Essay Writing Suggestions
Each fellowship or scholarship will require you to write at least one essay, arguably the most important part of many competitive awards. This essay is your opportunity to explain to the fellowship selection committee: who you are and how you became that way; what's important to you and why; your short- and long-term goals and aspirations; why you are an excellent candidate; why your project is sound and vitally important; and how you embody the values that the fellowship program seeks to promote. Because of the emphasis placed on the essay, it is important to allow sufficient time to think about, write, obtain critical feedback on, and revise your essay so that it covers what is requested and reflects you at your best.
In the beginning...
Read the essay question very carefully. Typically, essay questions are comprehensive and fairly open-ended. If you addressed all points thoroughly, your essay could go on for pages. Identify the most important points of the question–the points most relevant to you–and concentrate on those. Begin to organize your thoughts and make an outline.
Just write. Do not be concerned with the prescribed length of the essay. At this stage, you want to include everything. It is much easier to delete than to add.
Look at the binders of essays submitted by past UR fellowship applicants. You can obtain access to the binders by seeing Amy Preziosi or the Fellowships Coordinator in the Center for Academic Support, Lattimore 312, M-F: 9-12, 1-5.
Identify faculty members who are willing to advise you and assist you as you write your essay.
Consult with the Fellowships Coordinator throughout the process.
In the middle...
Revise, revise, revise. Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer once said, "There is no such thing as good writing–only good rewriting." You are strongly encouraged to establish a relationship early with a writing consultant, preferably an advanced graduate student, in the College Writing Center (Rush Rhees G-121, 273-3577).
Edit for content. Have you answered the questions? Are your facts accurate? Confirm that you have spelled all proper names correctly. Spell out acronyms the first time you use them. Your readers will be intelligent and well-educated, but not necessarily experts in your field; use jargon sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.
Check the balance of your essay. Be sure that you have spent the most space in your essay discussing the most important thing.
Adhere to any restrictions on the font or type size used.
Edit for length. Even if your essay is not too long, be sure that you have a concisely-worded document. If you can remove words without changing your meaning, do so. Then use the newly-created space to add more information to your essay. However, be cautious in including information in your essay that appears elsewhere in the application; once is enough for most items.
Edit for grammar, tone, style, and usage. Do not use contractions in formal writing. Avoid use of the passive voice wherever possible. Make sure the transitions between sections are as smooth as possible. Remember that specific examples are better than generalizations.
Seek critical feedback on your essay from professors and mentors, the Fellowships Coordinator, a writing consultant, and friends who know you well. Consider their comments and suggestions as you revise your work.
In the end...
Proofread, proofread, proofread. Do not rely on the spell-checker in your word processing program. Review meticulously for correct grammar and usage. Look carefully at punctuation and spacing. Check for consistency in style and formatting. Presentation is critical.
Make copies of the essay, if needed. Remember to make an extra copy for yourself.
Follow the instructions from the fellowship sponsors as to signing, dating, and certifying the essay. (Each fellowship differs in this regard.) You may need to sign, date, and certify each copy separately.
For more tips, check out these websites...
- http://www.rhodesscholar.org/truman.html
- Notes for Truman Scholars and Other College Students (Not just for Rhodes of Truman applicants!)
- Scholarship Connection