Every year scholarship committees reject a lot of applications. They accept few. This is not because the students who got rejected were not good enough. In cases a student with a strong resume loses out to someone with a weaker resume but a better application.

This happens because of a mistakes that students make when they apply for scholarships. If you have been rejected before or if you are applying now and you want to avoid making the mistakes it is a good idea to know why applications get rejected.

The Essay Sounds Like Everyone Else

The people who review scholarship applications read a lot of essays. If an essay starts with a sentence like "I have wanted to help people" it sounds like every other essay.

This kind of essay is not good because it does not show what the student can do. Saying you are determined is not enough. You need to give examples. For example you can talk about a time when you did not give up on something.

A good scholarship essay should start with a story. It should explain how that story is connected to what you want to achieve. It should also explain why this scholarship is important to you. If you leave out any of these things your essay will not be memorable.

The Application Does Not Match What the Scholarship Actually Wants

Many students apply for scholarships because they think they are eligible.. They do not read what the people giving the scholarship are looking for.

A scholarship given by an engineering association is not just looking for students with grades. They want students who are going to work in engineering and make a difference.

If your application sounds like you are sending the thing to every scholarship the reviewers will notice. You do not have to write an essay every time.. You should change it so that it shows why you are a good fit for that particular scholarship.

Instructions Were Not Followed Exactly

This is a mistake but it can get your application rejected. The people who review applications use the instructions to filter out applications

Some common mistakes include writing much or too little answering the wrong question sending the wrong file or forgetting to sign something.

These mistakes do not show what you are capable of. They can still get your application rejected.

Common Instruction Mistakes

*. Falling short of the word limit

  • Answering a question than the one asked
  • Submitting the file format
  • Missing a signature recommendation letter or transcript

Recommendation Letters Are Weak or Rushed

A letter of recommendation that is written in a hurry by someone who does not know you well is not very helpful. It will just say things like "you are a hardworking student".

A good letter of recommendation comes from someone who knows you well and has time to write something. You should give your recommender time and information to write a good letter.

You should tell them about your goals, the scholarship you are applying for and what you have achieved. This will help them write a letter that really supports your application.

The Application Focuses on Need of Merit or Merit Instead of Need

There are scholarships that are based on need and scholarships that are based on merit. If you apply for a need-based scholarship and you only talk about your grades you will not get it.

You should understand what kind of scholarship you are applying for and shape your application accordingly. This is just as important as what you say in your application.

Deadlines Are Treated as Flexible

If you miss the deadline your application will get rejected. You should treat the deadline as if it is a days earlier than it really is.

This will give you time to fix any problems like issues or missing documents. You should not assume that the deadline is flexible.

The Application Lacks Specific, Measurable Achievements

Saying "I volunteer" is not very helpful. You should say "I volunteered for 120 hours at a literacy program and helped six students improve their reading levels".

This gives the reviewers something to evaluate. You should use numbers and outcomes to show what you have achieved.

No Clear Connection Between the Scholarship and Future Plans

The people who give scholarships are investing in your future. If you do not explain how the scholarship is connected to your plans they will not give it to you.

You do not have to have a plan but you should be able to explain what you want to achieve and how the scholarship will help you.

How to Actually Fix These Mistakes

When you review your application you should check it against questions.

Self-Review Checklist

  1. Does your essay start with a story?
  2. Does your application show what the scholarship is looking for?
  3. Have you followed all the instructions?
  4. Did your recommender have time to write a good letter?
  5. Are your achievements specific and measurable?

If you can answer yes to all these questions your application will be much stronger.

Frequetly Asked Questions

Does a low GPA automatically disqualify you from a scholarship?

No it does not. Many scholarships look at things besides grades like essays and extracurricular activities.

How recommendation letters should you submit?

You should only submit the number that is requested unless they say you can submit more.

Is it worth applying for scholarships that're very competitive?

Yes it is, long as it does not take too much effort. You can use the material, for other scholarships.

Can a good essay make up for a mistake?

Sometimes it can,. It depends on the committee. It is safer to follow all the instructions.

Should you use the essay for multiple scholarships?

You can use the story but you should adjust it so that it fits what each scholarship is looking for.