Klarke Bradwell Class of 2029 - Developing scholarship applications and essays (4 points)

Over my winter break, I began outlining my goals for 2026 and developing plans to achieve them. One of my primary goals was to attend college debt-free by securing outside scholarships. I decided to apply for a local scholarship for undergraduate students from an organization that had previously awarded me a scholarship. This organization emphasizes the balance between community service and academics, which had a significant impact on how I developed my application. I had to reflect on my experience at Spelman, as well as the impact of the organization’s scholarships on my college experience. 

It began with the organization’s annual Fashion Show, where scholarship recipients were invited to participate and be acknowledged for their efforts. I was put in a room with changemakers and felt truly celebrated. I still think about walking across the stage and the sense of confidence I felt. Once I arrived at Spelman College, I began to experience the impacts on my education. This scholarship made attending college accessible and allowed me to focus on my academics. I thoroughly enjoyed all of my classes and was able to take valuable lessons from each one, securing all A’s for my first semester. Additionally, I was able to begin conducting research with Spelman’s Innovation Lab to develop a game for incoming freshmen. Not having to worry about how to pay for college allowed me to gain immense opportunities and knowledge in my first semester of college.

Both Spelman and this scholarship had a profound impact on my development as a young woman, providing me with unique opportunities to make a difference in the world. I was able to see how my involvement on campus altered my experience. Developing my application allowed me to reflect on these experiences and feel immense gratitude. I expressed these feelings in the application essay, where I had to detail how a scholarship from this organization would help me achieve my goals. I detailed how they have been a pivotal part of my college experience, beyond the monetary aspects. I am grateful that this application provided me the opportunity to reflect on my first semester of college and see how far I have come.

By: Klarke Bradwell