Guidelines for Completing Section 3 of the Scholarship Application

COMPLETING PART IV OF THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION:

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A GOAL STATEMENT/ ESSAY A. Your Goal Statement/Essay must be typed, double spaced and written in paragraph form. B. Your Goal Statement/Essay must include all of the following points: (1) An introduction explaining who you are (2) Your Collegiate Plans – an explanation of what schools you are interested in attending & why (3) Your intended field of study & why. If you are undecided, then provide an explanation of what areas you would like to study once you enter college (4) Plans for after college graduation – career fields/areas, future educational advancement plans, and an explanation of how you will give back to society

FYI: Goals are described as broad aims, what you hope to achieve by attending college. Objectives are considered the steps or means that you will use to accomplish your goals. Objectives are short term and may often be adjusted.

The following is an example that only contains general statements. To be acceptable, your Goal Statement would need to have more details, be greatly expanded and contain specific personal information.

State Goal: My goal is to become a (Criminal Justice Professor, High School Teacher, etc) (If undecided) I am not sure at this time, I am interested in several fields, (explain).

Explain in detail the Objectives and paths that you think need to be taken or explored to achieve your goal. I plan to attend college for four years and secure a Bachelor’s Degree in (what) field of interest. (“Criminal Justice”). You might explain why you have this interest. While in College, I will engage in campus activities that would expand my general knowledge base and involvement, such as…. I will begin research to determine: job availability with a Bachelor’s Degree; additional study needed to reach goal; and which Graduate Schools offer the best Program for my field of interest. After graduating from College, I will obtain a job, (hopefully in my field or related to my field (“Criminal Justice System or Sociology or…”), to secure funds for living and for Graduate School. I will begin attending Graduate School part time to further pursue the study of my special field, “Criminal Justice” or…. Upon completion of Graduate School, I will begin looking for a job to satisfy my goal, (ex: teaching Criminal Justice at the college level). My community involvement….