
Writing an impressive scholarship essay is the secret to setting yourself apart from other competitive candidates. At UndocuScholars, we’ve reviewed thousands of essays, but not many of them impressed us from the first sentence. That’s why we decided to share some tips on how to start off a scholarship essay. Let’s get the ball rolling!
In This Article:
3 Things To Include In The Beginning Of A Scholarship Essay

A Hook Sentence
A good essay should start with a compelling hook sentence, and a scholarship essay is no exception. To grab the readers’ attention, consider beginning with a surprising fact, news, or story. For instance, “Over 1,000+ hours—that’s how much time I volunteered during the past 3 years.”
You can also share a personal experience, story, anecdotes, jokes, or metaphors to capture others’ attention. Personalizing your essay introduction helps build an emotional bridge between you and readers. For example, “I grew up with heart defects, but I never let it define me.”
Another way to begin your essay is to raise a question, especially when the answer is unexpected. This is a great way to intrigue readers’ curiosity, leaving them wondering about the answers. An example is, “Why did I, a Computer Science sophomore, decide to pursue Marketing from the beginning?”
An Overview
In this part, you should briefly explain what your essay is about. Be sure to include the important nouns and adjectives from the essay prompt to keep your writing on the right track.
We also recommend you go the extra mile by researching the background of the scholarship provider. Understanding their core value sets the stage for addressing the essay question correctly, increasing the chance of becoming a scholarship winner.
A Thesis Statement
Wrap up the introduction with a thesis statement that addresses the essay prompt and scholarship requirements directly. This sentence should be concise and to the point, piquing readers’ interest in reading the rest of your compelling scholarship essay.
Remember to write the introduction using your own voice, adding personal touches. This represents your identity to the readers. Also, use active voice and action verbs to provoke a sense of strength and create more impact.
4 Things To Avoid In The Introduction

Below are some points that you should steer clear of:
- Start with quotes: When working at UndocuScholars, we received many essays that began with a famous person’s statement. While starting with a quote can be effective, it can sometimes make your essay for scholarship less impactful. Instead, you should seek materials from your own stories and opinions.
- Use generic statements: You’ve likely seen countless essays begin with “I’m interested in this school/scholarship.” The committee members only value candidates who know how to make their personal statement stand out among hundreds of applications.
- Introduce yourself: Avoid dedicating the entire first paragraph to simply introducing yourself. All your information has been included in the scholarship applications. Be selective and tell stories that speak volumes for your personality and quality.
- Use jargon and technical words: Don’t stuff the introduction with big words to impress the judges. Using obscure or complex words sometimes comes across as insincere to the scholarship reviewers.
Scholarship Essay Introduction Example
Let’s say the essay prompt is: What are your academic and career goals? How will this scholarship money help you achieve them?
Here’s an introduction example:
Did you know that nearly 40% of students in the U.S. face financial barriers that hinder their academic dreams? As someone who has experienced the challenges of financing an education firsthand, I understand the importance of finding ways to make my aspirations a reality. In this essay, I will discuss my academic and career goals, focusing on how I plan to use my education to create a lasting impact in the field of marketing. I will also explain how receiving this scholarship would provide the essential support I need to overcome financial hurdles, ensuring that I can fully dedicate myself to my studies and future career.
Conclusion
An essay for scholarship should start with an attention-grabbing first sentence, an overview of what you will cover in the essay, and a thesis statement of how you address the prompt. While including your personal elements is recommended, keep in mind some things to avoid in the introduction!
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