College Scholarship Essays

College Scholarship Essays: Brainstorming Ideas Family • What is your most valued childhood memory • Have you been responsible for caring for family members How has this affected your academics, goals and values • If different from your current place of residence, does your home country or place of birth have special meaning for you Do you visit it often • What do your parents/other family members do for a living How have they influenced or inspired you How has your family’s economic status affected your education and childhood • Have you suffered any serious hardships that affected your academic or professional performance • If you live in the U.S. but are not a native-born American: How did you deal with the challenges of moving to the U.S. from your home Activities • How did you spend the majority of your time over the past year • To what non-work (or non-academic) activity did you give the most time over the past year Or past several years • What has been your most significant service activity Your most memorable one-time volunteer opportunity Your longest regular volunteerism commitment • What has been your most significant cross-cultural experience Why • What has been your most significant international experience • Can you identify trends in your commitments What do they say about your values/abilities • Did you work during high school If so, where did you work How many hours per week What were your responsibilities and duties What did you learn Accomplishments • What achievement are you most proud of Why • What significant challenges have you overcome • Describe accomplishments for which you have not been formally recognized but are particularly proud..