14 examples of scholarship essays that have won thousands (2023)

Winning a great scholarship can be life-changing, especially for those with financial needs.

BUT people often forget that winning many small grant applications can also be life-changing. The following sample scholarship essays (and our strategy) can take you from planning your college plans and career goals to executing them.

A common problem faced by soon-to-be college students: College pay. They qualify for many grants but are discouraged from the task of writing five to ten to fifteen (or more) essays. It can be difficult to even start writing, especially for the “Why I Deserve the Scholarship” prompts.

A solution forHow to Write a Scholarship Essay?for many topics at once: Choose topics that overlap thematically andWrite an essay or two that goes with many of these essays at once.Below is more information on how to successfully get scholarships using this technique and how to finish a scholarship essay.

These grantees earned thousands in financial support by writing these essays.

The key to many of these essays is that they describe a story or aspect of the student's life in a dynamic way: it reflects many of their values, strengths, interests, volunteering and life experiences.

Many of these essays also show vulnerability. Scholarship committees reading your responses will want to know who is benefiting from this money and why it is important that you receive this money. In other words, they want a better understanding of how your values, qualities, and skills are thriving in college — and how good your writing skills are. In fact, we wrote aGuide to what colleges are looking forThat can help you to write endangered scholarship essays skillfully.

Whether it is a scholarship essayabout you, a creative writing grant, or an essay about why you deserve the grant, the following sample grant essays may help you better understand what can come from following a grant essay format or applying grant essay writing tips.

But first! If you are an international student (not from the United States) applying for scholarships, don't forget to consider a fewCommon mistakes international students make when applying to college.

Would you like to save a lot of time during the process?

Write a great college essay and use it again when writing scholarship essays for similar prompts. Why? Combining essay prompts not only saves you time but actually makes for a better essay.

We sometimes like to call these “super essays” because the added benefit of writing a multipurpose essay is that it makes the essay stronger overall.We have a whole guide on how to do that here.

This makes scholarship essays similar to supplemental essays in that many supplemental essays also overlap. We know that many students will write both types of essays at the same time! To help, we've put one togethersupplementary essay coursehow to tackle the daunting supplemental essays including many skills that also help in writing those “super” scholarship essays.

Kang Foundation Scholarship ($1000), Kingdom Dreamer Scholarship Fund Scholarship through Sarang Church ($2000) and Lamber Goodnow Legal Team National Competition ($1000) by Peter Kang.

Prompt: open topic.

fedora? Check over. Apron? Check over. tires inflated? Check over. Riding the bike to the coffee shop and back to work for thirty-five minutes each evening was tiring for a six-hour shift, but my family's encouragement and gratitude for the extra income was worth it.

A few years earlier, my family of nine had been evicted from the home we had lived in for the past ten years. With nowhere else to go, we moved into the back room of our church for three months, where I embarrassingly tried to hide our toothbrushes and extra shoes from other church members. At that time I made a commitment to my family to contribute as much as possible financially. My sacrifice led to a closer bond with my siblings and deeper conversations with my parents, which helped me understand the true meaning of a united family and the valuable role I play in it.

With the financial stability that my part-time jobs gave me, my mother was able to stay at home and raise seven children, my older sister, who had a learning disability, was able to attend college, my younger sister was able to go on a missionary trip to Korea, and my twin siblings were able to compete in national math competitions . I've seen that even as a high school student, I have so much potential to impact my family and beyond - how a small act can make a big difference.

Through the success of my efforts, I also realized that poverty was just a social limitation. I was low-income, not poor. I still thrived in school, leading religious activities, and taking an active role in community service. My low-income status was not an obstacle but a launch pad to motivate and drive my success.

To make extra money as a young teenager, I started flipping bikes for profit on Craigslist. Small adjustments to the brake and transmission, plus a wash, could mean the difference between a $50 junk and a $200 theft. Seeing how a single inch could mess up the lining of gears not only taught me the importance of detail, but also sparked my fascination with fixing things.

When I was sixteen, I turned to a larger project: my block of a car. I bought my 2002 Elantra with my own savings, but it was long past its prime. With some direction from a mechanic, I began to learn the components of an engine and the engineering behind it. I fixed my brake light, replaced my battery and made adjustments to the power steering hose. Engineering was no longer just a nerdy hobby for robotics kids; it was a medium to a solution. It could be a path to a career doing the things I love. I was inspired to learn more.

Last summer I did an internship at Boeing to further explore my interest in engineering. Despite spending many hours researching and working in the submarine inertial navigation lab, it was the little things that taught me the most.

From the way my mentors and I started working two hours ahead of schedule to meet deadlines, I learned that engineering is the commitment of many hours. Through the respect and humility embodied within our team, I have learned the value of unity in the workplace. As with my own family back home, our unity and shared commitment to the work led to excellent results for all and a closer connection within the group.

What fascinates me most about engineering is not just the math or the technology, but the practical application. Engineering can fix my car... and make submarine navigation easier. Indeed, engineering is a lifestyle – instead of dwelling on difficulties, I work to solve them and learn from them. Whether the challenge is naval defense or family finances or even just a flat tire on my bike before another night shift, I will solve those problems and always try to keep going.

Success is triumphing over adversity - struggling against everything and everyone to achieve what is best for you and your family. With this scholarship, I will use it to continue to focus on my studies in math and engineering instead of worrying about making money and sending more home. It will be an investment in myself for my family.

New York University College of Arts and Science Scholarship of $39,500from Anna

Prompt: Explain something that has had a major impact on your life.

"If you can't make a living from it, it's useless." My parents talked about ice skating: my passion. I started skating in Spain when I was ten years old and I admired how difficulty and grace combined into beautiful programs, but no one would have guessed that seven years and one country later I would still be on the ice. Even more incredible was the thought that ice skating could become one of the most useful parts of my life.

I was born in Mexico to two Spanish speakers; So Spanish was my mother tongue. We then moved to Spain when I was six, before finally arriving in California around my thirteenth birthday. Each change brought countless challenges, but the hardest thing about moving to America for me was learning English. Laminated flashcards, color coded and full of vocabulary, became part of my daily life. As someone who loves to engage in conversation, it was very hard to feel like my tongue was cut off. Only on the rink could I be myself; the feel of the ice rink's cold breeze hugging me, the snapping sound of runners hitting the ice, even the occasional ice burning my skin as I fell—those were my few constants. I didn't have to worry about mispronouncing "axel" as "aksal". Rather, all I had to do was slide and deliver the jump.

From his good-natured bruise-counting competitions to his culture of hard work and perseverance, ice skating provided the nurturing environment that made my other challenges worthwhile. Knowing that every moment on the ice was a financial sacrifice for my family, I savored every second I got. Often this meant getting up at 4am every morning to practice what I had learned in my few precious coaching minutes. It meant helping out with group classes to earn extra ice skating and taking my conditioning off the ice by joining my college skating teams in high school. Even as I started making friends and overcoming my fear of speaking, the ice rink was my sanctuary. Ultimately, the only way I could keep improving was to pay for more coaching, which my family couldn't afford. And so I started teaching Spanish.

Now the greatest passion of my life is supported by my most natural ability. I had over thirty Spanish students ranging in age from three to forty and from many ethnic backgrounds. I currently work with fifteen students each week, each with different needs and learning styles. Based on my own experiences as a second language learner and figure skater, I assign personal, interactive exercises, crack jokes to keep my students' minds positive, and never give away the correct answers. When I first started learning my axel jump, my trainer told me I would have to fall at least 500 times (for about a year!) to land it. Likewise, I have my students embrace every detail of a mistake until they can begin to recognize new mistakes when they see them. I encourage them to broaden their horizons and take pride in preparing them for new interactions and opportunities.

While I agree I will never make a living from ice skating, the education and skills I gained from it opened countless doors for me. Ice skating has given me the resilience, work ethic and inspiration to grow as a teacher and English speaker. It improved my academic performance by teaching me rhythm, health and routine. It also reminds me that a passion doesn't have to produce money to have immense value. Ceramics, for example, challenges me to experiment with the messy and the unexpected. While painting reminds me to be adventurous and patient with my forms of self-expression. I don't know yet what I will live on day by day as I mature; However, the skills my passions have given me are lifelong and irreplaceable.

ARE YOU A STUDENT FROM A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD, DO YOU HAVE A GOOD Abitur grade and are you looking for free essay and application coaching?

Stipendium der North Coast Section Foundationfor $1000 by Christine Fung

As a child of immigrant parents, I learned early on to take responsibility for my family and myself. Although my parents spoke English, they worked constantly to support my little brother and me financially. Meanwhile, my grandparents could barely speak English, so I became their translator for doctor's appointments and every single interaction with English speakers. I still translate for them today and teach my grandparents conversational English. The more I became involved with my family, the more I knew what I wanted to be in the future.

Since I was five years old my parents have been pushing me to value education because they were born in Vietnam and had limited education. Because of this disadvantage, I've learned to take everything I do seriously and put all my effort into accomplishing tasks like founding my school's badminton club in my sophomore year and the Red Cross club this year. Before I started these clubs, I developed a vision for these clubs so that I could better organize my responsibilities as a leader. The more committed I became, the more I learned as a leader and as a person. As a leader, I had the same demeanor as my younger cousins ​​and siblings. My family members emphasized the importance of being a good influence; As I adapted this behavior, I used it in my managerial positions. I learned to be a good role model by teaching my younger family members proper manners and guiding them in their schoolwork so that they do well. At school, I guide my classmates in designing team uniforms and networking with a nonprofit organization for service events.

My values ​​aside, I'm really passionate about the medical field. I've always wanted to be a pediatrician since I was fourteen. My strong interest in the medical field allowed me to open my shell in certain situations - when I was being open to patients as a volunteer at the hospital, when I was becoming kind and approachable to children in my job at the Kumon Math and Reading Center, and when I was compassionate and empathy towards my teammates on the badminton team. However, when I participated in the 2017 Kaiser Summer Volunteer Program at Richmond Medical Center, I realized that I didn't just want to be a pediatrician. This program opened my eyes to numerous opportunities in different fields of medicine and different approaches to working in the medical industry. Although I have a strong passion for the medical field, my interest in the business grew immensely as I soon discovered that in the medical field I didn't just need to take the hands-on approach. With this interest, I plan to also become part of a medical facility management team.

In the future I hope to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor by getting an MD and doing a double degree in business administration. I intend to major in biology at UC Davis where I expect to be very involved in the student community. After graduation I plan to build a strong network relationship with Kaiser Permanente as I started my internship last year. By building a network with them, I hope to one day work at one of their facilities. Based on my values, interests and planned future, I am applying for the NCS Foundation Scholarship because it will not only help me financially but can also motivate me to advance academically. I hope to use this scholarship to apply to study abroad where I can learn about the customs of other cultures and do research there.

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Stipendium$7,500 from Steven Fisher

Call: The Fund for Education Abroad works to diversify education abroad by funding students who are typically underrepresented in study abroad programs. Please describe how you and/or your plans to study abroad could be considered underrepresented.

"Oh look at that," my uncle leans forward and says of my brother-in-law in the living room wearing a dress. "I always had my suspicions about him," he jokes with a disapproving grin, leaning back in his chair with a plate of Southern-style Christmas dinner in hand.

I was injured. Why would my own uncle say that like it's so awful that my brother-in-law wears a dress? That the worst thing in the world would be if my brother-in-law were gay or feminine.

"I think he looks beautiful," chimes in my oldest brother, Ethan. In that moment, I wish I could have hugged Ethan. No, not because he defended my brother-in-law (who isn't actually gay, as my uncle implied), but because Ethan defended me. My uncle has no idea that early last year I realized that being heterosexual doesn't meet all of my needs for intimacy with other people and that I define myself as queer. It all started with me looking closely at how my upbringing in Miami taught me that the only way boys should connect with others is through having sex with "beautiful" girls — that intimacy with other men or "ugly" girls isn't that meaningful.

After clearing that block in my brain that was telling me not to look at guys a certain way, I was able to embrace the fact that I'm attracted to men (and people in general) in many different, new ways . My growth as a person has been exponential. I've rewritten so many areas of my life where I wasn't doing things I wanted to because of social conditioning. Within two months my world expanded to include polyamory. I looked back at my previous relationship with my girlfriend and realized that I wasn't jealous (angry, yes. hurt, yes. but not jealous) when she cheated on me. I realized that people's needs — whether for sex, for someone to talk to, or for someone to engage intellectually — don't necessarily all have to be met by one person. It can sometimes be easier with one person, absolutely. But that's not the only way. As someone who is both polyamorous and queer, I feel like sections of my family and large sections of my community marginalize me for being different, because society has told them so. I want to change that.

As I will be studying in Prague for a full year, I will have the opportunity to take part in the annual Mezipatra, an international film festival in November that features around a hundred high-quality films on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer subjects. I feel really compelled to go to this event because I long to be in an environment of like-minded people who strive to do the same thing I want: to balance the images of people typically defined by clichés and stereotypes being represented.

When I came out to my sister-in-law, she told me that people who are truly committed to their ways are more tolerant of different types of people after having relationships with those people. If my uncle can learn to love me, learn to love one queer/poly person, he can learn to love them all. If I can be an example to my family, I can also be an example to my classmates. If I get the opportunity to travel abroad, I can be a role model for the world. Not just through my relationships, but through my art. Give me a camera and a screen and I will carry the message of tolerance from the audience at Mezipatra in Prague to my parents' living room.

Fade in: two men with thick beards are kissing – perhaps for once they are not wearing colorful, extravagant clothing. Fade in: A woman leaves her house to go to her best male friend's house and her husband honestly tells her to enjoy herself. Overlay: A student who wants to study abroad tells his conservative parents the truth...

Questbridge finalist essay earning $3,000 in application waiver and $3,000 in local scholarships from Jordan Sanchez

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so significant that they feel their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Remember the fondest memory with your father figure. For some it might be when he taught you to ride a bike, for others it might be memories of him taking you out for pizza when Mom said the family needs to eat healthy, for others it's the ability to confide in someone , who won. I will not judge you for the mistakes you have made or stop loving you. When a child is born, they receive a birth certificate, which includes information such as their name, date and place of birth, but most importantly, the names of the child's parents. On my birth certificate I have my beloved mother's name, Lurvin, but just above her name is a blank space where my father's name should be.

As a child, I often compared my life to that of my peers; I would often go through all of these hypothetical scenarios in my head thinking, "If my dad were around, I could be like all the other boys." Over the years, I've always been optimistic that one day I'd meet him and he would say to myself, "I love you and I will never leave your side." But when the time came and I met him in January 2014, I learned that a man can reject his only son not once, but twice.

My father left me when I was one year old and I'll be 17 soon; I did the math and found that he had been neglecting me for about 5900 days. He could sleep 5900 nights not knowing if I was dead or alive. Even though he's been gone for 5900 days, my life hasn't been put on hold. In those 5900 days I learned to walk, speak and became a strong young man without the provider of my Y chromosome because to me it is nothing.

In the past I believed my father must be resurrected, but instead I found false hope to be an unnecessary accessory, and now I refuse to let my being fatherless define the limits of the great things I can do can reach.

It is said that boys learn from their fathers to be a man, that they learn what it means to be a man who has values ​​and can stand up for what is right. However, I have found that sand can come from anywhere. When I was in middle school I was overweight and many other boys scolded me and even after I went to administration several times nothing changed and for several years I kept myself in check because if I had done something about it, I wouldn't be better than the guys who bullied me. I used to have this perception that someone else would come to my rescue, that someone else would give me the mental strength to face the difficulties thrown my way. But over time I got tired of waiting for help that would never come, so I had to become my own hero. Since making this decision, I have been freed from the labels that previously constrained me and regained control of my own life.

See Also

Essay “Why did you deserve this scholarship” (+examples)

My ability to be self-motivated has helped me become a leader in several of my extracurricular activities. I was one of the 4 male students in my school district who were selected by the American Legion as a delegate to participate in the Boy's State program and I am also the captain of my group in the Young Senator's Leadership Program led by California Senator Toni Mendoza . I also developed skills on the wrestling mat. On one occasion I wrestled the person who was ranked as the ninth best wrestler in the state and although I didn't win I wasn't afraid for a second to fail because I knew I had given it my all. Similarly, I've made the same effort to become successful.

My father's name is not on my birth certificate, but it is MY birth certificate. My lineage isn't the brightest, but I've been given a life to own and because "life is two dates and a dash..." I must "...make the most of the dash". I won't live forever, but if I left this world today, I would be happy with the person I see in the mirror.

I know the difficulties Latinos face today and I can see myself helping other young Latinos to achieve their dreams. I believe the most valuable thing in this world is opportunity because sometimes all you need is an opportunity to be successful. Consequently, I want to be part of this opportunity that can foster the growth of future success.

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain a personal emergency or catastrophic life event you experienced. How did you manage to overcome this hurdle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it? This answer is critical to your application as the Change a Life Foundation's vision is to help people who have persevered and overcome an emergency/catastrophic life event.

Completing this application and my college applications has forced me to confront the realities in which I grew up. When I look back and describe my life, I see all the ways in which I am disadvantaged because of my socioeconomic status. But I think it's important to note that I wasn't aware of that growing up. I knew my parents couldn't buy me everything, but I also knew they rarely said no. I was a normal kid, asking for chicken nuggets and looking at Mom and Dad when I was scared or unsure. As I got older I learned to fight my own monsters, but now I also fight those who scare my parents, the monsters of a world they weren't born into. monsters of doubt and deprivation trying to keep them locked in a cycle of poverty; thrive in a world that marginalizes them and a society that doesn't give them the warmest hello with its current political climate.

The babysitter, the housekeeper, the driver, it took my father 10+ years of night shifts to gain financial stability and become an asset to his job. He was one of millions of people who have been laid off and had to start over several times over the past few decades. But each time he rebuilds himself with more resilience. I grew up in Section 8 because my parents often lived paycheck to paycheck, not by choice but by circumstance. They've gone bankrupt because of credit card debt, never owned a home, or gained access to resources that allow them to save. Every time we have readjusted, we are surprised by a new change. I currently live in Manchester Square, a ghost town a spin-off of the Los Angeles Airport expansion project. The 16 steps I always knew will soon be demolished. My neighbors are empty lots, fenced. Homeless people pitch their tents to the roar of the planes. My home will soon be accommodation at an airport, soon to be defunct. Knowing that my family will have to relocate while I apply for college makes me feel a bit guilty because of my lack of resources I fear this will be a barrier to my transition to college. My parents' finances are no secret, I know their struggles when I hear from them day in and day out. My parents are now faced with the burden of moving, no longer have subsidized housing and are once again struck by the need to resettle and reassemble. Moving a family of 5 to an area plagued by stadium gentrification and demolition is no easy feat with rental prices as high as mortgages. It's weird that they don't want me to be a stressor or for it to become my problem, but I know it is and I want to do what I can to help.

My older sister is the first in my family to go to college. I was always the shy one. She taught me through her efforts that the only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself. Following my sister's example, I've followed in my footsteps of never letting money become a reason I can't or don't want to do something. If my sister can do it, I can do it too. I see that leadership is genetic and runs in my entire family. I see my parents leading the way every day as they tackle cultural barriers in a country they weren't born in, speak a language that isn't their own, and raise children to succeed in a higher education system. one they have never had the privilege of being a part of. My family and I are one. We stack our efforts and obstacles to fuel our success as a whole. As I reflect back on my family history, I am amazed to think that my grandpa came to the United States as a bracero in the middle of World War II and left his family to help support millions of wartime Americans. My grandfather, a man of the fields, paved the way for me to use my prosperity to defy the odds.

At home, the teaching role often changes within my family. I am responsible for translating documents to my parents and explaining procedures and concepts as I learn them myself. I had the responsibility of helping my younger sister who has a mild case of cerebral palsy. Due to her pre-existing condition, she is a slow learner. I've spent a lot of time over the past year helping her transition from elementary school to middle school and helping her adjust to such a drastic change.

Sometimes I only sleep 4 hours when I wake up and rush out the door to make it to 6am tutoring on time. It was difficult to cope with my schoolwork and household responsibilities, but I managed to maintain high academic achievement through careful management of my time and perseverance. If I really want something, I have to strive for it and I will achieve it. Sometimes being tired is not an option.

Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship and $3,500 in Outside Scholarship Essay Examples by Famyrah Lafortune

Prompt: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can wield to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela. Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us how you are planning this change and what obstacles you might encounter. * (No more than 400 words)

Nothing is more important to me than ending racial inequality and discrimination in America, as I do not want my younger siblings to face the discrimination that Black people continue to face in our society today. After winning our fight for freedom and provoking the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, why do black teens face higher rates of poverty than whites and are still four times more likely to be incarcerated? "It's been so long. You really need to get over it,” my white peers say when referring to racial inequalities. But why then, in 7th grade, after winning Nazareth Academy's Spelling Bee competition, my white classmate said with a great deal of surprise, "You know...when I first saw you, I didn't think you were it would become clever?"

I hope to help end racial discrimination by using our current connections and running a social media campaign called #It'sNotOver. #It'sNotOver aims to counteract the common misconception that racial inequality de facto does not exist in our society because racial inequality has been outlawed by law. Our recent presidential election may have brought life to a "divided America," but it also demonstrated the power of social media. By raising awareness of racial differences that are everywhere, I could foster a new wave of change in our country like that of the current Time's Up movement. Additionally, if I can access the influence of celebrities in my #It'sNotOver campaign like Time's Up, I could similarly attract the attention of millions of people and inspire action on this issue around the world.

I know that social media can only help to address these issues to a limited extent, as not everyone can afford the luxury of internet access. However, I hope that my campaign can inspire all who have access to take it upon themselves to be the change by being inspired by the fact that we are united on this issue globally. While I expect negativity and criticism from people who either don't believe this problem exists or don't believe in our cause, I'm willing to encounter it if it means our society as a whole can irrevocably grow to make up for differences to accept the other.

(Video) Top 5 Tips for Winning Scholarships

Prompt: “It is very important to know who you are. Make decisions. To show who you are.” – Malala Yousafzai. Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you come to this list? Will these things matter to you in ten years? Why? * (No more than 400 words)

The three things that are important to me are my family, being successful and leaving a legacy. Because of my past, I keep these three crucial things in focus every day to help me succeed.

Above all, my family is the most important thing in my life. The meaning of family may be different for everyone, but to me, my family is life. I almost died in the 2010 Haiti earthquake as Jacmel was one of the worst devastated areas were it not for my grandmother and mother. Later, without my uncle, my mother could not have come to America to give me a better life. I wouldn't be here without my family. I am forever indebted to their sacrifices and I am so thankful to have their everlasting love and support.

Success is also very important to me. I hope to achieve many things in my life, but most importantly, I want to make my family proud, so they know that all their sacrifices have been worth it. For me, success means having a job that I love and that allows me to help my family members financially. I hope that I will not experience hardships such as homelessness, poverty and economic difficulties like I had in my young life.

Ultimately, however, I want to grow into someone who will be loved and remembered by people who are not my immediate family and friends. I don't want to be glorified, but I want to be more than a nothing in this big wide world. I hope that if I can inspire the change I want to make, I can leave a legacy that continues to influence and shape the landscape that follows me. Having come to the revelation that if I died today nothing would change except for the lives of those very close to me, I'm not ready to be just another Jane Doe. I want to leave behind a part of me, be it a building or a popular hashtag, that will be meaningful and lasting when I die.

MORE BIG READING:HOW TO COMBINE YOUR COLLEGE EXPRESSION PROMPTS (TO SAVE OVER 20 TIMES IN WRITING)

Prompt: "The preservation of one's culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." - Cesar Chavez What does it mean to you to be part of a minority community? What challenges did it bring and how did you overcome them? What are the advantages? * (No more than 400 words)

Being part of a minority is very contradictory for me, as being part of a Haitian minority community makes me feel both empowered and separate from my nonimmigrant peers. Coming from a poor background in Haiti, I knew that to be successful I had to be a good student from an early age. This work ethic - found throughout my Haitian community - has proved very beneficial in my life as we all came here to build a brighter future for ourselves. Because my mom worked two jobs, went to college, and was temporarily homeless just to ensure a better future for me, I feel empowered to be a part of such a tireless community. And because of that strong work ethic, which is central to the core values ​​of my community, I am now the salutator to a class of 679 students.

Being so young when I came to the US, I didn't know how American society worked, especially elementary school. I was the only immigrant in a class of forty, spoke little English, and had no friends because of these limitations. Every day during those early years, I felt an almost physical chasm between my peers and myself. Despite my best efforts, I have never felt a sense of belonging. Already a dual minority woman and black, I tried to give up my language and culture in favor of American language and values ​​to better fit in with the crowd. As a result, however, I almost completely lost my cultural identity as a Haitian and immigrant, as well as my language.

Walking the halls of my first high school, International Studies Charter High School, I realized the outrageousness of what I had lost. Where my peers retained their cultural identity and language, I had almost lost mine. There I learned to embrace a part of me that was practically buried inside me when I was encouraged to be more open: speaking Creole with my Haitian math teacher and classmates. As a senior, I now volunteer to help Haitian ESOL students with their homework on a weekly basis. I am both a teacher and a student in this small classroom, while I help them with their homework and they in turn help me perfect my use of Creole. They are my daily reminder of what unites us as Haitians - our ability to triumph in the face of adversity.

Prompt: "The secret of our success is that we never, ever give up." - Wilma Mankiller. Tell us about a time when you failed at something. What were the circumstances? How did you react to the failure? What lessons have you learned? * (No more than 400 words)

I've been dancing ballet since I was seven years old. But even after almost eight years, I still could barely stretch my legs as high as my peers and piroueted as many as them. My flexibility was incredibly below par and I wore my pointe shoes quite a bit to the point that after a few months they became unwearable. Where the average lifespan of my colleagues' pointe shoes stretched to months, mine could barely last ten hours of instruction. I was the weakling of my class at Ballet Etudes, and I was too wrapped up in my insecurities to do anything to improve myself and become the dancer I wanted to be.

After a humiliating lecture that left my pointe shoe laces untied in the middle of our group performance, I all but gave up dancing. I was about to do a changement de pieds when I looked down in horror and saw that my beautiful bands had come undone when I forgot to tape them with clear tape as I usually do did my performances. Glancing to the right, I saw that my backstage ballet teacher had also taken notice and was rushing me to get off the stage, her hands frantically waving at me. After berating myself for not tying my shoelaces properly, I was not allowed to finish my part. Later that evening I was hardly able to get back on stage for our last performance because I didn't want to let myself and my team down again. But moving to Port Saint Lucie the summer before sophomore year allowed me to rekindle my passion for ballet and pointe with the South Florida Dance Company. South Florida Dance Company was my salvation, a place to restart my experience in dance and renew the joy I once felt in my art. It was an amazing feeling to regain my confidence and certainty in my abilities as a result of the extra help I received from my dance teacher Ms. Amanda.

Currently, I always remind myself to be the best I can be and to positively use my dance role models like Misty Copeland to encourage me to be a better dancer. From this experience I learned that in order to overcome personal mistakes I need to move forward and think positively because change doesn't happen by sitting still.

National Association of University Women Scholarship Essay Examples by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Prompt: Please explain how your experience of volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Explain how these experiences influenced your future aspirations and career choices.

I didn't really understand my community until I was forced to see it from the outside; kinda like when you see a picture of yourself taken by someone else you didn't know about. It took me a 3,000 mile flight to gain a different perspective on the world, on my world. When I landed in Maine, it wasn't like the place I called home. There was no traffic, there were a lot of trees and there was absolutely no Spanish to be heard. What I missed my people, my home and my community the most was seeing how other communities nurtured creativity, advocacy and community involvement.

I spoke about my community at every opportunity, wrote a public backlash against Donald Trump, and read to the parent group to show them my unique struggle. The election of Donald Trump has forced me to confront the harsh realities of this world. The lack of respect he shows for women, minority groups and factual evidence is alarming. This presidency makes me want to refute all of his perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrants, the woman. I have left people in awe and left myself empowered. I had people come up to me and explain that they can relate to my poem about not belonging, being Mexican-American and not feeling American or Mexican because you are both. I stressed that like many others I stand in between and we have the same platform that everyone else uses to be successful. I explained that many of us exert this pressure from first-generation immigrant children to prove that we are proof that the sacrifices of starting over in a new country have paid off for our parents. I was the visible representation of a first-generation immigrant child who, despite my background, ventured into a new environment and shocked everyone with my wealth.

If I were the only visible representation available, I would use my voice to reflect the sentiments of my entire community and to make known that we are all here - all our struggles, our struggles and our passions are not absent from places where we are not be seen.

Maine helped me branch out now as a student ambassador in my own community. From this experience I learned that I can represent my high school and have the responsibility of supporting the staff at events for prospective students and organizing presentations for parents. I spend a lot of time interpreting at meetings for parents and explaining current events and new educational opportunities that students should take advantage of. I have had the privilege of working with office staff and the Principal where I can devote my time positively to parents who have general questions about the school's upcoming events. By dedicating my time as a Student Ambassador, I have allowed myself to excel in communicating with others and honed my customer service skills. I want my education to change the negative stigmas surrounding my community by showing that it is possible to expand your access to the world and allow you to leave voluntarily by receiving a post-secondary education. I'm someone who grew up in an area of ​​limited resources that encourages limited ways of thinking. In my neighborhood there are 4 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and a strip club, just a few yards from a library. What message does this send to children? In my community, it's normal to have pregnant classmates in high school. People are unaware of the world out there, they are not encouraged to ever leave it.

Through my experience as a volunteer who communicates extensively with parents, I've learned that the American Dream doesn't just belong to first-generation students like me. I have found that our achievements are based on the sacrifices made by our parents. I used to think that coming of age is like passing a baton where you are the next runner and it's your turn to run your best race, but now I see that this is a team effort as you expand your horizons too for your family learn about the benefits. I want to show my community that there can be a bilingual Latina doctor. I want to show that the zip code does not determine success. One of the most common questions I get at these parent meetings is “which is better, college or university”? This question didn't make sense to me at first, then I realized parents wanted to know the difference between community college and a four-year college. Concepts like financial aid, scholarships, loans are all foreign words since most of our parents never went to college. They want to be able to help but don't know where to start. As a student ambassador, I've helped fill that gap. We often held meetings where we explained to parents in our community what resources were out there and available and what the difference was between the different options for each student. As a student face for Animo, I have learned that as a student and daughter, I can help my own community through the knowledge I gain. I am the communication needed in my community, necessary for continued success, using my personal knowledge and experience to help uplift and educate others in similar situations.

Prompt: In your essay, discuss any challenges or obstacles you have faced and overcome in life and how it will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer work, community service or extracurricular activities have shaped you today and what you have learned from it. May also include future educational plans and career goals. [250-500 words]

I've encountered an emotional barrier that's making it difficult to manage my schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and family commitments. I had to deal with being brutally raped by a colleague during my sophomore year, which led to severe depression. I am no longer allowed to be alone for long periods of time as I have attempted suicide twice, but I do not consider these to be real attempts to end my life. I just wanted someone to know how I feel and how much I need help. My past has only made me more resilient as I choose to prove to myself and those around me that I am more than the barriers I have encountered - but overcome.

It took me a 3,000 mile flight to gain a different perspective on my world. Landing in Maine wasn't like home. There was no traffic, lots of trees and absolutely no Spanish to be heard anywhere. I was a 10th grader when I found myself at Coastal Studies for Girls, a marine science and leadership school; I would stay there for a whole semester. I was surrounded by strangers who looked different, sounded different, and could recite details of tide pools in easy conversation.

I was the visible representation of a first-generation immigrant child venturing into a new environment. An environment in which I wanted to refute all perceptions of people like me, the poor, the immigrant, the brown woman. I used my voice to express my community and let it be known that we are here - all our struggles, our struggles and our passions are not absent in places where we are not seen.

When I returned home, I had the privilege of working with the school administration as a student ambassador. I was able to positively devote my time to parents who have general questions about the school and help translate information.

I've learned that the American Dream doesn't just belong to first-generation students like me, but I now see that it's a team effort because as you expand, your family can also reap the benefits.

One of the most common questions at parents' evenings is "which is better college or university"? This question didn't make any sense to me, I then realized that parents want to know the difference between an adult education center and a four-year-old. Concepts like financial aid, scholarships, loans are all foreign words since most of our parents never went to college. As a student ambassador, I help to close this gap. We often hold meetings where we have explained the resources available and the different options for each student. I learned that as a student I can use my knowledge to help my own community. I am the communication necessary for continued success, using my personal knowledge and experience to uplift and educate others in similar situations. My aspiration is not just to go to college, but to thrive and be willing and able to help students like me who are struggling for their place in the classroom.

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Stipendium $7.500 von Steven Fisher

Solicitation: The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQ student who wishes to enroll in a quality, rigorous educational program abroad. If you would like to be considered, please explain why you would be a strong candidate for the Rainbow Scholarship. What can you achieve for yourself and your LGBTQ community with this scholarship?

My goal in life is to make films that change the way society sees groups of people typically defined by stereotypes and clichés. By immersing myself in Prague culture through the American Institute of Foreign Study's year-long program, I gain the cinematic and philosophical tools to create films that help others better understand the LGBTQ community. I've been making films since I was old enough to hold a camera, but now I want to take it a step further.

Abroad I attend the Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague. The Hollywood Reporter puts FAMU at the top of the list of the best film schools in Europe. I put it high on my list of potential graduate schools because it was the center of Czech filmmaking during communist rule in the 1960s. FAMU was where rebellious filmmakers broke the shackles of censorship by creating films that portrayed the perspectives of marginalized people. I want to do the same today. I ask: What can Czechoslovak new wave filmmakers and their struggle for social equality teach me about making films that help liberate LGBTQ members in my own community? Here I find my answers:

In November, the international film festival Mezipatra in Prague shows around a hundred top-class films on lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer subjects. What better place for a queer filmmaker obsessed with Czech new wave film to meet people to learn and collaborate with?

I would also like to volunteer for a photography project at Lobkowicz Palace and Nelahozeves Castle, 15km from Prague, where I will find one of the world's largest private collections of world-famous artworks, artifacts and a library of over 65,000 volumes. I hope to improve my skills with a camera and get a magnified view of Prague's history. I will wear my Canon t2i like a glove.

And finally, I hope to better understand Czech culture related to filmmaking by studying at Charles University and taking courses like Central European Film: Search for Identity and Hollywood and Europe. I will get closer to the performance and character elements of the film by attending the theater course “Prague Theater Scene: Performance Analysis”. Eventually, I will learn to better listen to what my community in Prague has to say (literally and figuratively) by attending Czech classes in a two-week intensive course that includes two language-related sessions that connect students to the local environment deal with.

Traveling abroad in Prague gives me a new perspective and opens myself up to influence. I want to use my experience to create films that convince others to do the same - as a representative of the LGBTQ community I want to send the message of acceptance and tolerance to the world, from the screens of the Mezipatra in Prague to my conservative Parents' TV.

$1,000 Amani Davis Local School District Scholarship.

Last February I attended a Divas in Defense workshop. In this class, our group met a woman who had survived domestic violence. She was also close to becoming a victim of sex trafficking. From this I learned that intimate partner violence is the leading cause of femicide and injury-related deaths during pregnancy. While it's not a common hot topic, many people go through it every day. These people are not only women, but also men and children. As such, domestic violence is an issue that is under-discussed but nonetheless extremely important.

One in four women will experience severe violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. This means that our mothers, sisters, grandmothers or even daughters can become victims of domestic violence. We have to be the ones willing to start the conversation because many victims are afraid. Every day more people are talking about their own stories. Celebrities like Bill Clinton, Rihanna and Halle Berry have spoken out about their personal experiences of domestic violence. These views make people see domestic violence as a bigger problem and a problem that needs to be disclosed. All in all, domestic violence is all around us.

In addition, abuse can harm people physically, mentally, and financially. Physical abuse leads to injuries that cost money to repair. Many remain in or return to an abusive relationship because they lack the financial means to live alone. Additionally, children growing up experiencing domestic violence are 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually abused than the national average. In short, abuse can have various effects on those involved.

Presumably, domestic violence in minority communities is often kept secret. Overall, we must be proactive and reactive to combat the current abuse problem. Still, we have to be the change we want to see. Ultimately, domestic violence is not an issue that can be completely eliminated, but we can really make a difference through education and prevention. Some issues need to be resolved internally before we see a big turnaround.

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