Why Are You Applying to This Scholarship Essay (with Example)

When you are applying to scholarships, it is important that you understand the college, company, or organization that is awarding the scholarship. What do they believe in? Why are they awarding the scholarship?

Understanding the organization or company will allow you to write your scholarship application in a way which is geared towards the specific company. This will increase your chances of winning the scholarship.

“Why Are You Applying to This Scholarship?”

You will probably have to write a personal essay. If you have to answer ‘Why are you applying to this scholarship?’ it’s important that you direct your essay in a way that speaks to the scholarship committee. You want the scholarship committee to think “wow, this is the right person for the scholarship” when they’re reading your application.

To answer this question as informative as possible, you need to do research before starting to write the essay. Get on Google and start reading about the scholarship provider. Visit their website and find their ‘About’ section. What do they do? Do they have a mission statement? Maybe they list past scholarship winners and you can read about these students.

You should look for scholarships that match who you are and what you want to do. If you are interested in working in medicine, look for scholarships which award medical students.

Writing the Essay

Now that you have found scholarships which are in line with your career and educational goals, start making a list. What reasons do you have for applying to the scholarship?

Maybe you can’t fulfil your goal of becoming a doctor if you don’t win scholarships to pay for tuition.

Now that you have made a list of your reasons, you are ready to begin writing. Start your essay in a way that will grab your reader’s attention. Make sure to share personal experiences, whether they are achievements or hardships you’ve overcome. Keep your essay personal and give specific details whenever possible.

When you’re done writing your essay, go over it several times. Put yourself in the place of the reader. Do you convey clearly enough to the reader why you applied to the scholarship?  Send it to family members to read and revise.

Why Are you Applying To This Scholarship Example:

See this example of a student applying to the Environmental Studies Scholarship Program in order to study environmental science at the University of Virginia.

Dear Scholarship Committee,

Two years ago, I learned that over 100,000 ocean animals die every year from plastic. Two years ago, I became committed to reducing the amount of plastic I use. Two years ago I became a minimalist.

I am the kind of person that once exposed to a fact, I am unable to turn a blind eye to it. When I understood the crux of consumerism and the impact that it was having on our earth, I knew that I had to do something about it.

I started small. I bought a stainless steel water bottle and started using reusable grocery bags. I stopped purchasing food items wrapped in plastic. I started making my own soaps and deodorant. I started shopping in second-hand stores.

But, I knew that my initiatives weren’t enough. Sure, they were something. But I knew that I had to involve more people in my undertaking. So, naturally, I took to social media.

I began to share my zero-waste project with family and friends. I started to see a lot of support coming in. People were interested. How was I making my dish soap, they wanted to know. Where were the best second-hand shops? There was a response.

So, I started a Facebook page called “Clean Your Act” and began to share environmental problems that were happening around the world. I also shared my tips on reducing your waste.

I decided to start an environmental awareness group at my high school, during my junior year. I recruited an environmental science teacher to help me. Every week, I share with participants how-to’s like starting a compost. We also have discussions on environmental issues plaguing our planet.

Next year, I will be starting my bachelor’s degree at the environmental science school of the University of Virginia. With the rising costs of college, it will be difficult for me to pay for the expenses on my own.

For this reason, I am applying to the Environmental Studies Scholarship Program. I have dreams of pursuing this field and by obtaining a degree in it, I know that I will get the necessary tools to grow my passion into something big.

I am going to work very hard in the program and learn all that I can. I am hoping to bring my “Clean Your Act” group to campus and get other students involved in the movement.

I am committed to saving our environment, one animal and tree at a time. I may not be able to save all 100,000 animals, but I can definitely save some of them. I don’t need to move mountains to save the world. But, if I can make others appreciate the mountains and our world, then they’ll want to learn how to treat it better.