Scholarship and Service
Since its inception in 2004, Perry Service Learning students have used their service experiences to support their college and career goals. Our alumni have received prominent national and community scholarships that help fund their posts-secondary goals, and have often been selected by their chosen colleges because of their rich service histories.
We feel confident that all of our students deserve to be recognized for their commitment to our community. This learning module will afford you the opportunity to reflect on your service experiences, and craft a narrative that will help support your future plans. This narrative assignment can be tailored to college application essays, scholarship essays, and personal statements. Option 1 - Scholarship Essays |
Write a narrative that you can use to complete one (1) scholarship essay. You may choose from the list below, or find another application/essay that best meet your post-secondary goals. Consider reading the US News and World Report blog as part of your pre-writing process.
Option 2 - College Application Essays
To help facilitate your college application process, you may choose to complete a narrative that you can use as part of your application. You are welcome to select one of the Common Application prompts listed below, or find another prompt that best meets your post secondary goals. Consider reading Time Magazine's The Tricky Secret to Successful College Essays and the Seven Effective Application Essay Tips from Peterson's as part of your pre-writing process.
2016-2017 Common Application Essay Prompts
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Option 3 - Personal Statement
Unsure of your college and career plans at this time? You may choose to write a Personal Statement that can be used when applying for jobs, engaging in an interview, or building a portfolio. Consider reading What is a Personal Statement and Six Tips for Writing Great Personal Statements as part of your pre-writing process.
Your personal statement is a narrative essay that should address the following questions (as excerpted from What is a Personal Statement):
Your personal statement is a narrative essay that should address the following questions (as excerpted from What is a Personal Statement):
- Who am I?
- Who do I want to be?
- What kind of contribution do I want to make, and how?
- Why is this the right place and opportunity? Is it consistent with your studies and activities to date? Draw connections.
Submission Timeline and Instructions
Monday, October 24th - Introduce mini-unit, and begin researching narrative options.
Wednesday, October 26th - Draft narrative essay in class. Meet with guidance counselors and LEAF advisor as necessary. Submit narrative essay draft to Turnitin by 8am on Friday, October 28th.
Friday, October 28th - Complete one peer evaluation and one self evaluation (using Turnitin) during class. Conference with Mr. Soeder or Trentanelli on draft, and complete revisions. Submit final draft of essay (Revision 1) to Turnitin by midnight on Monday, 10/31.
We will provide feedback by Friday, 11/4. You are welcome to continue working with us as long as you need to polish and perfect this essay, and any other college/scholarships essays!
Wednesday, October 26th - Draft narrative essay in class. Meet with guidance counselors and LEAF advisor as necessary. Submit narrative essay draft to Turnitin by 8am on Friday, October 28th.
Friday, October 28th - Complete one peer evaluation and one self evaluation (using Turnitin) during class. Conference with Mr. Soeder or Trentanelli on draft, and complete revisions. Submit final draft of essay (Revision 1) to Turnitin by midnight on Monday, 10/31.
We will provide feedback by Friday, 11/4. You are welcome to continue working with us as long as you need to polish and perfect this essay, and any other college/scholarships essays!
Start writing, no matter. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on. Louis L'Amour
Additional Resources
The PHS Guidance Office updates the online scholarship list regularly. Check the link often to find opportunities that will help you fund your next steps in life!
Schedule time to meet with our guidance counselors Mrs. Kosloski and Mrs. Jonozzo, as well as your LEAF counselor Mrs. McKeon. They can assist you throughout the college application/scholarship process.
Schedule time to meet with our guidance counselors Mrs. Kosloski and Mrs. Jonozzo, as well as your LEAF counselor Mrs. McKeon. They can assist you throughout the college application/scholarship process.
Assessment
_____/ 4 Style/Mechanics The narrative utilizes clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience, and demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing.
_____/ 4 Content The narrative responds to the prompt using effective narrative techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
_____/4 Creativity The narrative uses precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or people.