Help/Advice on Scholarship Letter

[Tonks]

> > > Chancie:
> > > I'm a little confused as to what is appropriate to include
> > > in a scholarship application letter.  ... Any advice would
> > > be greatly appreciated!
> > 
> > 
> > Kemper now:
> > Schools are interested in your GPA but they are also 
> > interested what you did to get it.  They are interested in 
> > how you attained your GPA while still keeping up with your 
> > son's condition.  It shows commitment and determination to
> > your goals as well as flexibility and time management skills
> > which I would think is something any school would value in 
> > a student.

Steve:
 Everyone
> applying for a scholarship has good grades, extracurriculars,
> community service, etc.... That is what make you the same as
> everyone else, but it is what makes you distinct and unique
> that will capture their attention and imagination. 
> 
> You should certainly start with your basic academic outline, 
> but, although I'm greatly interpreting very little information,
> what makes you unique is that you have stuggled and succeeded
> in spite of that struggle. That shows a level of determination
> and dedication that tells the committee that you will treat
> this scholarship seriously. That you will work hard to be
> worthy of it, and they you certainly will not waste it or
> the opportunity it provides.

Tonks:
I agree with both Kemper and Steve. I did receive a small 
scholarship as an older female student when I was in college from a 
group that helped returning female students. You need to consider 
the type of orginazation that is giving the scholarship and make a 
sales pitch with your audience in mind. 

Good salesmanship is an appeal to emotion backed up with logic. Use 
both in a balance that appeals to the audience. If the people 
reviewing it are women they might be swayed with a bit more emotion, 
and if mostly men you want to come off a bit less emotional. 
Whatever the group they want to see that you need them to complete 
your education and that you are both gifted and determined.

Good Luck.

Tonks_op