The prospect of writing an essay just to have a chance at a scholarship may not exactly appeal to you, especially if you are applying to college from high school, and you have to write essays for your classes as well as for your college applications. Even though you may not want to do it, it doesn't have to be a painful process, and it may even be fun if you're interested in the subject matter. Keep in mind there are perks that may come with winning the scholarship aside from the money. You may be able to have your work published.

Before writing your scholarship essay, consider the following ten tips:

Do not write an essay that is half quotes.
The Essay Contest on Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead requires students to select from a list of topics and respond in reference to the novel. This is a great example of an essay that has the potential to teeter dangerously on the too-many-quotes or quotes-that-are-too-long threshold. The judges of this scholarship competition want to know your ideas and interpretations of the material. They've already read the book. Keep quotes as short as possible, or paraphrase the main points.

Do not start your essay with a definition from the Oxford English Dictionary.
Enough said.

Do your research.
The Student Essay Contest scholarship, provided by the Fraser Institute, asks candidates to ponder the best approach to eliminating world poverty. The institute is probably going to receive a bunch of essays suggesting that we simply print more money or create more jobs. Don't let yourself submit that an essay that is not well-researched. Research the subject of poverty and learn what some scientists, theorists, politicians, or great thinkers have suggested. Use the research as a foundation, and without regurgitating the ideas of others, provide your own thoughts on the matter.

Discuss essay questions with as many people as possible.
The Great Canadian Questions Essay Competition asks students to write an essay in one of the following areas: founding concepts, the revolution of Canadian identity, unity, Canada and the world, heroes and symbols, and the importance of history. There are great Canadians all around you with ideas on these subjects. If you get stuck, ask your friends and family what they think about the topics. Chances are, something you discuss will spark an idea or inspire you with something you can expand on further.

Do not print your essay on coloured, scented paper just to make it stand out.
Your words are what should make your essay stand out, and any obvious attempt to get the attention of the judges is just going to tell them you don't think your words alone are good enough. Ask yourself if your essay is something someone else would want to quote.

Okay, so you don't like science.
The Science Essay Awards Competition asks students to submit an essay discussing a scientific or technical development, event or theory. Even if science was your worst subject all through high school, there should be something about it that inspires you. Maybe it's not physics equations, but that doesn't mean you can't talk about the discovery of a new planet, or a new treatment for a disease.

Never underestimate the importance of an outline.
The Queen's Purpose of Life Essay Competition (QPLEC) asks candidates to discuss the purpose of one's life. Is there a purpose at all? This sounds like the kind of thing I sat around discussing with friends in a college dorm room until all hours of the night, and the kind of thing you could go on for pages and pages discussing. You need to make sure you know what point or points you want to make before you even begin. Prepare your thoughts on paper with a clear thesis sentence. Plan how you will transition to the concluding paragraph.

When in doubt, double space.
If they say double space, double space. If they say they want references, give references. I know it sounds like common sense, but judges will have to disqualify some of the best essays simply because the basic instructions were not adhered to.

Conversely, if they don't ask, don't include a résumé, a curriculum vitae, transcript of marks, blood test and fingerprints just in case they're interested. They're not. The judges already have enough paperwork, and any more will simply annoy them.

Consider your audience - they might have even written essays themselves at one time.
The Dr. Florence Snodgrass Essay Prize scholarship selects papers based on both content (scientific merit and originality) and written expression. Consider the importance of scientific merit and originality in the context of the audience. Is the judge a professor? A professor may have read so many papers quoting scientific journals that to read one in which a student went out and did his or her own experiment might really get their attention. In other words, find some way to appeal to the person you are writing for.

Have fun doing it.
Even though it may seem like a pain to have to write an essay for a scholarship, if it's done right, it can make you look better than a simple résumé or transcript. This is your chance to prove you are the best candidate for the prize. If you're interested and really care about what you write, your enthusiasm will show in your words.