Writers are often told to “know their audience,” and this is true even when trying to win a scholarship.
A large part of applying for scholarships is writing out a persuasive essay to a scholarship committee. It can be a very stressful process and often takes students months to perfect the essay, so Jason Furman, an assistant teacher for the West Bend High Schools orchestra program, has some advice since he funds the Lab Rat Scholarship, which his wife started with his family. Furman also helps select the recipient.
“We are not interested in hearing about how college is the greatest years of your life,” Furman said. “We know that already. Tell us about how focused you are. What is your career path? What do you plan on doing after college? You don’t have to know all the answers, but you have to make it feel like you are focused.”
A sad sob story also isn’t Furman’s cup of tea. Instead, he wants a story about success despite obstacles. Mentioning the journey of overcoming setbacks throughout life is important. It paints a picture of a strong individual that persists even when things are looking down.
Volunteer hours are stressed by the West Bend School District as an important addition to any student’s resume. Furman, too, stresses the importance of mentioning community service in a scholarship essay.
“We love to hear about more than just yourself,” Furman said. “Outreach. Things that you did in your own time (and I don’t mean the required stuff like community service that was ordered by a court), but some tradition in your family and volunteering on your own time without being compensated or paid for these activities. If you are helping out at some church event, whatever it is, it counts.”
Mentioning a set plan is encouraged, but not required. Not everyone has their major perfectly planned out already, and Furman says that’s perfectly fine. It’s a big decision that can affect the future in irreversible ways.
(Photo of Jason Furman taken by Shiloh Peters, Current Staff.)
The West Bend Current 
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