a journal or recording device handy, even by your bed or in the bathroom. Great ideas can come at unexpected moments.

Fourth tip:

To improve your writing, read quality materials like historical biographies and professional journals. Good writing will influence your own writing quality.