Ok. So, I have to write a Personal Statement for a Scholarship Packet that I’m filling out. It says I have to write about my two most significant leadership experiences (National Honors Society officer, and Key Club). I don’t have a problem with that. Then, it says to write about my community service (Jefferson Barracks VA & Feed My People – Donation Center). Again, I don’t have a problem with that. However, the third part of my Statement is “Obstacles Overcome” … I have to write about TWO. I have a list, below, of some things I can possibly write about. Which two do you recommend?
1.Moving to Palestine and my life there (war…).
2.Returning to the United States and all the adjustments.
3.Having a Single Parent… (I never felt like I was missing a parent in my life – My mom has always been there but I learned a lot from it).
4.Knowing a Palestine Soldier (Family Friend) who died in from the Israeli’s.
I have to pick two. Which to would be better? Stronger effect? My better chances of winning (I doubt but I hope I win)… Please, ANSWER. Don’t just say “what ever had the most impact on you”…. Thanks!
Also, it has a page I have to fill out. And, it says “High School Principal or Counselor’s Name,” I’m just going to put one of their names. But it says Phone Number and Email Address – Where am I suppose to get that from? This is due Wednesday and I went to mail it on Monday … I’ll try to get it.. But, it says “TITLE” under where they’re asking for their names. What do they mean TITLE? Title of whether they’re my Principal or Counselor should I write that?
Answers & Comments
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1 and 3. All you have to do is look up the school in the phone book and get the address and phone number. Yes thats what they mean Principal or Counselor.
You might have a 5th option. Have heard some stories about how women in Palestine have less "rights" than what is accepted in the US. You could write about observing how this impacted your Mom, your family life, etc. and your feeling towards this attitude.
You also might contrast living in Palestine with living in the US. Something like "teens in the US had an a big adjustment as they enter adulthood. But compared to teens in Palestine..."
As for Principal and Counselor - they are giving you 2 options in case you cannot get in touch with one of them.
Be sure to do a spell and grammar check on your essays. Do not use "passive sentences". And try to get the reading level at 9th grade.
1&2 seems like they can be worked into 1 essay. I suggest you do 1&2 and then 4. Unfortunately there are plenty of people that have experienced a single parent so it's not very unique.
Yes title would indicate either principal or counselor. Put your schools main phone number and e-mail address if available.
Pick whichever you can make seem like a greater challenge for you. The purpose of these letters is to make you stand out against everyone else. The more difficult you can make your life seem, the better your odds. I have to be honest there, but its kinda bad to think like that, but true.
I suggest picking something emotional, if you can twist the stomachs of the selection committee members, your odds skyrocket!
Make sure you explain HOW YOU OVERCAME these problems and WHAT YOU LEARNED from them. These are the most important points to make in the story, of course, after making the reader feel for you and your obstacles.
Make sure your other answers also include the same things, what you learned and what the experiences meant to you and the future. Basically, how those experiences will effect you the rest of your life. That is what they are looking for, not just I did ___________ and _____________ and it was cool and rewarding. Hope that helps!