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How to Reuse Scholarship Essays (the RIGHT Way)

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reuse scholarship essays

Updated on January 10th, 2024

Many students feel that the most challenging part of the scholarship process is writing the essays. Even if they know  how to write an essay for a scholarship , the time, effort, and energy required to create new pieces for every opportunity are often cumbersome. This makes reusing scholarship essays an attractive option. However, figuring out how to reuse scholarship essays isn’t always easy.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

If your student is looking for fresh scholarship opportunities, there are plenty of options available; you just need to know where to look. If you and your student want to learn about finding scholarships,  sign up for our free college scholarship webinar ! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.

If your student wants to reuse their own scholarship applications and essays, they need to know when it’s appropriate and how to do it correctly. Here’s a look at whether recycling scholarship essays is wise and how to reuse scholarship essays the right way.

  • 1 Can You Reuse Scholarship Essays?
  • 2 Should You Reuse Scholarship Essays?
  • 3.1 1. Read the General Requirements
  • 3.2 2. Review the Prompt
  • 3.3 3. Explore the Organization’s Mission and Values
  • 3.4 4. Make the Necessary Adjustments
  • 3.5 5. Review the Essay Before Submitting
  • 3.6 6. Save and Submit the Essay

Can You Reuse Scholarship Essays?

Yes, students can technically reuse scholarship essays when they’re applying for multiple scholarships or awards. In the vast majority of cases, there aren’t any rules barring the practice. As long as your student was the original creator of the essay, they can usually submit it to as many scholarship committees as they want, suggesting that there aren’t any rules stating otherwise.

However, that doesn’t mean they should simply upload the existing document or copy and paste the current version of the essay into a new scholarship application. Every scholarship has distinct essay requirements. Along with unique prompts, the committee may outline different parameters regarding the word count. If those rules aren’t followed, your student might end up disqualified because their essay didn’t align with the requirements.

Additionally, the original tone or focus of the essay may not fit with the new audience. Every committee will have its own priorities and preferences. If the essay doesn’t speak to their needs, the odds that it will resonate with the committee when it’s reviewed drops significantly.

If you want to reuse scholarship essays, you need to do it correctly. Here’s a look at when and how to recycle scholarship essays the right way.

Should You Reuse Scholarship Essays?

While students can recycle scholarship essays, that doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. As mentioned above, each committee may outline unique requirements and might have different expectations. Ultimately, every committee is a distinct audience, so what resonates with one may not meet the needs of another.

In most cases, students who want to reuse scholarship essays need to adjust the written content before submitting the piece to a different committee. While the core message may remain intact – suggesting it aligns with the prompt – altering the tone, adjusting the word count, and taking other steps might be necessary.

At times, the required changes could make writing a new essay more efficient. As a result, it’s best for students to factor in the work involved before making a choice.

However, if the existing essay is an exceptional fit for a new scholarship, reusing it does come with some benefits. Mainly, it saves your student time and energy, making it easier to apply for more scholarships in a shorter timeframe. Additionally, it could reduce the stress associated with scholarship searches, allowing your student to maintain a better mindset.

In the end, your student needs to honestly assess whether the existing essay actually works for the other scholarship. That way, they can make a smart choice.

can you reuse scholarship essays

How to Reuse Scholarship Essays the Right Way

Generally speaking, reusing a scholarship essay the right way means altering the content before submitting it for a different award. In most cases, sending the piece in as-is means, the material won’t perfectly align with what the committee wants to see. As a result, that approach, while a time saver, can mean missing out on opportunities.

If your student wants to reuse scholarship essays, they need to use a solid strategy. Here is a step-by-step process they can use to determine if recycling an essay is an option and how to adjust the content to make it an excellent fit for a common application.

1. Read the General Requirements

Before your student tries to reuse a scholarship essay, the first thing they need to do is review the essay requirements. Along with the word count, they need to determine anything else relevant the piece needs to cover or contain. Additionally, they’ll want to see if there are any restrictions regarding recycled essays, as some committees may explicitly request fresh content.

2. Review the Prompt

While it isn’t the only example of  what not to write in a scholarship essay , being off-topic is a major misstep. If your student is thinking about recycling a scholarship essay, they need to write it to make sure that the existing content matches what the committee wants to know.

Even if a prompt is similar, that doesn’t mean that the current essay is a perfect fit. There is a slew of variations of  common scholarship questions , creating a level of nuance. For example, one committee may ask students to discuss their biggest influence, while others may ask about heroes. While the difference between essay prompts can be subtle, it’s nonetheless there.

If an existing essay is a solid match for the new prompt, then it’s a contender for reuse. However, if it’s off by any degree, it’s usually better to start fresh.

how to write an essay for scholarship

3. Explore the Organization’s Mission and Values

Every organization has its own mission and values. Often, these define the scholarship committee’s priorities and values, giving students clues about the audience they need to target when writing their essays.

Before recycling an essay, students need to see if the mission and values of the current and previous committees are generally similar. If they’re a strong match, then the essay’s tone may be appropriate to reuse. If not, then the style of the existing piece may not match the expectations or preferences of the new committee. In that situation, writing a new essay is often the best option.

4. Make the Necessary Adjustments

After completing the steps above, students should know if any existing essay is a strong fit for the new application. If so, they can adjust its content to ensure it meets any requirements that differ from the previous one. For example, they can cut back or expand to address a different word count or adjust their word choice to align with a new tone.

Essentially, your student needs to rework the essay to ensure it’s an exceptional fit for the new scholarship they’re trying to land. That way, they save time while also increasing their odds of securing the award.

tips for writing scholarship essays

5. Review the Essay Before Submitting

Once the adjustments are made, your student needs to review their work for errors and flow. Correcting grammar and spelling mistakes is essential. Additionally, checking for smooth transitions between points is a must, especially if your student had to make notable changes to the material.

If possible, your student should ask a trusted guidance counselor, teacher, friend, or family member to give the new essay a once-over. That way, there’s a second set of eyes looking for mistakes and making recommendations, increasing the reader’s attention and odds that the final version will be competitive.

If that isn’t possible, putting the essay into a text-to-speech program and listening to the audio can help. Sometimes, it’s easier to hear a mistake than see it when reviewing a document, making this an easy way to catch overlooked errors.

6. Save and Submit the Essay

After completing the steps above, your student can save the updated essay as a new document and submit it to the committee. That way, they can keep copies of all of their work as they pursue awards, giving them a larger collection of existing content to draw upon over time.

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  • How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

Published on October 11, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

A good scholarship essay demonstrates the scholarship organization’s values while directly addressing the prompt. If you plan ahead , you can save time by writing one essay for multiple prompts with similar questions.

Table of contents

Apply for a wide variety of scholarships, make a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, tailor your essay to the organization and the prompt, write a focused and relevant personal story, scholarship essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Scholarships are a type of student financial aid that don’t require repayment. They are awarded based on various factors, including academic merit, financial need, intended major, personal background, or activities and interests.

Like college applications, scholarship applications often require students to submit their grades, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and an essay.

A scholarship essay shares your values and qualities in the context of a specific question, such as “How does technology affect your daily life?” or “Who has had the greatest impact on your life?”

Be wary of scholarship scams

While some applications may not require an essay, be wary of scholarship scams that do the following:

  • Guarantee you scholarship money for a fee
  • Claim scholarship information is exclusive to their company
  • Ask for your bank or credit card information to hold the scholarship

Some legitimate companies do charge for releasing comprehensive scholarship lists or creating a tailored list of scholarship opportunities based on your profile.

However, you can always discover scholarship opportunities for free through your school counselor, community network, or an online search.

Many students focus on well-known, large scholarship opportunities, which are usually very competitive. To maximize your chance of success, invest time in applying for a wide variety of scholarships: national and local, as well as big and small award amounts. There are also scholarships for international students .

In addition to charitable foundation and corporate scholarships, you should consider applying for institutional scholarships at your prospective universities, which can award money based on your application’s strength, your financial situation, and your demonstrated interest in the school.

Check with your guidance counselor, local organizations, community network, or prospective schools’ financial aid offices for scholarship opportunities. It’s a good idea to start applying as early as your junior year and continue throughout your senior year.

Choose the right scholarships for you

Choose scholarships with missions and essay topics that match your background, experiences, and interests. If the scholarship topic is meaningful to you, it will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay.

Don’t shy away from applying for local scholarships with small dollar amounts. Even a few hundred dollars can help you pay for books.

Local scholarships may be more tailored to your community, background, and activities, so they’re likely more relevant to you. Fewer students apply for these scholarships, so you have less competition and a higher chance of success.

Some places to look for local scholarships include

  • Civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc.
  • Your church, mosque, synagogue, or place of worship
  • Community groups, such as the YMCA
  • Ethnicity-based organizations
  • Your local library or local small businesses
  • Organizations related to your intended major
  • Your city or town
  • Your school district
  • Unions, such as SEIU, the Teamsters, CWA, etc.
  • Your employer or your parents’ employers
  • Banks, credit unions, and local financial institutions

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

While researching scholarship opportunities, create a scholarship tracker spreadsheet to keep track of the following:

  • Scholarship amounts
  • Required application materials

You can use our free Google Sheets template to track your scholarship applications.

Scholarship application tracker template

You can also include scholarship essay prompts in your college essay tracker sheet . By grouping or color-code overlapping essay prompts, you can plan to write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can also reuse or adapt your main college essay .

Even if you’re adapting another essay, it’s important to make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, stays within the word count limit , and demonstrates the organization’s values. The scholarship committee will be able to tell if you reuse an essay that doesn’t quite respond to the prompt, so be sure to tailor it to the questions asked.

Research each organization

Before writing, research the scholarship organization’s mission and reason for awarding the scholarship. Learning more about the organization can help you select an appropriate topic and relevant story.

While you should tailor your essay to the organization’s values, maintain your authentic voice. Never use false or exaggerated stories. If the organization’s values don’t align with yours or you can’t brainstorm a relevant story for the scholarship, continue searching for other scholarship opportunities to find a more appropriate one for you.

After researching the organization, identify a specific personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies why you will be a successful student.

Choose a story with the following criteria:

  • Responds to the prompt
  • Demonstrates the organization’s values
  • Includes an authentic story
  • Focuses on you and your experience, not someone else’s

A good scholarship essay is not

  • A resume of your achievements
  • A lengthy opinion piece about the essay topic
  • An essay featuring a negative tone that puts down others

If appropriate, you can briefly address how the scholarship money will help you achieve your educational goals. You should also end with a brief thank-you.

Take a look at the full essay example below. Hover over the underlined parts to read explanations of why they work.

Prompt: Describe how working for Chelsea’s Chicken restaurant has developed leadership skills that will help you succeed in college. Give specific examples of leadership characteristics that you have exhibited during your employment with us.

As a nervous 16-year-old, I walked into Chelsea’s Chicken for my first day of work determined to make enough money to put gas in my car and buy pizza on the weekends. My only previous job was mowing my neighbors’ lawns when they were on vacation, so I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit intimidated by my new responsibilities, especially handling money and helping disgruntled customers.

However, it didn’t take me long to learn my way around the cash register and successfully address customer complaints. One day, Roger, the store manager, asked me if I wanted to join Chelsea’s Chicken Leadership Training Initiative. He said he saw leadership potential in me because of my attitude with the customers and my enthusiasm for learning new job responsibilities. It surprised me because I had never thought of myself as a leader, but I quickly agreed, and Roger handed me a three-ring binder that was thicker than my math and science textbooks put together! He told me to take it home and read over it during the following week.

In that binder, I discovered that being a leader means taking the initiative, especially when the job is undesirable. One week later, I got to practice that idea when a little kid threw up in the bathroom and missed the toilet. It smelled terrible, but I stepped forward and told Roger that I would clean it up. My coworkers thought I was crazy, but I started to believe in my leadership potential.

That night as we closed the store, Roger pulled me aside in the parking lot and told me that he could tell that I had been studying the manual. He wanted to give me more responsibility, along with a dollar-per-hour pay raise. I was surprised because I had been working there for only a couple of months, but his encouragement helped me make a connection: good leadership helps other people, and it often is rewarded. I was determined to experience more of both.

Within a month, I was ready to take the Team Leader exam, which mattered because I would receive a promotion and a much bigger raise if I passed. But, when I got to work, two of the scheduled team members had called in sick. We were noticeably short-handed, and our customers weren’t happy about it.

I walked back to the lockers, put on my vest and hat, and took my place behind an open register. Customers immediately moved into my line to place their orders. Roger looked at me with surprise and asked, “Did you forget that you’re testing tonight?” I responded, “No, sir—but what’s the use of taking a leadership test if you aren’t going to lead in real life?” Roger smiled at me and nodded.

He stayed late that night after we closed so that I could leave early and still take the test. I noticed that Roger was always staying late, helping employees learn new skills. His example taught me that leaders take the initiative to develop other leaders. He gave me a clear picture of what shared leadership looks like, making room for others to grow and excel. When I asked him where he learned to do that, he said, “From the same leadership manual I gave you!”

Chelsea’s Chicken has offered me so much more than a paycheck. Because of Roger’s example, I have learned to take the initiative to care for my family and friends, such as being the first to do the dishes without my mom asking or volunteering to pick up my friend for our SAT prep course. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I have confidence in my leadership ability. I know I’m signing up for a challenging major—Biology, Pre-Med—yet I also know that Chelsea’s Chicken has helped me to develop the perseverance required to complete my studies successfully.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

  • Writing process
  • Transition words
  • Passive voice
  • Paraphrasing

 Communication

  • How to end an email
  • Ms, mrs, miss
  • How to start an email
  • I hope this email finds you well
  • Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

  • Personal pronouns
  • Conjunctions

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/scholarship-essay/

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Blog

Reuse or Recycle: How to Manage College Essay Material

The key to the college admission process is being as efficient as possible. Here's how to be smart about organizing and reusing essay materials for multiple schools.

by José Iván Román College Admission Consultant, Solomon Admissions

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2023

Originally Posted: Jun 22, 2021

The college application process can be an overwhelming experience: you have to draft numerous versions of your personal statements and supplemental essays, refine the content of your activities list, and research various schools while also working on rigorous class assignments, tests, and final projects. And don’t forget the demands of your extracurricular activities and other commitments with family and friends. As Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines draw near, you’ll likely feel exhausted and stressed. 

Navigating the admission process is like managing a major project—there are many moving parts that require a great deal of attention. The Common Application exists in part because universities recognize the value of streamlining this process. Effective project management could be a stress reliever for any applicant, and you can start by streamlining your college essays. You may have several more applications to prepare, but you can be confident in your ability to pull through the remainder of the application process by reusing certain essay material efficiently. Here’s how! 

Adapting essay material

It makes sense for your Common App personal statement to remain the same for every school receiving a copy of your application. Customizing a personal statement for each school would defeat the practical purpose of the Common App. On the other hand, would it be beneficial or advisable to recycle your supplemental essays? You should develop your own system for structuring each essay that grants you the flexibility of customizing for each school receiving your application. There are two major categories of essay material:

  • Biographical
  • School s pecific

Biographical material offers experiences and reflections that are unique to an applicant ’ s character, while school-specific material addresses unique characteristics of a college that connect with the applicant ’ s values and interests. You may notice your early application essays already have quality blocks of biographical content that you can fluidly adapt for future essays. 

Carefully review each essay prompt for any school you’re applying to and determine if any essays require school-specific content. It could be that the same essay can be adapted to address the questions or prompts for various schools; however, you can improve the quality and impact of each essay by incorporating material that’s unique to each school. Streamline this process by creating a structure for your essays that allows you to predictably manage your school-specific content. For example, connect with each school ’ s unique traditions, programs, campus culture, surrounding neighborhoods, etc. You could potentially save precious time and mental energy by applying a consistent structure to your essays. 

Related: Video: College Essay Q&A With Expert Kim Lifton

Proofread your work

Application reviewers are experienced and pick up on many nuances. It’s imperative to do your research on each school. Be sure to reference the appropriate school ’ s programs, institutes, offerings, traditions, etc.If you wish to use similar essays for multiple schools, be sure to proofread them carefully prior to final submission . It’s in your best interest to not accidentally include the name of the wrong school in any of your essays. This advice might seem intuitive, but it’s easy to overlook these small details when you’re rushing to meet application deadlines. Although it’s not necessarily a disqualifying error, including the name of the wrong school in an essay certainly doesn’t give a good impression or make the admission process easier for you. Admission committees understand that we’re all human and are likely to make mistakes; nevertheless, they appreciate the courtesy and respect of applicants who follow instructions and proofread their work carefully.

Trust your approach

The college admission process can challenge a student ’ s stamina and spirit. Many hopeful students pour their souls into their applications, particularly the essays. As with many long-term projects, the earlier you tackle the most demanding tasks, the more manageable the process will become later in the timeline. One way to set yourself up for success is by indexing your essay material in a way that allows you to search and identify content in an efficient manner. This approach to managing essay material doesn’t suggest reusing or recycling entire essays verbatim. Stay true to your authenticity while remaining practical. 

Related: College Application Essays: Our Best Advice

Colleges and universities expect the most competitive candidates to be exceptional in their ability to manage time, prioritize commitments, and leverage resources. The college application process is a major test of a candidate's management skills. By remaining earnest and organized, you can be confident in your approach to the process. 

Check out the articles in our College Admission section for more expert advice on college essays.

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About José Iván Román

Jos é Iván Román is a College Admission Consultant at  Solomon Admissions . He previously served as an academic advisor at Northeastern University for six years, where he advised students in the University Honors Program, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Engineering. As Assistant Director of the Northeastern University Honors Program, Jos é Iván contributed to developing and overseeing programs for high-achieving students, including research opportunities, co-op and extracurricular programming, and scholarships.

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Can You Use the Same Essay for Different College Applications?

What’s covered:, can you reuse your common app or coalition application essay yes, can you reuse your supplemental essays maybe, the bottom line on reusing essays, where to get feedback on your college essays.

It’s no secret that the college process is grueling. It requires that you put an extensive amount of work into every aspect of every application. It’s natural to want to find ways to save time and energy. This is an especially tempting prospect when it comes to your college essays. Consequently, many high schoolers wonder if they can reuse their essays for different colleges.

The short answer is “It depends.” The long answer is a bit more complex. Below are some of the different scenarios for reusing college essays and best practices for each.

It’s perfectly okay to use the same essay for both the Common App and Coalition Application. In fact, you can use the same essay for any application that requires a lengthy personal statement—like ApplyTexas—since the prompts are broad.

Given the number of colleges that now accept the Common App and Coalition Application, this will greatly expedite your application process and lessen the burden of the essay-writing process.

There are some instances in which you can reuse supplemental essays for different schools, but you must do so carefully.

For example, you should not reuse a college-specific essay for things like the “Why This College?” prompt or related prompts. You also can’t reuse essays that you wrote in response to prompts about specific programs or majors . However, in both instances, it’s often possible to reuse parts of the essay, such as when you’re describing why you have a specific personal interest.

For example, take a look at this prompt from NYU :

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand—Why NYU? (400 words)

Because this prompt is very specific to NYU and your interest in the school, you definitely can’t repurpose the essay for another application. However, you might be able to take aspects of the essay and reuse them, such as talking about specific contributions you hope to make to the community—after all, you probably want to make similar ones at other schools.

You’ll want to make sure you’re always framing these contributions as school-specifically as possible—mentioning particular clubs or opportunities at NYU. For example, if you’re interested in attending NYU’s Institute of Performing Arts, you may express an interest in joining their Hammerkatz sketch comedy group. If you were to reuse this section of the essay, you’d want to find the equivalent at the school you’re repurposing the essay for.

Keep in mind that if you can simply change the school name in a college-specific essay and it still works if you apply it to another school’s prompt, then your response isn’t specific enough. You will need to name opportunities specific to each school, and if you decide to repurpose parts of your essays, remember to change the corresponding details.

Another essay prompt you’ll likely encounter is the “Why This Major?” question, which asks why you’re choosing to pursue a particular discipline. Whether or not it’s included in the prompt, you do need to address why you’d like to study that program at that school. That means your essay, at least in part, needs to be specific to the school and can’t be reused for another.

Consider this prompt for Yale University :

Students at Yale have plenty of time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.

Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)

Here, you’re being asked not only why you want to explore your intellectual and academic interests, but you’re also asked to tailor your answer specifically to Yale’s programming. This means you might be able to reuse some parts of the essay for another school, but some areas may be more challenging to repurpose or impossible to reuse altogether. For example, Yale’s Computer Science and Psychology program is relatively unique to the school.

On the other hand, some programs are essentially universal—like business, engineering, and communications, for example—and you may be able to reuse large portions of your essay. Just make sure to remove any mention of other colleges and their attributes and tweak your responses to be as specific as possible to the school you’re applying to.

One example of an essay you can reuse is one written in response to a prompt along the lines of “Describe one of your extracurriculars” , like this one from Harvard :

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (200 words)

Since this prompt asks you about your pursuits that aren’t tied to your interest in Harvard, it’s probably fine to reuse the essay if another college has a similar prompt. Just make sure you’re fully responding to the particular prompt, as even with these common prompts, sometimes schools like to add their own unique flair.

You should also pay attention to the word count, as you may have to expand or cut your essay when adapting it to another school’s prompt. If the second school has a very similar prompt but requires 250 words instead of 150, you should add more detail, as you don’t want to let 100 words go to waste—that’s almost half the word count!

An essay that’s too short will make it look like you don’t care about the school in question. Conversely, an essay that’s too long will get cut off in most application platforms, or it will make it look like you can’t follow instructions.

Time is precious in the college process, and you can certainly save yourself some by reusing your essays if you come across a similar prompt more than once. However, you should be careful not to do so at the expense of the essay’s specificity and quality.

Remember, your essay package at each school should present a comprehensive picture of who you are, without overlap from one essay to the next.

So, if you’re reusing an “Extracurricular” essay about golf, for example, and the school also has a question about your leadership skills, you don’t want to also write about what you’ve learned from being captain of your golf team. On the other hand, if you have another school on your list with a leadership prompt and no “Extracurricular” essay, you could definitely write about your golf captainship.

Ultimately, what matters most is that schools don’t feel like you’re two-timing them. So, make sure that each essay you write feels like its own singular piece of writing, and, if a school has multiple supplements, that each essay enhances, rather than repeats, the others.

Maybe you’re recycling an essay and wondering if you’ve done enough to reflect the new prompt, or you’ve written a brand new one and can’t decide whether it’s working. Situations like these inspired us to create our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

can you reuse essays for scholarships

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Using the same essay for different college scholarships

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Is it possible to use the same essay for different college scholarship applications?

Yes! With a bit of careful editing, you absolutely can use the same essay to apply for different college scholarships!

You may not be able to submit the exact same essay over and over again for every scholarship you apply to. However, editing and reusing essays will save you time when you apply for scholarships.

On top of writing your college admissions essays and supplemental essays, plus completing your college applications, you have to write essays for merit aid. Even some scholarships that are based on financial need may require extra essays.

With the cost of higher education today, there’s no doubt that students need to put in the time and their best effort to earn the most money possible towards their college education!

However, if you write new essays for every scholarship you apply for, at all the colleges you apply to, it’s an overwhelming number of essays!

But what if there was a way to make the scholarship essay writing process a little easier and less time-consuming?

Well, that’s where the idea of using the same essay for multiple scholarship applications comes into play!

While each college scholarship you apply for may have its own unique set of requirements, prompts, and expectations, you can create a well-crafted essay that can be tailored to fit multiple scholarship applications.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

If you’re wondering: 

Can I use the same essay for different scholarship applications? 

Do I have to write a different essay for each scholarship application? 

Will scholarship committees know if I use the same essay?

This article will answer some frequently asked questions about using the same essay to apply for different scholarships. 

Can you use the same essay for different college scholarships?

Unless a scholarship application specifically states that you must submit a unique essay, you are not required to write a different essay for each college scholarship application.

While you are allowed to use the same essays for scholarship applications, you might not actually be able to use the same essays for different scholarships.

The prompt for each scholarship essay might be so specific that you can’t reuse your essays. Colleges try very hard to create unique essay questions!

Even if the scholarship prompt is pretty general, you’ll want to be sure your essay shows your passion for the values and goals of the organization. 

If you are writing an essay to apply for a scholarship at a university, you’ll want your essay to reflect your commitment to the values championed by the scholarship, as well as your passion for the university.

So if you can’t just resubmit scholarship essays for different scholarships, what can you do? One way to make the most of the essays you’ve written for scholarships is to reuse parts of them. 

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Who are you writing scholarship Essays for?

First, let’s clarify who you are writing scholarships essays for.

As you conduct your scholarship search, keep in mind that every scholarship provider is looking for scholarship recipients who match their selection criteria.

You’ll be writing scholarship essays for two types of scholarship providers:

External scholarships

External scholarships are scholarships from businesses, organizations, or independent scholarship organizations.

Your essay should focus on the goals and mission of the organization offering the scholarship. Be sure your essay responds to the prompt and relates to the reason for the scholarship.

Internal scholarships

Internal scholarships are offered by the colleges you’re applying to. These may also be considered competitive merit aid or merit scholarships .

Your essay should focus on the values of the university and the specific scholarship program, if known.

Your essay should demonstrate that you are just the type of student that college is looking for, you would represent the college well, and you are worthy of this scholarship.

How average students can get merit scholarships !

Is it a good idea to reuse scholarship essays?

You may be able to use the same scholarship essays (or variations of them) for different scholarships. College is expensive, so you’ll probably be applying for lots of scholarships.

If you can win scholarships, you’ll basically get free money towards the cost of college. So it’s work the extra effort to apply for scholarship money.

It makes sense to edit and reuse your scholarship essays whenever possible. This will save time and effort.

When should you not reuse a scholarship essay?

You should write different essays for each scholarship application at the same college.

Similarly, you should write unique essays if you are applying for multiple scholarships offered by the same company, organization, or external scholarship fund.

Simply put, do not reuse a scholarship essay for multiple scholarship applications from the same scholarship provider. Take the time to to write a new essay for each different scholarship you apply for from the same university or business.

It’s also a bad idea to try to reuse an essay when it just doesn’t fit the new essay prompt. You’re better off just starting fresh on a new essay, rather than trying to force an old essay to work for a new scholarship prompt.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

What’s The Best Way To Recycle Essays For College Scholarships?

Many colleges and scholarship organizations request scholarship essays on a rather specific topics.

Scholarship committees try to ask creative questions for their essay prompts, so you will have to write a new essay. Sometimes the questions are so unusual that you’re unlikely to see the same question for different scholarships.

So, you might find it difficult to reuse the full essays. (But if you did have the opportunity to reuse them, you could.)

However, there are lots of times when you can reuse a scholarship essay. 

You can make the most of the essays you’ve written for scholarships by reusing parts of them. 

How To reuse scholarship Essays–the smart way

In order to keep track of all your extra essays, I recommend that you save every version of every essay you submit. Here are all the steps to take to reuse essays at different colleges: 

1. Read The Essay Guidelines Closely

Note what the essay requirements are and what the word count should be. Be sure you answer the question. Use all the words allowed, but don’t go over the limit. 

Make sure you’re eligible for the scholarship.

  • Is the scholarship for high school seniors who will be entering the college as first-time freshmen?
  • Can transfer students apply for the scholarship?
  • Is the scholarship for college students already enrolled at that institution?
  • Will international students be considered for the scholarship?

2. Start By Writing The Essay In A Word File Or Google Doc 

Do not write the essay directly into the essay submission box !

  • Writing in Word or a Google doc will make it easier to edit the essay. 
  • Countless students have written essays into submission forms and saved their work, only to find out that the website or system glitched and their hard work is gone!
  • To reuse your scholarship essay, you need to save it where you’ll be able to access it easily.

3. Review The Prompt And Make Sure You Stayed On Topic

Always write an essay that answers the question posed by the prompt.

It’s especially important to check that you answered a specific question when you’re trying to repurpose an essay written for a different scholarship.

4. Make Sure The Essay Is College Specific 

If possible, reference the school’s values, organizations, and unique programs. Personalize the essay by mentioning the college’s name. 

Always try to connect your essay response to the specific college you’re applying to. Colleges are looking for students who want to fully participate in that school’s social and academic culture. 

A scholarship essay is a a great opportunity to mention your career goals, volunteer work that’s important to you, and any additional information you want the scholarship committee to know about you.

5. Edit, Revise, And Proofread 

The importance of editing cannot be overstated. Avoid grammatical errors, incomplete thoughts, or typos. 

If you reuse an essay, be very careful to remove any reference to another college or scholarship! Pay very close attention to any details that would reveal you originally wrote the essay for another school!

Show each final draft of a scholarship application essay to your English teacher, a family member, or your best friend to read. They might catch any errors that you missed.

6. Save The Essay 

Use the name of the college and a word that will help you remember what the essay is about. 

By keeping a copy of all your scholarship essays (and other college essays), you’ll be able to craft new essays more quickly and efficiently. 

can you reuse essays for scholarships

7. Copy And Paste 

After you’re done revising, and you’re ready to submit the essay, copy and paste the essay into the application’s essay response box. 

Never copy and past scholarship essays before carefully evaluating the text to be sure you’re copying the right essay! 

Make sure the formatting is okay and all the text is there before clicking submit. 

8. Refer Back 

When you have to write another supplemental essay with a similar prompt, look through your files to find previously written essays that could be relevant. 

Also remember to look at old creative writing assignments to see if you could adapt them for a scholarship essay subject.

9. See What You Can Reuse

Review the new prompt, guidelines, and word count. See if you can edit and reuse an old essay. 

10. Either Edit And Reuse The Old Essay As A Whole, Or…

11. pull paragraphs or ideas from the old essay to help you craft a new essay .

Sometimes, to write on an essay topic, you may be able to expand upon an idea that was part of an earlier essay.

12. Start Over With Step One For The New Essay 

Always be sure each new scholarship essay answers the prompt!

And even though you are so done with writing essays, always do your best work and be sure to edit each essay.

Advantages of reusing scholarship essays

If you end up having to write more scholarship essays for any one college, you’ll quickly be able to find your original essay. Then, you can be sure to write about something different in any later essays you submit for scholarships.

By the time you complete the college application process, you are likely to have many files with variations of the same themes. By carefully editing essays before reusing them, each essay will be tailored to each specific scholarship to you apply for.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

will scholarship Committees Know If You Use The Same Essay?

College scholarship committees don’t have any way to know if you submit the same essay for different scholarships. 

Here are three tips for submitting the same or repurposed essays for different scholarships.

1. Don’t plagiarize

Only submit essays that you wrote. Scholarship committee members read a lot of essays. They will have a pretty good idea of what your voice sounds like compared to a slick internet-famous essay that you’ve copied.

Submitting a plagiarized essay will get you disqualified from that scholarship competition. And it might even cause your offer of admission to be revoked. Just write your own essay.

2. Answer the question

Each scholarship you apply for will have a different essay prompt. Be sure that the essay you submit is relevant.

3. Check the details

Be sure you don’t name the wrong college or scholarship in your essay! Double and triple check before you submit!

Be sure your essay aligns with the values of the scholarship benefactors. You can usually find out more about the scholarship and the priorities of the donors from the organization’s website.

Allow plenty of time to write your scholarship essays—and revise, edit and proofread them! 

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Can I use my common App essay for a scholarship essay?

You can reuse or adapt your Common Application essay for external scholarships only.

Do not reuse your main personal statement essay for college scholarships. The scholarship committee may have access to your personal statement. Or the admissions committee might help decide about scholarship awards.

Take the time to craft a new essay specific to any college scholarships you want to apply for, rather than reusing the same college application essay you originally submitted for that college.

What else do I need to apply for scholarships?

When colleges are awarding scholarship money to incoming students, they require one or two well-written essays, one or more letters of recommendation, and a resume or list of your community service and extracurricular activities.

If the scholarship awards are based on academic merit, they may also require test scores (ACT or SAT from the college board) or your GPA.

Final Thoughts On Using The Same Essay For Different Scholarship Applications

It’s okay to send the same essay (or parts of it) to different scholarship programs. You can recycle a scholarship essay and use it to apply for scholarships at different universities.

⭐️ Never submit the same essay for different scholarships at one college. Assume that each essay you submit is part of your portfolio, and don’t duplicate your work.

⭐️ Scholarship committees are looking for candidates who demonstrate a genuine interest in and alignment with their specific goals, values, and missions.

⭐️ Colleges want to know that every merit scholarship they award is going to someone who’s a good fit for their institution. So be sure to tailor your scholarship essays to the different schools you apply to.

⭐️ Always write about your personal experiences. Scholarship committees want to read a personal essay about your life experiences.

With everything you need to do during your senior year of high school for the college admission process, it’s a good idea to craft strong essays that will work for multiple writing prompts.

As you complete college admission essays, complete applications for numerous colleges, and fill out financial assistance forms, writing scholarship essays will be the last thing you want to do.

So a good rule of thumb is to work smarter, not harder! Simplify the college scholarship essay writing process by strategically editing and adapting essays you’ve already written.

How to get merit scholarships for college: 21 Tips

How to get merit scholarships for college: 21 Tips

College Merit Scholarships for Average Students

College Merit Scholarships for Average Students

College Scholarship Interview Questions: How to Answer and Win Money

College Scholarship Interview Questions: How to Answer and Win Money

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Graduate of Brown University, higher ed professional, and mom of three. Sharing everything I’ve learned about college with you.

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How to Find and Apply for Scholarships

College board scholarship search, what are scholarships .

Scholarships are a type of financial aid commonly referred to as “free money” or “gift aid.” Scholarships usually require an application and are often awarded to students based on a combination of factors including merit. Merit scholarships tend to have specific requirements and are awarded to applicants based on certain skills and accomplishments and may not be based on financial need. Scholarships may be renewable, meaning you can receive scholarships for more than one year. A new application may be required along with maintaining certain eligibility requirements, such as GPA or a certain major.

Why do I need scholarships?

Scholarships are a great type of financial aid because they do not have to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can help cover the remaining bill and indirect costs, while also minimizing the amount you need to borrow in loans while in college.

What are some common scholarship application requirements?

Many scholarships require similar application materials, which commonly include:

  • The application, which can be paper or an online form. 
  • Essays, often personal statements, that provide insight into your activities inside and outside the classroom. 
  • Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, community members, or other mentors. 
  • Honors or awards you have received, academic or otherwise. 
  • Information about your high school or college, which may include your transcript, GPA, Student Aid Report, or financial aid offer.
  • A résumé that includes any employment, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences.

Specialized scholarships may require additional information and may have a priority deadline. For example, scholarships supporting the arts may require portfolios or writing samples. Be sure to read each application thoroughly for requirements so you don’t miss any.

What should I do before college to increase my chances?

Since many scholarships are merit based, maintaining good grades and increasing your involvement in school and community activities are important. Some scholarships have GPA requirements, so keeping your grades up will help open more opportunities. Additionally, many applicants with varied extracurriculars and volunteer or job experiences may stand out. The more scholarships you’re eligible for and apply for, the better the odds you have of receiving one.

What are the best ways to find and receive a scholarship?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances while applying. One of the most important things to remember is that the scholarship committee wants to get to know you through the applications—you want to show why your college education is worth investing in. 

There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances, including: 

  • Start early and search year-round: No matter what stage in the college process you’re at, you should start looking for scholarships now. There are even scholarships that high school students can receive before senior year. Scholarship deadlines vary, so setting some time aside every few weeks to search and apply will open up more opportunities of securing a scholarship. 
  • Use the right search engine: Finding scholarships to apply for can be difficult, but with the right search engine you can narrow your search and find scholarships you’re eligible for. BigFuture’s scholarship search is a great resource to use.
  • Find a balance: You should apply for several scholarships—the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving one. However, it’s important to use your time wisely. You should only apply for those you’re eligible for, based on the requirements. 
  • Research local scholarships: Local scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, meaning you may be more likely to get them. Your high school counselor or college financial aid department might have insight about where to find and apply for local scholarships. Be sure to talk to others in your community, and check with local businesses and organizations like banks and churches. 

How do I know a scholarship is legit? 

While plenty of legitimate scholarships are available, some fake scholarships are set up to scam students out of money or personal information. Using reliable search engines, like BigFuture, can help avoid this. Scholarships should always be free to apply. Some may ask for your bank account information after choosing you as a recipient, but they should not ask for this information as an application requirement. If you’re unsure, contact the organization or company providing the scholarship to ensure they are legit. 

Finding and applying to scholarships sounds like a lot of work—how can I make this process easier?

Because scholarships don’t need to be repaid, they can be an important part of making college affordable. However, we know that it might not always be feasible to spend a lot of time applying. There are a few things you can do to simplify the process and save time where possible. 

  • Start early: Prioritize getting two or three letters of recommendation, and write your essay/personal statement before you start searching to help save time.
  • Time management: Plan to spend a day or two a month searching and submitting applications with your prepared materials to avoid last-minute applications, missed deadlines, and stress.
  • Stay organized: Collecting and organizing your application materials and tracking due dates will help you stay on track and avoid missing out on opportunities. 
  • Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for can save you time.

With these tips and resources, you’ll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your college costs. Check out your chance to earn $500 and $40,000 scholarships in monthly drawings offered by BigFuture to students who complete the steps to plan for college .

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Can You Use the Same Essay for Multiple College Apps?

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Learn about our editorial policies

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Can You Use the Same Essay for Multiple College Apps?

You might be asking yourself, “can you use the same essay for multiple colleges?” The short answer is yes, but that it sometimes depends on a few factors. It is important to ensure that the essay you are reusing is general enough to be used for multiple college apps. Read more in our guide about instances where it makes sense to use the same essay for multiple college applications. 

Before we start, we should recognize that the college admission process often involves writing multiple responses, including personal statements,  Common App essays, college specific essays, supplemental essays, and more. 

Can you submit the same personal statement to different schools? 

The good news is that you can submit the same personal statement to different schools. 

The personal statement is usually attached to the Common Application and the Coalition Application . The personal statement aims to get to know the applicant as a unique person. Students can do this by writing about a unique aspect of their lives, an accomplishment they are most proud of, or ultimately anything that shows who they are. It would be unnecessary to write a different personal statement for every college since the personal statement is all about you. 

Also see: How to write a successful college essay by showing, not telling

Can you submit the same college-specific supplemental essays for multiple college applications? 

“why us” question.

The “Why us” essay questions typically will not be able to be reused. This is because they are specifically designed to elicit a response regarding the uniqueness of their college. “Why us?” questions are supposed to be answered by sharing specific aspects of the school the applicant enjoys such as the campus, a specific course, the alumni connection, etc. Therefore, since every college is unique in its own way, it is nearly impossible to write a “Why us?” response that would work for multiple college applications. 

Supplemental essays

There is a chance you can reuse a supplemental essay for multiple college applications. Colleges ask supplemental questions on a variety of topics, and some questions are broader than others. This is a time to be very careful, as you don’t want any kind of a mix-up like praising the perpetually warm and sunny weather at the University of Minnesota!

Related: How to write about yourself

Tips for using the same essay for multiple college applications

Read the essay question carefully.

To begin, you must read the question carefully to ensure that any previous essay you have written will answer all parts of the question. It is critical that you are not ignoring parts of the question just because you have an essay that answers the other part of the question. 

Make sure that your response is college specific

If the question asks specifically about the college it is important to put specific details into your essay. You should be as detailed as possible when responding to a college specific question to show that you care about attending that college!

Don’t miss : How to ask for letters of recommendation for college and scholarships

Proofread!! 

It is so important to read over your essay to ensure that there is no mention of a different college in it. Proofreading your essay will also avoid any grammatical errors and typos. 

Write a new essay if necessary

When in doubt, the best thing to do is completely write a new essay. This will result in the most specific and detail oriented essay possible that does not seem to be general or non-question specific. Reusing essays is an efficient way to fill out college applications, but it may not always be the one that results in the best essays. So, when in doubt, write a new essay! 

Key Takeaways

  • Reusing your personal statement essay for multiple colleges is not only allowed, but sometimes encouraged
  • When in doubt, write a new essay and do not reuse!
  • Always proofread before submitting a supplemental essay to ensure you did not leave any “College A” specific details when submitting something to “College B” 

Also see: How many colleges should I apply to? and   10 tips for successful college applications

Additional resources

Congratulations on starting your applications to college! Remember, Scholarships360 has resources that can help you pay for college too! High school seniors  can take advantage of specific scholarship opportunities. Some scholarships require essays and applications, but others are no-essay or easy to apply for scholarships . Scholarships360 is here to provide valuable resources and access to scholarships for students. Try our handy dandy search platform and apply for all the scholarship you qualify for! 

Start your scholarship search

  • Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
  • Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Frequently asked questions about using the same essay for multiple college apps

Do colleges know if you use the same essay, can you use the same essay for the common application and the coalition application, scholarships360 recommended.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can i use the same essay for multiple scholarship applications.

I've written a really strong essay for one scholarship application, and I'm wondering if it's okay to use the same essay for other scholarships. Is this frowned upon or is it a common practice?

It's great to hear that you've written a strong essay for a scholarship application! Using the same essay for multiple scholarships is actually quite common, as long as the essay prompts are similar or can be adapted to fit the requirements of the other scholarships. It's important, however, to make sure that you tailor your essay to each specific scholarship by addressing the prompt and any unique aspects of that particular opportunity.

For example, if the scholarship you initially wrote the essay for was focused on community service, and the next scholarship you're applying to is centered around leadership, you might need to tweak your essay to emphasize your leadership skills and experiences more. Additionally, if the scholarship has a word count requirement, make sure to adjust your essay to fit within those guidelines.

In essence, while it's perfectly acceptable to use the same essay as a foundation for multiple scholarships, just make sure you take the time to customize it to fit the specific requirements of each opportunity. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

November 30, 2023

How to Reuse College Application Essays

illustration two people and large question mark

Applying to multiple colleges can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to writing essays. Fortunately, one strategy to manage this workload is by reusing your college application essays. This doesn't mean submitting the exact same essay to every college, but rather adapting a single essay to fit different prompts. Here's how you can do this effectively.

1. Understand the Core Themes Your essays likely revolve around a few key themes or experiences. Identify these themes – for example, leadership, community service, a personal challenge, or a unique talent. Once you've pinpointed these, you'll find it easier to see how one essay could be tweaked to suit different applications.

2. Tailor, Don’t Copy Reusing an essay doesn't mean copying and pasting it into another application. You need to tailor it to the specific prompt and school. This might involve changing the introduction, altering some of the details, or refocusing the conclusion. Ensure that your essay answers the question asked by each college.

3. Keep the College in Mind Each college has its own ethos and values. Try to understand what each college is looking for and tweak your essay to reflect that. If a college values community service, emphasize that aspect of your story more. If it’s a technical school, focus on your problem-solving skills or love for technology.

4. Avoid Specific References If your essay includes specific references to a particular college, make sure to alter these when reusing your essay for a different application. You don’t want to submit an essay to College X that mentions how much you want to attend College Y.

5. Review and Revise Each time you adapt an essay for a new application, review it thoroughly. Ensure that it flows well and that there are no leftover references or details that don’t apply to the new prompt or college. Proofread for grammar and spelling errors.

6. Stay Authentic While it’s important to adapt your essays, make sure they still reflect your true self and your genuine experiences. Admission officers can tell when an essay feels disingenuous or overly tailored. Keep your narrative authentic.

7. Use Supplementary Essays Wisely If a college asks for supplementary essays, use them to showcase different aspects of your personality or different experiences. This helps in presenting a well-rounded picture of who you are, beyond what you discussed in your main essay.

Conclusion Reusing college application essays is a smart strategy to reduce your workload, but it requires careful planning and customization. By understanding the core themes of your essays, tailoring them to each college, and keeping them authentic, you can create strong, individualized applications for each college on your list. Remember, the goal is to show each college why you’re a great fit, and a well-adapted essay is a key step in this process.

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Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships? (Ideas, FAQs, Plagiarism)

ST Admin

  • April 15, 2024
  • Scholarships

Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships?

It’s common for college students to wonder, “Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships?” while applying for grants and scholarships.

This is because the time and work required to generate new pieces for each scholarship application (chance) are frequently prohibitive.

So, this highlights the value of reusing scholarship essays. However, determining how to reuse scholarship essays is not always straightforward.

If you wish to reuse your scholarship essays, you must understand when and how to do it properly. Here’s a look at whether reusing scholarship essays is a good idea and how to reuse them properly if you must.

Table of Contents

How do you Compose an Essay for a College Scholarship?

  • Create an enticing first paragraph.
  • Get into the specifics of why you’re applying for the award.
  • The body paragraph’s thesis statement should be included at the end of the introduction.

Tips to Avoid when writing an Essay for Scholarship:

  • Don’t forget about the due date.
  • Don’t Waste Your Time.
  • Obey the Instructions.
  • Do not send in a half-baked application.
  • Don’t be messy.
  • Proofreading is important.

Are Scholarship Essays Reusable?

Scholarship essays can be reused if they are submitted for numerous scholarships. The great majority of the time, there are no regulations prohibiting it.

A good rule of thumb to follow is that if you are the original author of the essay, you should be able to submit it to multiple scholarship panels.

However, this does not mean they should copy and paste the present essay into a new application. All scholarships have different essay requirements.

The committee may set varied word count parameters and offer unique suggestions. It’s possible that you could be rejected if you don’t follow these guidelines.

In addition, the essay’s original tone or topic may not be appropriate for the new audience. Priorities and preferences differ from committee to committee.

The essay’s chances of being accepted by the committee when assessed plummet dramatically if it does not address their concerns.

Read more: Transcript for Scholarship Applications (Expert Research and tips)

Can You Use Scholarship Essays from Others?

Even though students can reuse their scholarship essays, this does not necessarily mean that it is a smart option.

It’s essential to remember that each committee has its standards and expectations. What works for one committee may not work for another because each committee is its audience.

Students typically need to edit the text before handing it to a new panel to reuse a scholarship essay. Even though the essential message is likely to remain the same, the tone, word count, and other adjustments may be necessary.

Writing a new essay may be faster if the necessary adjustments are made. Because of this, students should consider the amount of effort involved before making a final decision.

Reusing an old essay for a new scholarship can have some advantages if it’s an excellent match for the current opportunity. You will be able to apply for more scholarships in a shorter period.

As a bonus, it could help you keep a more positive attitude during the scholarship search process.

You must decide if the essay you have already written is appropriate for the new scholarship. You will be able to make an informed decision this way.

Read more: How Many Scholarships Can I Apply For?

The Right Way to Reuse Scholarship Essays:

Reusing a scholarship essay correctly typically entails changing the material before submitting it for a new scholarship.

In most circumstances, submitting a piece as-is means that the committee won’t be able to see exactly what they want to see. As a result, you could miss out on the scholarship reward, even if it saves time.

To reuse scholarship essays, you will require a well-thought-out plan.

A step-by-step procedure for determining if reusing an essay is a wise option and how to change the content to make it an outstanding fit is provided herein.

To fulfill the requirements, you should check the essay requirements before attempting to reuse a scholarship essay. There are additional considerations to take into account in addition to word count.

Applicants should check if there are any limits on using previously published work in their essays since some committees may urge only original work to be submitted.

Check out the right ways to reuse scholarship essays:

Review the topic:

Becoming off-topic in a scholarship essay isn’t the only thing to avoid, but it is a big no-no. If you consider reusing a scholarship essay, they must ensure that the existing content matches the committee’s needs.

This essay isn’t a perfect match for the current prompt, even though it is related to the previous essay’s prompt. When it comes to popular academic inquiries, there are several variations.

Some committees may ask students to describe their greatest inspirations, while others may inquire about their idols. Even though the differences are slight, they do exist.

If the new essay fits a previous essay, it is a good candidate for reuse. Starting over is always preferable when anything is drastically wrong with the original.

Get Details about the Organization:

The goals and objectives of a company are unique to that firm. Students can obtain a sense of the scholarship committee’s priorities and ideas by looking at these, which can help them target their essays appropriately.

Student committees should compare the missions and values of their current and past committees before reusing essays they have already written. The essay’s tone can be reused if they’re a good match.

There may be a problem if the style of the existing piece does not match the new committee’s expectations or tastes. Writing a new essay is often the best solution in this circumstance.

Check the International Scholarships for Nigerians to Study in Canada

Make the appropriate changes:

Having completed the processes above, students should be able to determine if an old essay is a good fit for the new application. If this is the case, they can modify its content to satisfy any new requirements.

There are several ways to accomplish this, such as reducing or increasing word quantity or changing word choice to match a new tone.

If your student wants to get the new scholarship, they’ll need to redo their essay from scratch. They’ll save time and have a better chance of winning the prize this way.

Be sure to double-check your work before submission:

When you have made the necessary changes, go through your work once or twice to check for errors. Corrections in grammar and spelling are crucial.

If you made significant changes to the material, make sure the transitions between points are smooth.

If possible, you should enlist the help of a knowledgeable guidance counselor, teacher, close friend, or member of the family to double-check the new essay.

Having a second set of eyes looking for errors and giving recommendations increases the likelihood that the final version will be competitive.

A text-to-speech application and audio of the article can be helpful if that isn’t possible. Sometimes it is easier to hear a mistake than see it, making this a simple way to identify missed faults when examining a document.

The essay should be saved and submitted at this point:

You can, at this point, choose to submit the revised essay to the committee by saving it as a new document and following the processes outlined above.

It’s a means for you to save all of the information you have worked on to build a greater library of materials that you can reuse for future scholarship applications.

Check out: How to Write a Check for Yourself (Step by Step)

Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Reuse a Scholarship Essay:

  • Reusing an essay could indicate that you aren’t putting your best foot forward in the scholarship application process.
  • Scholarships typically ask you to write on a specific topic in your essay. For example, you may not have covered all of the required themes if you reuse a scholarship essay.
  • The essay could be a reflection of your personality and life experiences. ” If you recycle an essay, it may not accurately represent who you are.”
  • Scholarship essays are an excellent way for organizations to learn more about you and what you hope to accomplish via their program. You never know if recycling an essay will provide judges with enough information to make an informed choice.
  • As a means of gauging an applicant’s dedication to the organization, scholarship essays could be used. A repurposed essay may appear to be uninterested in receiving a scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions on “Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships?”

All of your college applications can benefit from the same personal statement and supporting information essays. It’s a little different because the extra essay tends to be more focused on a certain university or college.

Plagiarism is against the rules of academic decorum and can get you expelled or suspended. People’s original works are devalued by plagiarism. An unfair advantage is gained by using and submitting a professional’s work as your own.

Punishments for plagiarism and cheating in college can range from an “F” grade in the class to the loss of scholarships and possibly expulsion from the university.

Start writing the essay early. Understand the scholarship provider. Follow the scholarship essay instructions. Don’t be afraid to get personal.

Read more: Self Plagiarism in College (Meaning, Charges, Dos & Donts)

Conclusion:

Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships? Yes, you may reuse your scholarship essay; however, ensure that your essay addresses the challenge directly, adheres to the word limit, and reflects the organization’s principles.

If you prepare ahead, you can save time by writing a single scholarship essay in response to several comparable prompts.

You can aggregate or color-code overlapping essay prompts in a scholarship tracker spreadsheet; then create a single essay for numerous scholarships. Occasionally, you may be able to reuse or adapt your primary college essay.

Awesome one; I hope this article answered your question.

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Can you reuse essays for scholarships.

Scholarships are a great way to help pay for college, but the application process can be time-consuming and competitive. One way to make the process easier is to reuse essays that you’ve written for other scholarships. But can you actually do this? And if so, how do you make sure that your essay is still unique and tailored to the scholarship you’re applying for?

The short answer is yes, you can reuse essays for scholarships, but it’s important to do it in a way that is still unique and tailored to the scholarship you’re applying for. Here are a few tips on how to do this:

  • Edit and Customize the Essay: The first step in reusing an essay is to edit and customize it to fit the scholarship you’re applying for. This means looking at the essay and making sure that it addresses the specific requirements and themes of the scholarship.
  • Use Specific Examples: Another way to make sure that your essay is unique is to use specific examples that are relevant to the scholarship. For example, if the scholarship is for a specific field of study, make sure to include examples of how your experiences and interests align with that field.
  • Check for Plagiarism: Before you submit your essay, make sure to check it for plagiarism. You don’t want to accidentally use the same language or ideas from another essay, as this can be a big red flag for scholarship reviewers.

But Why Reuse Essays in the First Place?

You might be wondering why you would want to reuse essays for scholarships in the first place. After all, isn’t the whole point of a scholarship essay to show how unique and qualified you are? Here are a few reasons why reusing essays can be a great strategy:

  • Save Time: The most obvious reason to reuse essays is that it saves time. If you’ve already written an essay that you’re proud of, you don’t have to start from scratch every time you apply for a scholarship.
  • Demonstrate Consistency: Reusing essays can also help you demonstrate consistency in your application. If you’re applying for multiple scholarships, it’s important to show that you have a clear and consistent message. By reusing essays, you can make sure that your message is consistent across all of your applications.
  • Highlight Your Best Qualities: Finally, reusing essays can help you highlight your best qualities. If you’ve written an essay that you’re particularly proud of, it’s worth reusing it to make sure that scholarship reviewers see it.

How to Reuse Essays Effectively

Can You Reuse Essays for Scholarships

Reusing essays can be a great strategy, but it’s important to do it in a way that is still effective. Here are a few tips on how to reuse essays effectively:

  • Be Strategic: When deciding which essays to reuse, be strategic. Choose essays that you think will be most relevant and impressive to the scholarship reviewers.
  • Edit and Customize: As mentioned earlier, it’s important to edit and customize your essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for. Don’t just copy and paste the same essay for every scholarship.

Reusing essays for scholarships can be a great way to save time and highlight your best qualities. However, it’s important to do it in a way that is still unique and tailored to the scholarship you’re applying for. By editing and customizing your essays, using specific examples, and checking for plagiarism , you can make sure that your essay is still effective and impressive to scholarship reviewers .

It’s also important to remember that your essay is just one part of the scholarship application process. Even if you have the best essay in the world, it won’t guarantee you a scholarship if the rest of your application is weak. Make sure to also focus on other parts of the application, such as your grades, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.

Another thing to consider is the fact that scholarships are a competitive process, and you should always aim to stand out. You can achieve this by doing your research, make sure you understand what the scholarship is looking for, and tailor your essay to that. Also, pay attention to the formatting, grammar and punctuation, a well-written essay is more likely to be read and considered.

In conclusion, reusing essays for scholarships can be a great way to save time and highlight your best qualities. However, it’s important to do it in a way that is still unique and tailored to the scholarship you’re applying for. By following these tips and making sure that the rest of your application is strong, you can increase your chances of winning a scholarship.

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can you reuse essays for scholarships

Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

can you reuse essays for scholarships

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

can you reuse essays for scholarships

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

  • Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
  • Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
  • Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
  • Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

  • The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
  • An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

  • Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
  • Be age 16 or older.
  • Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
  • If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
  • As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

  • Amyrrean Acoff
  • Leon Aldridge
  • Kharis Andrews
  • Colton Collier
  • Indya Griffin
  • Christopher Hak
  • Aquil Hayes
  • Jayden Haynes
  • McKenna Jodoin
  • Paris Kelly
  • Liza Latimer
  • Dylan Lodle
  • Anna Mammarelli
  • Karrington Manley
  • Marcellus Odum
  • Gautami Palthepu
  • Melody Small
  • Lauryn Tanner
  • Joshua Wilson
  • Mohamed Ali
  • Kayla Bellamy
  • Lauren Boxx
  • Alexandria Brown
  • Samuel Brown
  • Thurston Brown
  • Conner Daehler
  • Tsehai de Souza
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  • Trinity Griffin
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  • Ryan Jensen
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  • Shaniece McGhee
  • Chelby Melvin
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  • Kiera Phillips
  • Gabrielle Pippins
  • Ethan Snead
  • Sydney Springs
  • Kirsten Tilford
  • Tamira Weeks
  • Justin Williams

2022 Winners

  • Paul Aucremann
  • William Booker
  • Robyn Cunningham
  • Kani'ya Davis
  • Oluwatomi Dugbo
  • Lillian Goins
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  • Collin Hatfield
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  • Jacob Milan
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  • Brian Perryman
  • De'Marco Riggins
  • Brianna Roundtree
  • Sydney Russell
  • Carlie Spore
  • Morgan Standifer
  • Ionia Thomas
  • Ramaya Thomas
  • Jaylen Toran
  • Amani Veals
  • Taylor Williams
  • Alana Wilson
  • Taryn Wilson
  • Aryaunna Armstrong
  • Hannah Blackwell
  • T'Aneka Bowers
  • Naomi Bradley
  • Arianna Cannon
  • Taylor Cline
  • Catherine Cummings
  • Margaret Fitzgerald
  • Chloe Franklin
  • Camryn Gaines
  • Thomas Greer
  • Kayla Helleson
  • Veronica Holmes
  • Logan Kurtz
  • Samuel Lambert
  • Jaylon Muchison
  • Teresa Odom
  • Andrew Payne
  • Carey Price
  • Emily SantiAnna
  • Curtis Smith
  • Jered Smith
  • Mariah Standifer
  • Maura Taylor
  • Anna Wilkes

IMAGES

  1. How to Reuse Scholarship Essays (the RIGHT Way)

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

  2. How to Reuse Scholarship Essays (the RIGHT Way)

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

  3. Learn How to Write a Truly Impressive Scholarship Essay!

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

  4. Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships? (Ideas, FAQs, Plagiarism)

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

  5. Top 10 Common Scholarship Essay Prompts & Essay Tips On How To Answer

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

  6. 5 Overlooked Scholarship Essay Tips You Need to Know

    can you reuse essays for scholarships

VIDEO

  1. How to write good essays for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

  2. Mastering the STAR Approach

COMMENTS

  1. How to Reuse Scholarship Essays (the RIGHT Way)

    Here is a step-by-step process they can use to determine if recycling an essay is an option and how to adjust the content to make it an excellent fit for a common application. 1. Read the General Requirements. Before your student tries to reuse a scholarship essay, the first thing they need to do is review the essay requirements.

  2. How to Reuse College and Scholarship Essays Effectively

    It is especially easy to reuse essays for scholarship applications. Throughout your scholarship application process, you may begin to notice that several scholarships share the same essay prompts. ... When reusing a scholarship essay, it can be easy to just copy and paste without looking deeper into what changes may need to be made.

  3. Reusing Essays for Multiple Scholarships

    Here are some tips for tweaking your essay for each individual scholarship: 1. Thoroughly read the scholarship prompt and requirements: Before you reuse an essay, make sure you understand the specific requirements of the new scholarship prompt. Some scholarships may ask for additional information or a different angle on a topic.

  4. Can I reuse another essay for my scholarship essay?

    If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay.

  5. Can You Use the Same Essay for Different Scholarships?

    Myth: I Can Just Reuse Essays On Multiple Scholarships. The essay is arguably the most important component of your scholarship application. It's a chance to tell your story and help you stand out among all the other applicants. but writing them is also time-consuming. This is where many applicants are tempted to reuse the same college ...

  6. How to Write a Scholarship Essay

    If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay.

  7. Crafting Compelling Scholarship Essays: An In-Depth Guide to Making

    Absolutely, it can be extremely beneficial to have others review your essay. They can provide constructive criticism, catch any typos or grammatical errors, and provide an outside perspective to ensure your message is clear and compelling. Creating compelling scholarship essays can help you win college scholarships to pay for your education.

  8. Reuse or Recycle: How to Manage College Essay Material

    Streamline this process by creating a structure for your essays that allows you to predictably manage your school-specific content. For example, connect with each school ' s unique traditions, programs, campus culture, surrounding neighborhoods, etc. You could potentially save precious time and mental energy by applying a consistent structure ...

  9. Reusing scholarship essays?

    Hi! Reusing scholarship essays can be a smart and efficient strategy, especially if you're applying for multiple scholarships with similar prompts. Just make sure that you carefully tailor each essay to fit the specific requirements and expectations of each scholarship organization, and ensure the essay still genuinely addresses the prompt and demonstrates your passion for the topic.

  10. Top Essay Scholarship Tips

    Each scholarship has its own set of rules, and essays are one method to distinguish yourself from the competition. You may, however, reuse parts of your essay in different essays. Simply tailor each essay to match the requirements of the particular scholarship. When you are applying for scholarships, your essay is very important.

  11. Can You Use the Same Essay for Different College Applications?

    Yes! It's perfectly okay to use the same essay for both the Common App and Coalition Application. In fact, you can use the same essay for any application that requires a lengthy personal statement—like ApplyTexas—since the prompts are broad. Given the number of colleges that now accept the Common App and Coalition Application, this will ...

  12. Using the same essay for different college scholarships

    College is expensive, so you'll probably be applying for lots of scholarships. If you can win scholarships, you'll basically get free money towards the cost of college. So it's work the extra effort to apply for scholarship money. It makes sense to edit and reuse your scholarship essays whenever possible. This will save time and effort.

  13. How to Find and Apply for Scholarships

    Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you're applying for can save you time. With these tips and resources, you'll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your ...

  14. Can You Use the Same Essay for Multiple College Apps?

    Supplemental essays. There is a chance you can reuse a supplemental essay for multiple college applications. Colleges ask supplemental questions on a variety of topics, and some questions are broader than others. ... Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship; Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships; Quick apply for ...

  15. Can You Reuse Essays for College Applications?

    7 tips to use to reuse your essay. Now, here's how to reuse your essay and stay organized in the process. 1. Understand the prompt variations. Before repurposing essays, carefully review the prompts for each college application. While many prompts may appear similar, subtle differences can significantly impact how you tailor your response.

  16. Can I use the same essay for multiple scholarship applications?

    6 months ago. It's great to hear that you've written a strong essay for a scholarship application! Using the same essay for multiple scholarships is actually quite common, as long as the essay prompts are similar or can be adapted to fit the requirements of the other scholarships. It's important, however, to make sure that you tailor your essay ...

  17. Reusing college essays

    Fortunately, one strategy to manage this workload is by reusing your college application essays. This doesn't mean submitting the exact same essay to every college, but rather adapting a single essay to fit different prompts. Here's how you can do this effectively. 1. Understand the Core Themes Your essays likely revolve around a few key themes ...

  18. Can I Reuse Essays for Scholarships? (Ideas, FAQs, Plagiarism)

    Scholarship essays can be reused if they are submitted for numerous scholarships. The great majority of the time, there are no regulations prohibiting it. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if you are the original author of the essay, you should be able to submit it to multiple scholarship panels. Advertisement.

  19. Can You Reuse Essays For Scholarships

    Be Strategic: When deciding which essays to reuse, be strategic. ...

  20. Is it safe to reuse my scholarship essay? : r/college

    Its perfectly fine to reuse the same essay for something like this. That's totally fine. Despite what others are saying, no it's not "safe". It is possible to plagiarize yourself by reusing old material. It'll only get you in academic trouble if the scholarship is through your school, but it's pretty standard practice for scholarship essays to ...

  21. Can I re-use the same essay for different scholarships at the same

    WashU really reuses prompts but doesn't let us reuse essays smh 💀. ofc you can! Same question for the same school but different prompts. I'm applying for two scholarships at WashU, and they have different essay prompts but I've written an essay that I feel fits both the prompts pretty well.

  22. r/scholarships on Reddit: I FINALLY won a Bold.Org Scholarship after

    It's okay and recommended to reuse essays but make sure every visible application on your page isn't the exact same essay. So be strategic about which essays you make visible. To easily allow for variation, I would apply to some of the scholarships that require you to only say one sentence. But all this to say, if you cycle through a few ...

  23. Can you reuse your personal statement for a scholarship essay ...

    Hey there, I'm a bot and something you said made me think you might be looking for help! It sounds like your post is related to essays — please check the A2C Wiki Page on Essays for a list of resources related to essay topics, tips & tricks, and editing advice. Please be cautious of possible plagarism if you do decide to share your essay with other users.

  24. Riding Forward Scholarship Contest

    Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form. Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB.

  25. Is it like a rule of thumb not to reuse a scholarship essay ...

    They can still choose someone they prefer but you only have a shot at the scholarship applications you turn in. It's not like you need to handwrite essays for applications. My kid applied for a scholarship for someone that had 100 hours of service in their junior and senior year for any ONE local organization.