(1)Rushed Writing: Give your essay writing sufficient amount of time-there is absolutely no need to rush through an essay if you had given it enough time. It is okay to work under pressure, but remember no one is at his or her best when under pressure. So we recommend you start your essay writting early enough and avail yourself sufficient time to brainstorm and ideate. Make good use of your school breaks in writing your essays the summer before you start applying.
(2). Forgetting/not knowing your audience: It could be intimidating when you have dozens of scholarship apps in front of your desk, take some time to read about the organizations/institutions that are awarding the scholarships. Read their websites and understand their vision, history, and programs. Then tailor your essay to their missions, or at least avoid offending them. And make sure you follow the directions. Don’t write a 700-word single-spaced essay if it calls for 500 words, double spaced.
(3)Non spicy writing: Use creative and imaginary lines to indulge your reader. Instead of starting an essay with: “My father inspires me because he puts his life on the line serving as a — police officer,” consider an opening like this: “Every day at 5 a.m. sharp, Dad rolls quietly out of bed, polishes his badge until it shines, carefully buckles on his gun belt, and signs on as a police officer for the city of –. My mother starts her day saying a prayer that Dad will come home safely.”
(4) Unrefined and unproofed Writting: Before you run spell-check or start looking for proper punctuation, make sure your essay shines. Are your phrases eloquent and intelligent, without sounding like you chose all your words from a thesaurus? Does your essay paint a picture for the reader? Will the reader care about—but not pity—you? Read your essay aloud and ensure it makes sense. Most high schools have writing centers where you can get advice for your essay—take advantage of them. To catch spelling errors or misplaced commas, read your essay backward. E-mail your essay to your parents and trusted advisers. A fresh set of eyes can prevent a big mistake.
