What scholarship judges DON'T want to see
We've spent three weeks revealing what scholarship judges look for (Link to Post 2): complete applications that follow directions, thoughtful and polished responses, and authentic stories that demonstrate resilience and alignment with organizational values.
Now let's talk about the flip side—the red flags that make judges cringe and applications land in the rejection pile.
Understanding what turns judges off is just as important as knowing what impresses them. Sometimes avoiding mistakes matters more than achieving perfection.
The generic essay (also known as the recycled special)
The fastest way to be forgotten is to submit an essay that could apply to any scholarship with a simple find-and-replace. Judges can spot recycled, one-size-fits-all responses immediately—and it tells them you're not genuinely interested in their specific program.
Red flags of generic essays:
No mention of the scholarship organization by name
Zero reference to their mission, values, or community
Could be submitted to 20 different scholarships without changes
Vague statements about education being important
No specific connection between your story and their purpose
What this signals to judges: "This applicant doesn't really care about our organization specifically. We're just one of many applications they're mass-producing. They haven't invested time in understanding who we are or why we exist."
How to fix it: Each scholarship deserves a tailored response that speaks directly to its unique mission and criteria. For Woman of Wonder, that means:
Acknowledging you're a single mom, were raised by a single parent, or are funding college independently
Explaining why support from Southwest Washington women matters to you
Showing you understand our commitment to grit and determination
Demonstrating alignment with our community-focused values
Yes, this takes more time. That's exactly the point. Investment shows genuine interest.
Part 5 of a 7-part series on winning scholarships
What judges don’t want to see. Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust.
Survival tip: Don't submit documents judges haven't asked for
“If the application doesn’t ask for transcripts, don’t attach them—no matter how awesome your grades are. Extra materials suggest you can’t follow directions, and judges won’t read them anyway. Stick to what’s requested.”
Embellishment or dishonesty
Don't inflate your achievements or fabricate experiences. For local scholarships, especially—like Woman of Wonder serving Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties—judges often know your community or school, making it easy to verify information.
More importantly, authentic stories are always more compelling than overblown ones. Judges want the real you, not who you think they want you to be.
Examples of unnecessary embellishment:
Claiming volunteer hours you didn't complete
Exaggerating leadership roles or responsibilities
Inflating GPA or test scores (yes, judges verify)
Making up hardships or circumstances
Listing activities you barely participated in
The truth: You are enough. Your real story, told honestly, is more powerful than any fabrication.
What judges notice: Letters of recommendation that don't align with your claims, timelines that don't make sense, or accomplishments that seem too good to be true. Inconsistencies raise immediate red flags.
If you're caught being dishonest, you won't just lose this scholarship—your reputation with the organization is permanently damaged.
Overly complex language (trying too hard to sound smart)
Some applicants try to impress judges by using elaborate vocabulary or convoluted sentence structures. This usually backfires. Judges want to understand your message easily—not decode it.
Clear, concise writing always wins over unnecessarily complex prose. If you wouldn't naturally use a word in conversation, don't force it into your essay.
Overly complex example: "My propensity for altruistic endeavors has facilitated numerous opportunities for communal amelioration, thereby engendering a profound appreciation for collective societal advancement."
Clear, effective version: "Volunteering in my community has taught me that small actions create meaningful change when we work together."
The guideline: Write like you're explaining your story to a friend's mom over coffee—respectful, genuine, and clear. Use your natural voice elevated for a professional audience, not a thesaurus.
Clichés and overused phrases
Phrases like "Ever since I was a child..." or "Education is the key to success" are so common they've lost all meaning. Judges read these lines hundreds of times each review cycle. Original phrasing and fresh perspectives make you memorable.
Overused phrases that make judges tune out:
"Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of..."
"Education is the key to success."
"I want to make a difference in the world."
"This scholarship will help me achieve my dreams."
"I'm a hard worker who never gives up."
Why these fail: They're not wrong, but they're not specific to you. Anyone could say them. They don't reveal your unique experiences, motivations, or character.
How to avoid clichés: Start with the cliché if it helps you begin writing, then push yourself to add specific details that make it yours:
Instead of "I've always wanted to help people," try: "The first time I helped my neighbor translate medical documents from Spanish to English, I realized communication barriers prevent people from accessing care they desperately need."
Instead of "Education is important," try: "Watching my daughter learn to read reminded me why I'm fighting to finish my own degree—I want her to see that it's never too late to chase what matters."
Excuses and negativity
While it's important to acknowledge challenges, don't use your essay to make excuses for poor grades or lack of activities. Frame everything positively, focusing on growth, resilience, and lessons learned rather than complaints or blame.
Less effective approach: "I had to work full-time while attending school, which is why my grades aren't great. It wasn't fair that I had to do this while other students just focused on classes."
More effective approach: "Balancing full-time work with full-time coursework at Clark College taught me time management skills I never knew I needed. While my GPA doesn't reflect straight A's, it represents every paper written after closing shifts and every exam taken on four hours of sleep—and I'm proud of that resilience."
The difference: Both acknowledge the same challenge, but the second version emphasizes what you gained rather than what you lacked. You're demonstrating strength, not asking for sympathy.
Ignoring word counts or format requirements
Exceeding word limits signals that you either can't follow directions or don't respect the committee's guidelines. Submitting in the wrong format suggests carelessness. These seemingly small violations can disqualify otherwise strong applications.
Why this matters:
Word limits exist for fairness—everyone gets the same space to make their case
Format requirements ensure judges can easily read and compare applications
Following guidelines demonstrates attention to detail
Respecting boundaries shows maturity and professionalism
Application tip: If the prompt asks for 500 words, aim for 475-500. If it requires PDF format, don't submit a Word document. If it specifies double-spaced, don't single-space to fit more content. Following directions perfectly is the easiest way to show respect.
Limiting your use of AI
While AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming or organizing your thoughts, your scholarship essay must ultimately reflect your own voice, experiences, and perspective. Judges are looking for authenticity and originality—qualities that AI can't replicate.
How to use AI responsibly:
Use it to generate topic ideas or overcome writer's block
Ask it to help organize your thoughts or create an outline
Request feedback on structure or clarity
What not to do:
Submit unedited AI-generated content
Let AI write your personal story
Use AI to inflate language or make you sound "smarter"
Rely on AI to answer prompts without adding your own experiences
Why judges notice: AI-generated content often lacks emotional depth, uses generic phrasing, and doesn't include the specific details that make your story uniquely yours. Judges who read hundreds of essays can spot the difference between authentic voice and artificial writing.
The rule: If AI wrote more than 10% of your final essay, you've relied on it too much.
Don't submit documents judges didn't ask for
If the application doesn't ask for your transcripts, don't attach them—even if your grades are awesome. If they didn't request additional essays, don't include them. Sending unrequested materials can signal that you can't read or follow directions.
Why this matters:
Judges have specific evaluation criteria and requested materials support that framework
Extra documents clutter applications and waste judges' time
It suggests you think rules don't apply to you
No one is going to read unrequested materials anyway
What to do if you really want to include something not requested: Email the scholarship organization and ask: "I have [additional information] that I believe supports my application. Would the committee like me to include this, or should I follow the stated requirements only?"
Most will tell you to stick to requirements. Respect that answer.
Your action steps for this week
Action step 1: Review your essay for generic language
Read through your entire application with this question: "Could someone else submit this exact essay to a different scholarship?" If yes, add specific details that connect your story to Woman of Wonder's mission and Southwest Washington community.
Action step 2: Check for clichés
Highlight any phrase that sounds familiar or overused. Then rewrite it with specific details from your life. Turn general statements into vivid examples.
Action step 3: Verify honesty and accuracy
Double-check every fact, date, and claim in your application. If you can't back it up with evidence or examples, remove it or revise it to accurately reflect your experience.
Action step 4: Simplify complex language
Read your essay aloud. If you stumble over words or sentence structures, simplify them. If a sentence takes three reads to understand, rewrite it more clearly.
Action step 5: Remove negativity and excuses
Search for phrases like "I had to," "It wasn't fair," or "because of [obstacle]." Reframe these to emphasize what you learned, how you grew, or what strengths you developed.
Next week: Qualities that make you stand out
We've covered what judges don't want to see. Next week, we're revealing the positive qualities that make applicants truly memorable—passion, clear goals, demonstrated growth, connection to community, and the art of compelling storytelling.
Next Sunday: Qualities that make you stand out
About Woman of Wonder
We're looking for authentic stories, genuine resilience, and clear goals—not perfection. Applications open January 1. Learn what we're really looking for.
Oh, we threw an extra blog post (or three) in the mix with more tips
Bonus 1 - Tips for submitting successful scholarship applications
Bonus 2 - Options to reduce the cost of college tuition
Bonus 3 - Your biggest obstacle becomes your greatest strength