Personal Essay Prompts

Below are the essay prompts for two scholarships. As part of this unit, you will need to write two personal essays in response to the first two prompts. Limit your essays to no more than 1,000 words for both essays. Neither response should be shorter than 250 words (minimum length). This assignment is due on ______, and must be word-processed (typed) in MLA format. You will be submitting these to so do not copy off of the internet or your peers. Make sure that your words are your own. The prompts follow:

Everyone must complete the following essay.

  1. Describe a particular circumstance, life experience, or other influence that has inspired you to pursue a college degree. Discuss how this has influenced your career goals.

In addition, choose one of the following two prompts:

  1. Think about a time when you faced a challenge. Tell your reader about that time, including how you dealt with the challenge, what its outcome was and most importantly what you learned about yourself/life after facing that challenge. Be sure to include specific details regarding what the challenge was and how you overcame it.
  2. Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school. Make sure to be specific and describe a particular time(s) when you have demonstrated leadership qualities and abilities.

Personal Essay Prompt 1 Brainstorm/Reflection:

Answer the following questions below. Try and answer them as completely as possible and give yourself at least a couple minutes to really consider what the question is asking.

  1. In which career would you like to you see yourself working in 5-10 years?
  2. Why does that interest you? Please do NOT say that your inspiration is a TV show.
  3. What are some specific experiences that helped you realize that goal? Be as specific as possible. Example: I would like to major in sociology and become a social worker because of my volunteer experience for the Orangewood Children’s Foundation. I volunteered there several times, but one day in particular was memorable. On that day, I ______.
  4. How will going to college help you achieve this goal?

Personal Essay Prompt 2 Brainstorm/Reflection:

Answer the following questions below. As with the brainstorm above, Try and answer them as completely as possible and give yourself at least a couple minutes to really consider what the question is asking.

Option 1

  1. What one word describes you best and captures your most important personal quality? Why is this the appropriate word to describe you? **For this particular question avoid cliché answers like “nice” ”loving” “caring” “shy” “responsible” “dedicated” because these words do not set you apart from others (it is safe to assume that almost every student would describe themselves using some of these words). Try to think of words that describe you wholly and completely and that make you unique.
  2. Brainstorm a few challenges that you have faced that show that you have this quality. How did you overcome each challenge?
  3. How are you a better person because of these challenges?
  4. Select the ONE challenge that you think best illustrates who you are.

Option 2

  1. What significant leadership roles have you been involved in during high school and outside of high school?
  2. Choose a specific event in which you demonstrated leadership to write about.
  3. How has this leadership helped the community?
  4. How has this experience changed you as a person?