Application Essay
Applying for Prestigious Scholarships
Many prestigious scholarship applications, such as the Truman, Udall, and Goldwater, ask the applicant to address a series of shorter responses ranging from 400 to 2000 characters. The following questions are taken from the respective scholarship applications.
Truman Scholarship
Describe a particularly satisfying public service activity. 1700 character limit.
Udall Scholarship
Describe your most significant public service, community, or campus activities associated with your interests in the environment or tribal public policy. 2200 character limit with spaces.
Goldwater Scholarship
Describe an activity or experience that has been important in clarifying or strengthening your motivation for a career in science, mathematics, or engineering.
Address the Prompt
Offer specific, detailed examples to illustrate each of the points made in your essay, using numbers and sources when necessary.
Show Yourself in Action
Your answers should not be your résumé in prose.
Keep Your Writing Succinct
Eliminate unnecessary words and intensifiers like “unique" "entire" "overwhelming" "completely," “actually,” "absolutely" "definitely.” The plain sentence that results usually has more power and punch.
Be Aware of Writing Limit
Be certain sure that your essay stays within the word and character limits.