136 / Types of Writing
• Allow extra time for delivery so that your submission arrives in a timely
fashion, not at the last minute.STEP 2: Prewriting—Studying Scholarship
Requirements
Sometimes students waste time applying for a scholarship for which they are ineli-
gible. Before you apply for a scholarship, read the application details carefully to
find out prerequisites such as these:
- Must^ applicants^ have^ a^ certain^ overall^ grade-point^ average?
-^ Must applicants have completed course work and/or earned a given grade-
point average in certain specified academic areas? - Must^ applicants^ possess^ certain^ skills,^ such^ as^ athletic^ or^ musical^ talents?
- Is^ the^ scholarship^ restricted^ by^ the^ applicant’s^ financial^ situation?
- Is^ the^ scholarship^ limited^ to^ a^ certain^ university^ or^ field^ of^ study?
- Are^ other^ prerequisites^ named^ that^ limit^ otherwise^ qualified^ applicants?
- Does^ your^ situation^ fit^ the^ requirements?
STEP 3: Prewriting—Analyzing the Grantor
Scholarships offered by businesses or foundations often seek applicants whose inter-
ests mirror their own. Thus, think about who is offering the money and what motives
the grantor may have. Be sure you know the answers to the following questions:
- Must^ the^ winner^ be^ the^ son^ or^ daughter^ of^ someone^ in^ the^ grantor’s^ employ?
-^ Must the recipient plan to major in a field related to the needs or interests of
the company, business, or foundation granting the scholarship?
-^ Does the grantor attach any strings to the scholarship, like requiring summer
internships or a year’s employment after graduation?
-^ In turn, what can you offer the grantor in terms of academic success, special
talents, or future employment?
STEP 4: Prewriting—Studying the Question
Most scholarship applications ask students to respond to a question or situation.
Your response gives you the opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd, show
your skills and talents, and situate yourself as a commendable student worthy of the
grantor’s investment. Your essay response should
-^ emphasize your qualifications and
-^ illustrate to the selection committee your achievements and goals.