Question:
Answer:
Some scholarships ask for multiple essays and recommendation letters because they’re trying to find the best possible match for their funding. Here’s why:
1. To Understand You Beyond Grades
Grades and test scores don’t show your full personality, motivations, or values. Essays help scholarship committees see:
- Why you chose your field of study
- What challenges you’ve overcome
- How you plan to use your education to make an impact
2. To Compare Applicants More Deeply
When there are hundreds (or thousands) of qualified applicants, essays and letters help them:
- Spot unique personal stories
- Identify people who align with the scholarship’s mission
- Separate candidates with similar academic profiles
3. To Check Communication and Critical Thinking Skills
Many scholarships want recipients who can:
- Express ideas clearly in writing
- Think critically about issues
- Show originality and creativity
Your essay is proof of these skills.
4. To Verify Your Character and Achievements
Recommendation letters from teachers, employers, or community leaders give:
- Third-party validation of your strengths
- Evidence that you’re dependable, hardworking, and capable
- Insights into your leadership, teamwork, and ethics
5. To Ensure Commitment
Completing multiple essays and collecting letters shows:
- You’re serious about the opportunity
- You’re willing to put in the effort
- You’re likely to follow through if awarded
If you want, I can give you a step-by-step strategy for writing strong scholarship essays so you stand out even if the application asks for several of them.
Do you want me to prepare that for you?
Why do some scholarships ask for so many essays and letters?