Essays and recommendation letters

Printable resources to use with students, in addition to what is already on the site: our tips for a strong application, and the Essays and Recommendations pages in a student's free account, where students save essays to reuse and track each recommendation request. Print this page to get every sheet, or take just the part you need.

A 50-minute session plan that uses them

Scholarship essays

1. Choose your stories

Most scholarship prompts can be answered with one of a handful of stories. Have students write a few words for each, then pick the strongest to turn into an essay.

A challenge I faced and what I did
A time I led or helped someone
Something I care about and why
A moment I changed my mind

2. One story, many prompts

Writing a strong essay once and adapting it is normal. The key is that each version answers that sponsor's question.

The story	Prompts it can answer
A challenge you faced	Overcoming obstacles, resilience, personal growth, a time you failed, what you learned
A time you led or helped	Leadership, community service, teamwork, making a difference, giving back
Something you care about	Career goals, why this major, what you would do with the scholarship, your passion
A moment you changed your mind	Growth, a different point of view, a lesson that stayed with you
Your family, culture or community	Heritage, identity, what shaped you, who you are outside the classroom

3. Feedback rubric

For students to score a classmate's draft, or for you to use in a conference. Score each row from 1 (needs work) to 4 (strong) and write one thing that worked.

What to look for	A strong draft	1 to 4
Answers the prompt	Every part of the question is addressed, and a reader could say what it was without seeing it.
Specific details	A moment, a name, a number or a sight only this student could write, not general statements.
Sounds like the student	Natural language, not a vocabulary list. A friend would recognize who wrote it.
Shape	A clear opening, a point that builds, and an ending that says what it meant.
Clean and on length	Spelling and grammar checked, and within the word limit.

One thing that worked: ____________________________________________

One thing I want to know more about: ____________________________

4. Common problems and how to fix them

It starts with “Since the dawn of time” or a dictionary definition.: Start in the middle of a moment instead: what happened, where you were, what you did.
It lists achievements.: The application already lists them. Pick one and tell the story behind it.
It could be about anyone.: Add one detail only this student would know, then another.
It answers a different prompt.: Reread the question and underline each thing it asks for. Check each one is in the essay.
It ends with a big claim about changing the world.: End with something small and true: what the student does differently now.
It is over the word limit.: Cut the opening background first. Most essays start two sentences too early.

5. Before you submit

I answered every part of the prompt.
It is within the word limit.
Someone else read it, and I made at least one change because of what they said.
I read it out loud once, to catch awkward sentences.
The name of the scholarship in the essay is the one I am applying to.
I saved a copy to reuse and adapt later.

Recommendation letters

1. When to ask

At least four weeks before the deadline. Ask in person or by a polite email. Teachers get many requests in the fall, and the earlier the better.
Two weeks before. Give the writer everything they need: the scholarship, the deadline, how to submit and a brag sheet.
One week before. A short friendly reminder, if the letter hasn't been submitted.
After it is sent. A thank-you note, and an update when the student hears about the result.

2. A request students can send

Subject: Recommendation letter request for [scholarship name]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last name],

I am applying for the [scholarship name], which [one sentence about what it is for], and the deadline is [date]. I enjoyed your [class or activity] and I think you know my work well. Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me?

I have attached a short summary of my activities and goals and the details for submitting the letter. If you would prefer more time or can't write one, I completely understand.

Thank you for considering it,
[Your name]

In a student's account, the Recommendations page can send a request like this and track whether each letter has been submitted.

3. Brag sheet for the person writing your letter

Name: ______________________________ Graduation year: ________

The scholarship I am applying for, what it is for and the deadline
How you know me (class, club, team, job) and for how long
Activities, leadership, jobs and service I am proudest of
A moment in your class or activity I would like you to remember
A challenge I have handled, if I am comfortable having you mention it
What I plan to study or do next, and why
How to submit the letter (link or address) and the date it is due

4. For the people writing letters

A short list you can hand to teachers and coaches before application season.

Say how you know the student and for how long. Context shows the reader why you can speak to this.
Use one or two specific stories instead of a list of adjectives. “She stayed after school every week to help younger students with algebra” beats “She is hardworking.”
Compare the student to peers when you honestly can, such as “one of the most curious students I have taught in ten years.”
Connect the student to what the scholarship values, such as service, leadership or a field of study.
Mention challenges the student has dealt with, if the student is comfortable with you sharing them.
Keep it to the length asked. A focused page is better than three padded ones.
Check the name, deadline and how to submit, and send it before the deadline.

5. After the letter

Students should thank each writer within a few days with a short note, and tell them how things turned out, win or lose. It keeps the relationship good for the next request, and writers like to know.