Write a Scholarship Essay “Tell Us About Yourself” (3 Samples) (2023)

A popular scholarship essay prompt is “tell us about yourself”. This question is relatively open, which can make it difficult to answer at first glance. What should I tell them about me? My struggles, my goals, my passions...? Depending on the scholarship, these can all be suitable topics. We show you some examples of scholarship essays about yourself as well as writing tips to guide you along the way.

what they want to know about you

As you prepare to write, keep in mind the topics that the grant committee may be interested in. This can include:

• Your current degree in relation to your overall career goals.You can explain why you have chosen your current educational path and what you want to do with it.
• Your short- and long-term professional goals.Frame your answer as if to say, "Where will you be in 5 years? Where will you be in 10 years?” Scholarship committees like to reward people with defined ambitions.
• Past experiences that sparked your passions.You could be talking about an influential person in your life, but make sure the bulk of the essay is focused on you. At least you're talkingabout you.
• Something about you that relates to your organization.With any scholarship essay, you should try to connect with the organization providing the funding. Don't force a connection. Find one that fits naturally. Mention hobbies, experiences, and goals that align with what the review board is looking for.
• Something unique that sets you apart from other applicants.This can be voluntary experience, professional features, situation-related differences (growing up in an area that did not promote education), etc.

Note that you don't have to throw all of this information into one essay. Select the items that best fit the scholarship. If you were on the selection board, what would you like to know about each applicant? What would make you choose one applicant over another? Keep this in mind as you develop your thoughts.

What they don't want to know about you

There is a lot of information to include in a scholarship essay about yourself. However, there is just as much information to avoid. Some topics to keep out of your essay are:

• Wrong information.Don't make up stories or fabricate goals to match the prompt. The scholarship committee can spot when someone is lying and will immediately disqualify you.
• Past struggles not related to the subject of the essay.You can briefly mention struggles from your past as long as you mention how you learned from them. Don't make your essay one long story about the hard life you've led. Focus on your successes, not your obstacles.
• Vague goals and desires.Scholarships are usually given to students who have a plan. If you say, "I'm not sure what I'm doing yet," the committee will select a more motivated candidate. If you have a plan and a backup plan, that's fine. Just make sure you mention both options and show which one you prefer.
• Cliche stories most people tell.There is something that sets you apart as a person. Use this to your advantage. Don't rely on generic information you find on other applicants.
• Independent elements of your personal life.In most cases, you should not mention your significant other in the essay. You might mention a spouse when you need to refer to your children or a turning point in your life, but those personal details don't fit into most essays. Any information that seems frivolous or inappropriate should be removed from the essay.

Read your essay carefully. If you stop at one point and say, "Why did I mention that? remove the relevant information. Present the best elements about yourself in a fluid and cohesive manner.

Sample Short Scholarship Essay: Tell us about yourself (100 words)

With 100 words, you can only focus on one or two elements of your life. Think about your biggest selling points - the things that show upOfare the ideal candidate. Start by introducing yourself and your level of education. Then jump to the main topic of the essay. You may not have space to mention how the scholarship will help your education. Instead, mention how your education can help your career. The other information is implied.

My name is Christian Holz. I am a high school senior who will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall. I want to be an online journalist. My goal is to work for the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Huffington Post or any other news outlet with a strong online presence. Most people already do their research online, and by the time I graduate, the industry will be even bigger. Studying journalism with a focus on digital media prepares me for a fulfilling, fast and future-oriented career.

Word count: 96

Medium Scholarship Essay Sample: Tell us about yourself (250 words)

A medium-length scholarship essay gives you more space to explain how your past influenced your current and future goals. You should have room for an introductory paragraph, a couple of main paragraphs, and a conclusion (possibly integrated into the last main paragraph). Think of a few main points you want to make and write them down first. If you have space, you can add more details about yourself.

My name is Sarah and I have spent the mostmy childhood with the wrong medication. I had a problem that is common in clinical psychology - misdiagnosis. Professionals make inaccurate diagnoses for many reasons – ffrom outdated testing methods to limited education. I want to open my own psychological testing facility and help change that. Therefore, I am aiming for a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child because I had trouble concentrating in school. The drug My doctor prescribed me just made itme numb to the world around me. I couldn't think or process emotions, or had no emotions at all. AfterA few years ago, my parents finally decided to get a second opinion.

I saw a specialist and she concluded that I don't have ADHD, but a combination of dyslexia and dysgraphia (difficulty reading and writing). She sent us to a therapist who helped me learn how to manage my illnesses and my life improved tremendously. I went from a lifeless student with barely passing grades to an honor roll student filled with joy and excitement.

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Unfortunately, my story is not unique. There are countless children in America who are being administered mind-altering drugs that do not adequately meet their needs. I can't help all of these children, but I can offer a better alternative to those around me. With proper training funded by financial support, I can learn about psychological assessments and make the most accurate diagnoses possible.

Word count: 249

Sample Long Scholarship Essay: Tell us about yourself (500 words)

With scholarship essays of 500 words or more, you can tell the whole story. You can fully discuss your past, present and future. Avoid excess and make sure each topic contributes to the overall essay. If a part feels out of place, remove it and focus more on the elements that are there. By the end of the essay, the reader should have a complete understanding of who you are and what you are trying to achieve.

My name is Sierra Breault and I am a junior at Murray State University. I'm majoring in criminal justice and forensics and will graduate in 2024 with two bachelor's degrees. My professional goal isin social justice so that I can contribute to criminal justice reform. I want to make sure those who commit crimes are treated fairly.

(Video) College Admissions: How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" During Interviews or in Your Essays

I come from a small town where there is often excessive violence and even deaths at the hands of police officers, especially against minorities. A few years ago, one of my relatives was charged with a crime despite the improper collection, cataloging and analysis of crime scene evidence.

This experience played a big part in my desire to study criminal justice. I started to think more deeply about my career when I decided that a desk job wasn't for me. Throughout high school, I struggled with the routine nature of it all. I saw the same people and attended the same classes every day. I knew I didn't want a job that was stagnant like that. That's when I got the idea of ​​working in law enforcement because there would always be new challenges for me. After researching the area even further, I focused on investigating crime scenes.

I did far better academically in college than I ever did in high school. That's because the experience has no routine. Every week I have new projects to complete, tests to study, and activities to try. I was involved with the Crime Stoppers organization on campus for all three years of college and was elected President for the next term. This allows me to work closely with law enforcement to complement my college education and advance my career.

After graduation, I apply to work as a dispatcher in a state organization, such as the State Criminal Police Office. While my ultimate goal is to work as a forensic analyst or crime scene investigator, these positions are typically only available to individuals within the organization. Dispatch is the most direct way to start my career and offers me the best chance of pursuing my dream job.

I am applying for this scholarship to help me finish the last two years of my studies. As a college junior and soon-to-be senior, my scholarship opportunities are limited. Most awards are reserved for freshmen. I took advantage of this early on, and I have a recurring scholarship that covers half of my tuition. However, I need additional financial support to cover the rest of my study costs. I appreciate your attention and I hope you can help me pursue a career in criminal justice. This is my passion and I have a clear plan to turn that passion into a lifelong career.

Word count: 463

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