Why is it a bad idea to knock down others in a scholarship essay?
Knocking down others in a scholarship essay is a bad idea for several reasons. Scholarship essays are intended to give a glimpse into the applicant’s personal life, their goals, and ambitions, and the qualities they possess. Essays that focus on putting down others give the impression that the applicant is boastful or arrogant, which can be off–putting to the reader. Additionally, these essays may not accurately reflect the applicant’s true character or values. One of the primary goals of a scholarship essay is to provide insight into the applicant’s personality. The reader is looking for qualities such as ambition, resilience, and humility. When an applicant focuses on putting down others, they are sending the wrong message. Instead of demonstrating the traits the reader wants to see, the applicant is displaying a sense of superiority and arrogance. This can make the reader question the applicant’s true character and values. In addition to displaying a negative attitude, knocking down others in a scholarship essay can also be viewed as unprofessional. Scholarship essays are intended to be a reflection of the applicant’s best qualities, not an opportunity to criticize others. Anyone looking to apply for a scholarship should take the time to focus on displaying their own achievements and qualities. Finally, knocking down others in a scholarship essay can be viewed as a sign of immaturity. Scholarship essays are typically read by college admissions officers and professors, and they are looking for applicants who are mature and thoughtful. A scholarship essay that focuses solely on criticizing others indicates to the reader that the applicant is not ready for the academic and social challenges of college life. In conclusion, knocking down others in a scholarship essay is a bad idea for several reasons. Scholarship essays are intended to be a reflection of the applicant’s best qualities and values, and an essay that focuses on putting down others will give the wrong impression. Additionally, these essays may be viewed as unprofessional and a sign of immaturity. Instead of focusing on criticizing others, applicants should take the time to reflect on their own achievements and qualities. Doing so will make them stand out from the crowd and increase their chances of success.
For another perspective, we asked Judge Josh at Outlaw Student the same question — here’s what he said: https://www.outlawstudent.com/2008/03/dont-knock-your-peers/