The Student Writing and Reading Center is offering feedback to students on scholarship essays during Scholarship Days, which lasts from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1.
As of Oct. 1, SLCC offers over 124 privately-funded scholarships, many of which go unawarded because either not enough students apply, or the applications are incomplete or come with poor essays. Scholarship Days intends to spread awareness of the scholarship opportunities available to current students at Salt Lake Community College.
After completing the general scholarship application available through AwardSpring, students can check the dashboard for additional required information, errors and other scholarships that may be available.
Check, recheck, and apply for everything.
“I reviewed SLCC general scholarship applications for the first time this past spring semester and I was very surprised by the quality of essays I read,” says Laura Thomas from the SLCC Development Office.
Notable to Thomas were responses to the question, “Describe three qualities you possess and how they will help enhance your education and success in college.”
“I was reading responses like, ‘determination, hard-working, detail-oriented.’ Or, ‘One of my best traits is not giving up,’” Thomas says. “Each of these traits are fantastic, but they don’t answer the question completely and they don’t reach the minimum word count, which means the student is given a low score. As a scholarship reviewer, I don’t want to give low scores.”
Over the summer, staff with the SLCC Scholarships office approached the SWRC, asking what could be done to help students improve their written responses and claim more available scholarship money.
“The outcome of our discussion was to create an event that emphasizes awareness and improvement of written responses,” explains Clint Gardner, the program manager of the college’s writing and reading centers. “[SWRC] offers individualized one-on-one feedback to writers, and can help you write the most effective response to the scholarship questions.”
The SWRC staff is equipped with information about scholarships and special training to help students compose their best essays. For most effective feedback, students should come prepared with their pre-written responses. They may also come talk with a consultant if they want to brainstorm ideas for responses.
Appointments are not necessary, but are recommended as the SWRC can get very busy.
Thomas encourages students to stop by the SWRC during Scholarship Days.
“I want everyone to earn a scholarship and I want them to get as much help as possible so their essays are complete and competitive,” she says.
To make an appointment with the SWRC, visit the SWRC website or stop by any of their locations at Taylorsville Redwood, South City, Jordan or West Valley campuses.
