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How to Write the Ohio State University Essay 2021-2022

If you’re interested in The Ohio State University, there are luckily no supplemental essays that apply to all applicants. There is an additional essay for the Morrill Scholarship Program, however. This is a competitive program for students who excel academically, have strong leadership skills, and are interested in fostering diversity and inclusion within their communities. 

Each year, only 300 students are named Morrill Scholars, which provides both in-state and out-of-state students free tuition scholarships. In this post, we’ll discuss this year’s essay prompt for the program, and how you can maximize your chances of acceptance by writing a great essay.

Want to know your chances at OSU? Calculate your chances for free right now.

The Ohio State University Morrill Scholarship Essay Prompt

Below is information about the Morrill Scholarship, as well as the essay prompt. Each applicant must respond to the prompt in 350-500 words. 

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) is one of Ohio State’s premier scholarship opportunities offered through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). MSP seeks academically talented student leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, service and social justice.

MSP scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students admitted to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester following high school graduation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.

Morrill Scholarship Program Prompt

How have your life experiences and/or endeavors prepared you to be a morrill scholar please answer fully, and when possible, provide specific examples. (350–500 words), understanding the prompt .

In a way, this prompt is asking you two distinct questions. First, the prompt is asking you to pick a life experience that you want to discuss. Next, you’ll have to discuss why this experience would make you a good candidate for a Morrill Scholarship. To help you brainstorm some ideas, below are some questions you’ll want to think about before you start writing.

• What is one of your life experiences that has fundamentally questioned the way that you view life? 
• Are there any social justice issues that you are particularly passionate about? Why?
• Leadership takes many forms. How have you showed leadership in the past?
• What type of traits do you think a Morrill Scholar has?

Once you have answers to these questions, be sure to do some research on the Morrill Scholarship and what it entails, as well as what types of students typically receive the scholarship. Try and determine why these students were good applicants, and look for any similarities or things you have in common with them.

Cliché Topics to Avoid

While you have the freedom to discuss an important life experience, there are still some topics that you’ll want to avoid. These include: 

• Picking a topic such as sports injury, tragedy, or bad grade
• Picking a topic that isn’t significant enough and not explaining how the experience impacted you
• Using a privileged tone when discussing your perspective
• Having a cliché ending, such as  “ I learned that people can be happy with so little, ” or “ I learned the importance of giving back. ”

Writing the Essay 

Once you have an understanding of what the prompt and the program is looking for, you can start writing. Although there is no one perfect way to structure this essay, it might be helpful to follow this general format:

• Describe a memorable life experience that relates to a topic of diversity, inclusion, or social justice
• Demonstrate how this experience made you grow or highlighted an aspect of your personality
• Explain what you will bring to the program after going through this experience

Let’s look at each section in more detail now.

1.  Describe a memorable life experience

The admissions officers want to know what you have been through. They know about issues like racial injustice or mass incarceration—what they don’t know about is you. Starting your essay off with an anecdote that clearly expresses what you have been through is a great way to show the admissions officers reading your essay that topics like diversity and social justice are important and relevant to you.

Maybe you grew up as a minority in a community and you talk about the time you were racially profiled at the mall with your friends. Or maybe you started a program at your school for kids who normally sat at lunch to sign up and get a buddy so they always had someone to eat with. Perhaps after researching a refugee crisis for your history class, you went to the local shelter in your town and spoke to the refugees about their experiences to understand them more.

Your experience with diversity and inclusion doesn’t necessarily have to be a traditional topic of diversity like racial, religious, or socioeconomic. You could also discuss your diversity of interests: you love collecting stamps even though most of your friends think it’s old fashioned. Or maybe you want to discuss your diversity of perspective: you are really liberal among your conservative family.

The most important thing is that you choose a single experience to focus your anecdote on. So, a student who wants to write about her ethnicity shouldn’t give a general overview of how she feels discriminated against because of where her family is from. Instead, she should focus on a specific instance of discrimination that strongly affected her or gave her a chance to stand up and defend herself.

2. Demonstrate how this experience made you grow

This next part of your essay is super important to show why this experience is so impactful and has prepared you to be a Morrill Scholar.

After you have set up the anecdote, now you should give insight as to what your state of mind or emotions were in this situation. Answering questions like these could be helpful:

• What did you feel in the moment?
• What was your perspective before this experience? After?
• Did a certain personality trait shine through? Were you brave, resilient, creative, determined?

However, be careful while you are writing. You want to convey the growth or traits that you expressed during or after this experience, but you don’t want to tell the admissions officers that planning a school walkout to protest the lack of diversity in the administration made you a more confident leader—they should learn that without ever being explicitly told so. By interjecting emotions or including your inner thoughts in the moment, you will be able to show your readers the impact this experience had on you.

3. Explain what you will bring to the program

The best way to conclude your essay is to bring it back to OSU and the Morrill Program. At the end of the day, there are hundreds of other students who likely have had similar experiences or takeaways as you. You need to show how what you have been through and learned will prepare you to contribute to the diverse and inclusive community on campus.

When talking about what you will bring—or what you hope to get out of—the Morrill Scholarship Program, you should mention both implicit and explicit aspects. 

Some implicit things you might contribute to the community are teaching your new friends your culture’s traditions, discussing difficult topics with peers who have different perspectives, or approaching new and intimidating situations with confidence and clarity. 

So an example of an implicit aspect of the community might be a student who talked about his experience volunteering with an immigration lawyer, where he learned how important it is for lawyers to be billingual to communicate with their clients, might write about how he wants to practice speaking Spanish with his friends. Whether they are having a debate in his Spanish class or just hanging out and eating dinner in the dining hall, he’s looking forward to surrounding himself with others who are dedicated to becoming billingual, and hopefully encouraging others to learn Spanish. 

For explicit things you hope to contribute or gain from the Morrill Scholars community you should research the opportunities afforded to you through the program. You might mention a club that aligns with your interests that you want to join, an event you started at your high school that you hope to bring to the OSU community, or a certain professor you are looking forward to working with.

An example of a student writing about an explicit aspect could be someone who had a tutor in high school that helped her feel better about herself since she struggled in her history class. Her tutor made her feel welcomed and included, and now she wants to give back to other students by becoming a Supplemental Instruction leader through the Morrill Scholarship Program. She feels she has learned a lot about what it takes to be an effective and encouraging tutor, and now she wants to give back to her future OSU students.

The best essays will combine implicit and explicit things you want to contribute or get out of the program, but as long as you can make the admissions officers feel like you belong in this program and on OSU’s campus, you will have done your job.

Where to Get Your OSU Morrill Scholarship Essay Edited for Free

Do you want feedback on your OSU Morrill Scholarship essay?If so, consider using our Peer Essay Review Tool , where you can input your essay and other students can provide constructive feedback on your writing. It can be hard to evaluate your own writing, which is why we created this helpful tool. You can even evaluate other student’s essays as well. Best of all, this tool is completely free! 

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Morrill Scholarship (Ohio State University (OSU)) Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the Morrill Scholarship essay? With tips from an Ivy League graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay will show you exactly how to write an engaging OSU special scholarship essay to help boost your OSU Morrill Scholarship application. With a strong essay, you will maximize your chances in the OSU Morrill Scholarship Program admissions process.

For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources on the college process,  click here . Want help crafting your OSU essay? Create your  free account  or  schedule your free advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

Morrill Scholarship (OSU) Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• The  OSU  acceptance rate is 68%— U.S. News  ranks OSU as a competitive school.
• We recommend answering the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay prompt comprehensively and thoughtfully.

Does Ohio State require essays?

No. Ohio State University does not require an additional OSU application essay unless you are applying to the Morrill Scholarship Program. If you choose to  apply  to the Morrill Scholarship Program, you must write a single OSU essay. This OSU application essay is 350-500 words—close to the length of the Common Application’s personal statement.

Remember, this OSU special scholarship essay is only required for Morrill Scholarship applicants. The general OSU application only requires a  Common Application  Personal Statement.

Need tips on writing your Common App essay? Check out our  blog article .

What is the Morrill Scholarship Program?

According to OSU, “The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) is one of Ohio State’s premier scholarship opportunities offered through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). MSP seeks academically talented student leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, service, and social justice.” If you are interested, be sure to visit the  MSP website  to learn more about the history of the scholarship, how MSP students get involved on OSU’s campus, as well as other scholarship  opportunities  only available to MSP students and  Young Scholars Program  participants.

Who is eligible?

According to the OSU Common Application, “MSP scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students admitted to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester following high school graduation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.”

Unlike many scholarships which simply grant funds without additional requirements, the Morrill Scholarship Program seeks academically exceptional high school seniors who will “serve as student ambassadors and champions of scholarship and diversity” and “actively engage in diversity-based leadership, service and social justice activities” at OSU. If you have done activities like this in the past, this may be the perfect program for you!

Additionally, The Morrill Scholarship Program has three award levels. These levels are as follows:

• Distinction, which equals the value of the cost of attendance for both Ohio residents and nonresidents.
• Prominence, which equals the value of in-state tuition plus the nonresident surcharge for nonresidents.
• Excellence, which equals the value of in-state tuition for Ohio residents.

All three of these Scholarships are renewable for eight semesters. Additionally, the OSU website notes that “over 80 percent of Morrill Scholarship recipients are also University Honors and Scholars students.”

Interested in learning more about these other programs? The  University Honors Program  offers honors courses to eligible students. It also gives these students the opportunity to live in Honors residential learning communities. The  Ohio State Scholars Program , on the other hand, is a residential program that organizes students into 16 specialized  communities . The students in each of the communities participate in community-specific learning experiences under the guidance of program mentors.

The most important takeaway is that participation in the University Honors Program or Ohio State Scholars Program does not disqualify you from the Morrill Scholars Program (MSP).

How competitive is the Morrill Scholarship?

While the Morrill Scholarship Program doesn’t publicly release information on the number of applicants, with a total undergraduate class size of 46,984 students at Ohio State University, Morrill Scholars comprise around three percent of the student body. That gives the MSP a lower acceptance rate than every Ivy League school!

In other words, The Morrill Scholarship Program is very competitive. Consequently, you should write a compelling response to the OSU special scholarship essay prompt to boost your admissions chances.

There are over 1,400 Morrill Scholars who “represent a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, and academic interests with a shared goal of infusing the campus with a celebration of an appreciation for diversity and inclusion.” The top tier of the program is the most competitive—OSU only selects  40 Distinction Scholars  each year.

Note: if you are considered for the Distinction Scholarship, you’ll need to interview in addition to the essay you submit in your OSU application.

While the Morrill Scholarship Program doesn’t release average standardized test scores and GPAs for their Scholars, therefore you should assume that selected students are on the higher end of each. If you think these qualifications describe you, you should definitely consider applying to the Morrill Scholarship Program as part of your OSU  application .

What do Morrill Scholars do?

Being a Morrill Scholar at Ohio State University is a prestigious honor. The Morrill Scholarship Program provides many exciting opportunities on the OSU campus. The OSU  website  details that Morrill Scholarship Program students are eligible to participate in activities such as:

• Diversity and inclusion-themed workshops, lectures, and service projects.
• Graduate and professional school preparation courses and guidance.
• Mentoring and tutoring to support your academic success.
• Morrill Scholars Early Arrival Program.
• ODI outreach and engagement projects on campus and in the community.
• ODI leadership and service courses for credit toward the Leadership Minor.
• Optional housing in the MSP Learning Community in Blackburn House.
• Service trips and travel abroad opportunities.

Additionally, according to the OSU website, “As social justice advocates, Morrill Scholars actively engage in civic engagement and advocacy through the MSP Learning Community, lead meaningful dialogue and discussions through the MSP Documentary Film Series, and share their innovative thoughts and ideas related to diversity and social justice activism and academic excellence through their topic-based MSP Teams.” This program is a great opportunity to be involved with social justice and advocacy during your time on OSU’s campus and to meet like-minded students.

Morrill Scholarship Essay Question

If you apply to the Morrill Scholarship Program this OSU essay prompt will appear in your Common Application:

You indicated interest in the Morrill Scholarship Program. To be considered for the Morrill Scholarship program, create a persuasive response to the following questions in 350-500 words. How have your life experiences and/or endeavors prepared you to be a Morrill Scholar? Please answer fully, and when possible, provide specific examples. (500 words maximum).

How do you write a Morrill Scholarship Essay?

To answer the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay, you must first pay specific attention to what qualities OSU looks for in their Morrill Scholars. Your response to this prompt should demonstrate that you would be an asset to the Morrill Scholarship Program. In other words, use this OSU application essay to prove that you fit the criteria used to evaluate OSU application essays for the Morrill Scholarship Program.

Pay attention to the language that OSU uses to describe the Morrill Scholarship Program. They specifically seek “advocates and champions” of four pillars: diversity, inclusion, social justice, and academic excellence. In your OSU special scholarship essay, you will should demonstrate how you have advocated for these values during your high school career.

Choosing a Topic

Unsure how to start? Begin with a structured  freewriting  session. Take approximately ten minutes and write on how you’ve interacted with each of the four pillars mentioned above. This OSU special scholarship essay asks you to describe specific “experiences and endeavors” that make you a strong candidate for the MSP. Therefore, you should choose an anecdote (or several) that directly reflects your experiences around diversity, inclusion, social justice, and academic excellence.

Notice that this OSU application essay prompt mentions both “life experiences” and “endeavors.” These are important terms to define. Endeavors specifically speak to actions that you’ve undertaken to accomplish a goal. In other words, if you’ve done anything to promote and work towards the goals of diversity, inclusion, social justice, and academic excellence, then these are things to write about. For example, you could write about starting an Indigenous American film club at your school or volunteering in a literacy program at your local elementary school.

Life experiences, on the other hand, are less about actions that you’ve undertaken and more about how your experiences interact with the four pillars. For instance, you can describe your experiences as a member of a marginalized community or your journey towards allyship. However, if you write about your life experiences in your OSU application essay, remember to focus on  your  experiences. In other words, you shouldn’t tell someone else’s story. Keep the focus on yourself—the things that you’ve learned, observed, and dealt with firsthand.

Drafting a Response

When drafting your OSU essay, remember that you do not have to address all four of the pillars. However, your OSU application essay should address at least two. You don’t want to write selectively about one and ignore the others; the Morrill Scholarship Program looks for students who embody all of their values.

Given the scope of this OSU application essay, you might discuss several different experiences. For example, you could discuss how you spearheaded a free breakfast program at your high school alongside your experience volunteering at your town’s food bank. You could then connect these experiences to your interest in resolving inequities in global food access. You should first describe your anecdote; then, discuss how you grew from the experience. Don’t mention a situation without detailing how it shifted your perspective. Those awarding the OSU special scholarships want to see how your experiences have changed your outlook!

This question asks for a “persuasive essay.” You should approach writing with the goal of convincing the readers that you belong in the Morrill Scholarship Program. Strong topic choices and anecdotes are important for this OSU essay, but you should also be sure to focus on the why and not just the what. How did your experiences/endeavors shape you into a strong candidate for the exclusive Morrill Scholarship? What did you learn about the importance of the four pillars of the program, and how will you implement this on OSU’s campus? Be sure to include your future plans in your OSU application essay. After all, OSU wants to know how you will contribute to the MSP!

Morrill Scholarship Program Essay Key Questions:

• Do you engage with the four components (diversity, inclusion, social justice, and academic excellence) that are paramount to being a Morrill Scholar?
• Does your essay draw on anecdotes and specific examples from your lived experience?
• Do you use strong and descriptive language for active storytelling?

Additional tips for the Morrill Scholarship Essay

When responding to the OSU special scholarship essay prompt, you want to ensure that you have properly demonstrated why you would be a good fit for the Morrill Scholarship Program. Your essay should show that your interests align with the interests and goals of the program. You want to write a clear, detailed, descriptive essay with no spelling or grammar errors. Finally, you want to demonstrate your personality and passions to admissions officers, expanding on the rest of your Common Application to prove that you belong in the Morrill Scholarship Program.

You also want to make sure that your response to this OSU application essay falls within the desired parameters: between 350 and 500 words. You don’t want your OSU special scholarship essay to be either too short or too long. Since this length is just a bit shorter than the Common Application Personal essay, you should be prepared to spend a similar amount of time on this essay as on your Common App essay.

OSU Essay Guide — Final Thoughts

Completing the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay question can seem daunting. However, don’t let that discourage you from applying to the prestigious Morrill Scholarship Program. The OSU Morrill Scholarship essay is a great scholarship opportunity for well-rounded students looking to focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Your answer to the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay stands apart from your overall OSU application. This means that a weak Morrill Scholarship Program application essay isn’t likely to affect your overall chances of admission to OSU. However, if you are interested in the Morrill Scholarship Program, don’t take the chance that your stellar GPA and test scores will bolster a weak essay. In other words, this competitive scholarship program attracts students with higher-than-average GPAs and test scores. Start earlier than you think you should, and use this guide as a step-by-step aid when approaching the OSU special scholarship essay. Don’t be afraid to ask for revisions from someone; it’s helpful to have another set of eyes checking your OSU special scholarship essay for grammatical errors, tone, and clarity. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on OSU was written by  Laura Frustaci , Harvard ‘21. This guide to the Morrill Scholarship OSU application essay shows you exactly how to write an engaging essay for your OSU Morrill Scholarship application and maximize your chances of admission into the Morrill Scholarship Program. For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources,  click here .

Want help crafting your OSU Morrill Scholarship essay? Create your  free account  or  schedule a free advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP)

Jul 5, 2023 • knowledge, information.

The Morrill Scholarship Program is offered through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and seeks to reward leadership and academic excellence through diversity. Learn more at odi.osu.edu . Applicants who submit the Common Application and all required materials (test scores, transcripts, etc.) by November 1 will receive priority consideration for this program. Note: you must complete the MSP essay prompt in the Writing Supplement

The Orange Grove

Morrill Scholarship Program Guide: Navigating Your Way to Success

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) at The Ohio State University represents a significant commitment to diversity and academic excellence on campus. Recognized as one of the foremost scholarships that the university offers, the MSP provides an enriching path for academically talented students with an active engagement in fostering diversity, leadership, service, and social justice activities. It’s designed not only to alleviate the financial burden for students but also to create a vibrant, inclusive community that brings together individuals from various backgrounds and disciplines.

Administered by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), the Morrill Scholarship Program is more than a financial award; it’s a comprehensive educational experience. Students who become Morrill Scholars are involved in an array of programmatic offerings that strengthen their leadership skills, social justice awareness, and service commitments. Moreover, as scholarship recipients, these students have access to a supportive network that cultivates their personal growth and academic success throughout their undergraduate tenure at OSU.

Key Takeaways

• The Morrill Scholarship promotes diversity and academic achievement at The Ohio State University.
• A comprehensive experience, the MSP includes leadership development and community involvement.
• Morrill Scholars are supported through their academic journey with a network dedicated to their success.

Overview of the Morrill Scholarship

The Morrill Scholarship Program distinguishes itself at The Ohio State University as a beacon of academic excellence and commitment to diversity, leadership, and service. It opens doors for Morrill Scholars to engage with a community that values inclusion and social justice.

Program Origins

The Morrill Scholarship Program was established in honor of the Morrill Act of 1862, which helped create land-grant universities. It reflects a commitment to educational opportunity and an acknowledgement of the importance of diverse perspectives in academic environments.

Program Goals

The goals of the program are multi-faceted; it aims to reward academically talented students who demonstrate an active engagement in activities related to diversity-based leadership, social justice, and service. The program seeks to foster scholarly success while simultaneously preparing students to serve as leaders in a diverse society.

Eligibility Criteria

The Morrill Scholarship Program at Ohio State University sets specific eligibility criteria to ensure that scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit strong academic talents and a commitment to diversity and leadership. Understanding these criteria is critical for applicants looking to secure financial support for their education.

Applicant Qualifications

U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents who are high school seniors at the time of application may apply. The strongest candidates are those who are academically talented students with a demonstrable record of engagement in activities promoting diversity, leadership, social justice, and service.

• Academic Excellence : Applicants must exhibit high academic achievement in their high school studies.
• Leadership and Diversity Involvement : A history of leadership roles, and active engagement in diversity-based service or social justice activities is required.

Residency Requirements

Although the scholarship is aimed at increasing diversity at Ohio State University , there are no explicit residency restrictions mentioned for the Morrill Scholarship Program. However, applicants must be planning to enroll at the Columbus campus as incoming freshmen. It is assumed that successful candidates will demonstrate a desire to contribute to the OSU community and engage with peers from varied backgrounds.

• Campus Enrollment : Admittance to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester after graduating from high school is a necessity.
• Community Engagement : A willingness to participate in university life and uphold the values of the Morrill Scholarship Program.

Application Process

The application process for the Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) at The Ohio State University is detailed and requires careful attention to deadlines and requirements. Prospective students must complete specific steps, including the submission of an essay, to be considered for this prestigious diversity and merit-based award.

Application Steps

To be eligible for the Morrill Scholarship Program, applicants must:

• Early Action Deadline : Applying before the early action deadline is recommended for priority consideration.
• Complete the MSP Essay : This essay is an integral part of the application and demonstrates the student’s leadership and commitment to diversity.

Essay Submission

The essay component of the MSP application allows students to showcase their engagement with diversity-based leadership, social justice, and service activities:

• Essay Requirements : Candidates must write a single essay of 350-500 words as part of their MSP application .
• Contents of the Essay : The essay should highlight the applicant’s leadership experiences and involvement in diversity-related activities.

Applicants should adhere to the provided guidelines and submit their essays through the Common Application to ensure their applications are reviewed.

Selection Criteria

The Morrill Scholarship Program at The Ohio State University honors students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and a strong commitment to diversity-based leadership and service. The selection process is competitive, focusing on a candidate’s merit as well as their dedication to social justice and leadership activities.

Merit Evaluation

The first phase of the selection criteria involves evaluating a student’s academic performance . The selection committee looks for candidates who have not only achieved high grades but also those who have taken rigorous courses pertinent to their interests and academic goals. An applicant’s standardized test scores, when available, also play a part in this assessment. The goal is to identify individuals who stand out for their scholarly achievements and intellectual promise.

Leadership and Service Assessment

The second phase scrutinizes the applicant’s leadership skills and their involvement in diversity-based leadership and service initiatives. Candidates must exhibit a passion for social justice through their participation in community service or leadership roles that promote diversity and inclusion. This could include organizing cultural events, leading community initiatives, or volunteering with organizations that focus on empowering underrepresented groups. The Morrill Scholarship Program seeks out those who not only serve but lead in their efforts to enrich the community.

The candidates’ experiences are compared on a competitive basis , ensuring that the selected scholars are amongst the most dedicated and impactful in their contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Scholarship Benefits

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) at The Ohio State University offers substantial benefits to its recipients, impacting both the affordability of higher education and providing enriching extracurricular experiences.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The MSP is recognized as Ohio State’s premier diversity/merit scholarship program , offering aid that reduces or completely covers the cost of tuition. Recipients may receive different levels of support, which can range from a partial to a full tuition benefit. Importantly, this program may also include a waiver for the nonresident surcharge , significantly lowering the cost of attendance for out-of-state students. Adequate financial aid through MSP minimizes the need for loans, enabling scholars to graduate with less debt.

Additional Opportunities

Beyond financial aid, MSP scholars gain access to educational enrichment opportunities that contribute to their personal and academic growth. Students are encouraged to partake in diverse leadership, social justice, and service activities – cornerstones of the Morrill Scholarship. These experiential learning components are designed to prepare students for a lifetime of advocacy and involvement, further enhancing the merit of the scholarship.

Program Structure

The Morrill Scholarship Program at The Ohio State University nurtures academic excellence in a framework designed for diversity and leadership. Its structure facilitates a cohesive educational experience through unique learning communities and program integration.

MSP Learning Community

The MSP Learning Community stands at the core of the Morrill Scholarship Program, preparing students to become advocates for social justice and leaders in their respective fields. Participants are typically required to live and learn together, partake in specialized coursework, and take part in programs focused on cultural competency and community engagement. The structure of the learning community is intended to foster a supportive environment for scholars throughout their tenure at the university.

Honors and Scholars Program Integration

The Morrill Scholarship Program is intricately integrated with the University Honors Program , aiming for a symbiotic relationship that enhances academic rigor for the scholars. These scholars benefit from the alignment with the Honors program by gaining access to smaller class sizes, specialized honors coursework, and a community that emphasizes scholastic achievement and full-time enrollment—a commitment of at least 12 credit hours per semester to maintain scholarship eligibility. This integration helps shape well-rounded graduates equipped with a multifaceted university experience.

Campus Life and Involvement

The Morrill Scholarship Program at Ohio State University not only offers scholarship opportunities but also encourages extensive engagement in diversity and leadership activities on campus, fostering a rich and active community life for its scholars.

Diversity and Advocacy Initiatives

Ohio State University’s commitment to campus diversity is evident through its range of diversity and inclusion initiatives that provide platforms for scholars to become advocates for social change. Morrill Scholars are known to actively participate in programs that champion diversity and engage in multicultural programming. These activities often involve collaborations with various offices such as the Office of Diversity and Inclusion .

• Multicultural workshops
• Diversity and social justice education

Leadership and Community Engagement

Leadership and community engagement are cornerstones of the Morrill Scholarship Program, with a clear emphasis on civic engagement. Scholars are expected to engage in leadership roles, both in campus organizations and through service activities that contribute to the well-being of the community. These opportunities help in developing and showcasing their leadership skills while making tangible contributions to society.

• Student organizations
• Volunteer projects

Morrill Scholars often become integral members of various groups and lead civic initiatives, reinforcing the values of the Morrill Scholarship Program and its mission to cultivate socially responsible leaders.

Outcomes and Impact

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) at The Ohio State University has a profound impact on the community and the success of its students. It contributes significantly to the culture of diversity and excellence on the Columbus campus, enabling scholars to achieve distinction and prominence in their academic and professional endeavors.

Success Stories of Morrill Scholars

Many Morrill Scholars have gone on to achieve remarkable success in various fields, from academics to community service. They typically demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to social justice, which often continues beyond their tenure at the university. For example, a recent MSP graduate credited the program with providing the resources and network that helped launch a successful community-based non-profit organization. These individual accomplishments reflect positively on the MSP and underscore its role in nurturing socially responsible leaders.

Contribution to University Excellence

The presence of Morrill Scholars on campus enriches the educational environment for all students. The MSP’s focus on diversity-based leadership and service directly contributes to the university’s mission of fostering inclusive excellence. Through academic achievements and active engagement in the Columbus campus community, Morrill Scholars help to raise the institution’s stature. Their drive for success and contribution to a vibrant, diverse community stands as a testament to the positive outcomes of the Morrill Scholarship Program.

Important Dates and Deadlines

When applying for the Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) at The Ohio State University, it is essential for prospective students to keep track of critical dates and deadlines. The MSP offers opportunities to students who are involved in diversity-based leadership, social justice, and service.

Application Deadline for MSP: Prospective students should ensure that they submit the MSP essay and complete their application by the stipulated deadline. This includes the inclusion of leadership and diversity involvement on the Activity List section of the Common Application.

Autumn Semester Admission: The Morrill Scholarship is awarded to students admitted to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester following their high school graduation.

Applicants should refer to the MSP’s official website for the most current and accurate deadlines, as these can be subject to change. It is the responsibility of each applicant to confirm these dates and ensure all materials are submitted accordingly. Achieving consideration for the Morrill Scholarship Program aligns with The Ohio State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s goals to foster the academic success of its students through scholarships and comprehensive support.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) offers academically talented students opportunities based on their engagement in diversity and leadership activities.

What is the acceptance rate for the Morrill Scholarship?

The acceptance rate for the Morrill Scholarship is not publicly disclosed by The Ohio State University. Applicants are selected based on a holistic review of their academic prowess and diversity-related activities.

How are winners of the Morrill Scholarship determined?

Winners of the Morrill Scholarship are determined through an evaluation of their completed MSP essay, leadership qualities, and active involvement in diversity-based initiatives as detailed on their Activity List submitted through the Common Application.

When are the results for the OSU Morrill Scholarship announced?

The announcement date for the results of the OSU Morrill Scholarship varies each year. Candidates should expect notifications to align with the broader timeline of college acceptance and financial aid packages.

Can you provide a sample essay prompt for the Morrill Scholarship application?

A sample essay prompt for the Morrill Scholarship may ask applicants to discuss their experiences with diversity and inclusion, and how they plan to contribute to these efforts at The Ohio State University. Specific prompts should be checked on the OSU application portal.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Morrill Scholarship?

Eligibility for the Morrill Scholarship requires applicants to demonstrate a strong academic record and a commitment to diversity, leadership, and service. The detailed requirements can be specific to the application year and should be verified directly with MSP resources.

What is the monetary value awarded through the Morrill Scholarship Program?

The monetary value of the Morrill Scholarship varies; it can range from partial to full tuition coverage. The exact amount awarded to Morrill Scholars is dependent on the level of the scholarship granted and individual financial needs.

Helpful Resources

Navigating the scholarship landscape can often be overwhelming, but there's no need to go through it alone. Scholarship Owl offers a supportive platform that can help simplify your search by matching you with scholarships suited to your unique situation. By consolidating numerous scholarship opportunities into one place, it provides a significant time-saving benefit, allowing you to focus more on your studies and less on the search. If you're looking to streamline the scholarship application process, Scholarship Owl may be a valuable tool in your educational journey.

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Morrill Scholarship Program empowers Ohio State Students

With roots in Black students' activism, one of Ohio State's most prestigious merit-based scholarships goes beyond academics to empower students to advocate for social justice. 

The Morrill Scholarship Program’s origins trace back to Ohio State students’ activism in the 1960s says Director Robert Decatur. “Black students made demands from the administration, including the formation of an Office of Minority Affairs, creation of a Black Studies department and an increase in the number of Black students on campus,” he says. 

Under the leadership of Vice Provost of Minority Affairs Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr ., the Office of Minority Affairs—now the Office of Diversity and Inclusion—became home to the Minority Scholarship Program in 1982 and helped to increase recruitment of Black and Latinx students on campus. In 2003, following a lawsuit concerning the University of Michigan Law School’s affirmative action policies that went all the way to the Supreme Court, Ohio State proactively changed the program’s name to the Morrill Scholarship Program in honor of the Morrill Act of 1862 that led to Ohio State’s founding.

Through the years, the program has expanded to become more inclusive, opening the door to first-generation and Indigenous students and other students of color. Based on feedback from students, it has evolved over time to take on the expanded social justice focus with what has become its signature programming for student development.

Today, Morrill Scholars are welcomed to campus with early arrival programming and join one of seven themed, student-led teams. Throughout their time at Ohio State, they hone their leadership skills, give back through community service, receive one-on-one mentoring and more. Beginning spring semester 2021, they will also have the opportunity to enroll in “Diversity, Service and Social Justice: A Blueprint for Dynamic Leadership,” the first for-credit course specifically for Morrill Scholars, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Among the 1,500 current Morrill Scholars, Kayah Woodford ’23 and Austin Smith ’24 exemplify the advocacy and social justice impact the program’s community-minded activists are having across the world. During the summer of 2020, they led a Black Lives Matter protest of more than 1,000 through their home community of Bexley, Ohio, a suburb east of Columbus where just 6 percent of the 13,000 residents are Black. In addition to the protest, they worked to address racial inequities that they experienced within Bexley’s school system.

Graduates of the Morrill Scholarship Program have gone on to become nonprofit and civic leaders, scientists and more. Two of Ohio State’s eight Rhodes Scholars have been Morrill Scholars. In the 2020-21 academic year, Morrill Scholars Roaya Higazi ’21 and Caleb Hineman ’24 are serving as Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president, respectively.

With its generous scholarship award and social justice-focused programming, the program is helping the university recruit and retain some of the nation’s highest-performing students from diverse backgrounds. Morrill Scholars’ first-year retention rate is 98 percent, and their six-year graduation rate is 90 percent. Eighty percent of Morrill Scholars are also in the university’s Honors & Scholars program, and over 50 percent earn a place on the dean’s list each semester. In 2020, the program won Ohio State’s Distinguished Diversity Award; the Education Advocacy in Higher Education Award from Central Ohio’s Social Justice Awards; and the Columbus Business First Diversity in Business Award for Outstanding Diversity Organization.  

“Our students are heavily recruited by the Ivy League system and other top schools, and many end up coming to Ohio State because of the social justice focus,” says Decatur. “It’s very alluring to our students because they’re already doing great things in their communities.”

Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP)

Jul 5, 2023 • knowledge, information.

The Morrill Scholarship Program is offered through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and seeks to reward leadership and academic excellence through diversity. Learn more at odi.osu.edu . Applicants who submit the Common Application and all required materials (test scores, transcripts, etc.) by November 1 will receive priority consideration for this program. Note: you must complete the MSP essay prompt in the Writing Supplement

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Morrill Scholarship Essay for OSU

micaredi 1 / 2   Nov 29, 2009   #1 Here is the link to the prompt" 26866a52b05332f6335894de1aa50843cd2cfcef.gripelements.com/pdf/MSP/essay1.pdf Talk show host and author, Montel Williams, once said "no one tells every white person in this country how to be. No one tells every Hispanic or Asian or Jewish person in this country how to be. There is no single definition of whiteness or single definition of blackness". I am the product of a single parent household. I grew up in the North Central area of Columbus. Statistically and stereotypically, I am more likely than my counterparts to be less educated and more violent. My life has been an active stand against these stereotypes prompted by the infamous "Moynihan Report" and other scholarly resources by defining my own brand of blackness that would contribute to diversity at the Ohio State University. My socio-economic background has influence my life because I grew up in a family that embodies middle-class values and the American Dream. My family is only 4 generations removed from slavery but in those 4 generations has produced doctors, professors, and entrepreneurs. This is due to my grandfather's commitment to his eight children's educations. At some points, he would work 3 jobs to make sure that all 8 of his children could go to college. He used typical middle class values to uplift himself and his family. These values were passed onto my mother who in turn passed off this legacy of hard work and value in education to me. I feel as if this value is present in the University but I could contribute with my family and mine's diverse experiences. Due to my commitment to my education, throughout my life I have always been deemed as "not black enough" or faced even harsher criticisms of my blackness. I receive this because I went to private school for elementary and middle school instruction surrounded by primarily white students and all white teachers. I also try to speak proper English and avoid slang. I am also politically ostracized because of libertarian ideals. Law professor, Stephen Carter, makes the egregious claim that "there are no black conservatives. There are neoconservatives with black skin, but they lack any claim to blackness other than the biological. They have forgotten their roots." I may not be a conservative but the fact that he would try to lump all blacks as being one political ideology is heinous. Despite the ostracism I receive from my community, it has only influenced me to try to help it. Due to my mother's job as Director of Community Development at the Ohio State University, I have been exposed to many different cultures and circumstances. I realized that this essay is supposed to be how my own cultural and socio-economic background as influenced my life but as I have come in contact with many other cultures, faiths, and beliefs. I have incorporated them into who I am. Due to the spirit of multiculturalism I have gained because of my mother's work; I have opportunities to broaden my horizons and see how to view other cultures view their history. By seeing how different societies view their history, it caused me to become more interested in my family history as well as the history of Black America which influenced my interest in helping to strengthen the African-American nation. Through the Morrill Scholarship Program, I could contribute my spirit of multiculturalism to Ohio State. I was able to actively be involved with strengthening my community through an internship at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University. This research environment that the University provided me combined with my drive to help my community provided my life with a new direction. While I was there and afterwards, I knew that my place was in an academic atmosphere facilitating change through policy research. While I was there, I studied digital inequities in 4 Central Ohio middle schools. The preliminary research was suggesting that gap was less of an access one and more of a usage one. This valuable research experience provided me with a unique perspective by changing how I perceive my own cultural background and what I could do to promote diversity and help my community. My selection as a Morrill Scholarship Program scholar would enhance diversity at the Ohio State University because I throughout my life I have been exposed to different cultures and ideas and much like a sponge. I have incorporated them into my life. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "at bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time." I am unique in the sense that I have to define myself because I am not enough "black enough" to be black. Despite the fact that I have been ostracized by my peers, I have demonstrated to be committed to my cultural background and preservation of it. In conclusion, my selection would allow me to better myself, contribute to the diversity of Ohio State, and eventually use the education that I would receive from OSU to give back to my community.

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What is The Morrill Scholarship Program?

MSP provides merit scholarships to incoming first-year students throughout Ohio and the United States while in the process, enhancing Ohio State's diversity.

Future Students

The Morrill Scholarship has three award levels:

Distinction: Equals the value of the cost of attendance for both Ohio residents and nonresidents

Prominence: Equals the value of in-state tuition plus the nonresident surcharge for nonresidents

Excellence: Equals the value of in-state tuition for Ohio residents

*All Scholarships are renewable for eight semesters

Eligibility criteria One of Ohio State's premier scholarship programs, the Morrill Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to students admitted to the Columbus campus for the autumn semester following high school graduation. MSP seeks academically talented high school seniors who will:

serve as student ambassadors and champions of scholarship and diversity

actively engage in diversity-based leadership, service, and social justice activities

Current Students

As social justice advocates, Morrill Scholars participate in civic engagement and advocacy activities/events across campus and in the broader community. Moreover, they assume various leadership roles on campus where they share their innovative ideas on diversity, equity, inclusion, and scholarship. MSP students participate in:

• Diversity and inclusion themed workshops, lectures, and service projects
• Graduate and professional school preparation courses and guidance
• Mentoring, tutoring, and supplemental instruction to support their academic success
• Morrill Scholars Early Arrival Program
• ODI outreach and engagement projects on campus and in the community
• ODI leadership, service, social justice, and financial literacy courses
• Optional housing in the MSP Learning Community in Blackburn House
• Service trips and global education opportunities
• Paid summer internships

University Honors & Scholars Many Morrill Scholarship recipients are also University Honors and Scholars students. The Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP) is separate from the University Honors and Scholars Center at Ohio State; nevertheless, Morrill Scholars are permitted to participate in programs connected to the University Honors and Scholars Center.

Learn more about the University Honors Program and the 17 theme-based Scholars Programs .

Have questions?

If you have any questions about MSP, please send an email to [email protected] .