Qualities that make your application stand out
After reviewing hundreds of applications, scholarship judges consistently identify certain qualities that make applicants memorable. These aren't things you can fake or manufacture—they're authentic characteristics that shine through well-crafted applications.
We've covered what judges look for in three stages of review (Link to Post 2), how to separate your application from the pack (Link to Post 3), what happens in final selection (Link to Post 4), and what red flags to avoid (Link to Post 5). Now let's talk about the positive qualities that make scholarship committees excited to invest in your future.
1. Passion and enthusiasm
Judges gravitate toward applicants who clearly know what they want to achieve and can articulate why it's important to them. Passionate students are more likely to find their niche in college and make meaningful contributions to their fields.
Your enthusiasm should be genuine—not forced or superficial.
Less effective: "I'm passionate about nursing and really excited to pursue this field."
More effective: "The moment I held my newborn daughter in the NICU, watching nurses provide life-saving care with incredible compassion, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. Every class I take at Lower Columbia College brings me one step closer to being that person for other families in crisis."
What makes the second example work:
Specific moment that sparked the passion
Clear emotional connection to the field
Shows understanding of what the career actually involves
Connects personal experience to professional goals
How to demonstrate genuine passion:
Identify the moment or experience that ignited your interest
Explain what specifically attracts you to this field
Show you understand what the work actually involves (not just romanticized ideas)
Connect your passion to action you've already taken
Part 6 of a 7-part series on winning scholarships
Share your story in such a way that it will be easy to imagine. Birmingham Museums Trust.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Pro Tip: Compelling Storytelling is your friend. Facts and figures matter, but stories create emotional connections. Rather than listing accomplishments, weave them into narratives that reveal your character, values, and journey. Paint a word picture that the judges can imagine as they read your essay.
2. Clear goals and purpose
Vague aspirations like "I want to make a difference" don't say anything specific. Clear goals with actionable plans demonstrate maturity and direction.
Vague goal: "I want to get my degree and make a difference in the world."
Specific goal: "I'm pursuing my nursing degree at Clark College so I can specialize in pediatric care and eventually return to work at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Growing up in Vancouver, I watched my single mom struggle to find affordable pediatric care for my siblings. I want to be part of the solution—providing quality healthcare to families who can't afford private practice rates."
What makes the second example work:
Specific degree and institution
Clear specialty area
Defined career path
Connection to community and personal experience
Actionable plan (not just wishes)
How to articulate clear goals:
Name your specific degree and intended career
Explain where you plan to work or serve
Connect goals to personal experience or community needs
Show you've thought beyond "getting a degree"
3. Demonstrated growth
Judges love seeing evidence of personal growth. How have your experiences shaped who you are? What have you learned about yourself? How have you changed or matured?
Growth stories show self-awareness and capacity for continued development—exactly what colleges and scholarship committees want to see.
Example of demonstrated growth: "When I first started at WSU Vancouver, I struggled with asking for help. Growing up as the oldest child of a single mother, I'd always been the helper, never the one who needed help. Failing my first chemistry exam forced me to swallow my pride and attend tutoring sessions. That decision didn't just improve my grade—it taught me that asking for support isn't weakness. It's wisdom."
What makes this effective:
Identifies a specific challenge or failure
Explains the personal belief that needed to change
Shows concrete action taken
Articulates the lesson learned
Demonstrates maturity and self-awareness
How to show growth:
Identify a moment when you struggled or failed
Explain what you believed or how you behaved before
Describe what changed your perspective
Share what you learned and how you're different now
4. Connection to community
Whether through volunteer work, mentorship, family responsibilities, or part-time employment, showing that you understand your role within your family and the larger Southwest Washington community resonates with judges.
You don't need 500 volunteer hours or leadership positions. Judges want to see genuine engagement with your community in whatever form makes sense for your life.
Examples of meaningful community connection:
"As a single mom working full-time at the Battle Ground Target, I don't have time for traditional volunteering. But I've made it my mission to be the employee who goes out of my way to help confused customers, especially elderly shoppers who struggle with self-checkout. Creating moments of kindness in everyday interactions is my form of community service."
"Every Sunday, I bring my kids to help at the Camas Community Garden. We spend two hours weeding, watering, and harvesting produce for the local food bank. My kids complain sometimes, but I want them to see that we give back even when resources are tight—especially when resources are tight."
What makes these effective:
Realistic for their life circumstances
Shows genuine care for community
Demonstrates values in action
Doesn't apologize for what they can't do
Focuses on impact, not hours logged
How to demonstrate community connection:
Be honest about what's realistic given your circumstances
Show consistent engagement, even if small-scale
Explain why this work matters to you personally
Connect it to your values or future goals
5. Humility and grace
Confidence is important, but arrogance is off-putting. The best applications balance pride in achievements with humility and gratitude.
Acknowledge those who've helped you along the way. Recognize that scholarship money represents someone else's generosity and investment in your future.
Arrogant approach: "I've achieved a 3.8 GPA while working full-time and raising my daughter, which proves I'm more capable than most students who have it easier."
Confident and humble approach: "I'm proud of my 3.8 GPA at Clark College, especially knowing I've earned it while working full-time and raising my daughter. I couldn't have done it without my mom watching my daughter during evening classes, my manager who works around my school schedule, and the professors who understood when childcare emergencies made me miss class. This scholarship would honor everyone who's helped me get this far."
What makes the second example work:
Acknowledges achievement without diminishing others
Recognizes people who've provided support
Shows gratitude and awareness
Frames scholarship as honoring a team effort, not just personal success
How to balance confidence and humility:
State your accomplishments clearly
Acknowledge challenges without using them as excuses
Thank specific people who've helped you
Show awareness that success is rarely solitary
Express genuine gratitude for opportunities, including the scholarship
6. Compelling storytelling
Facts and figures matter, but stories create emotional connections. Rather than listing accomplishments, weave them into narratives that reveal your character, values, and journey.
Paint a word picture that judges can imagine as they read your essay.
Listing approach: "I maintained a 3.5 GPA while working 30 hours per week, raising my daughter, and volunteering at the food bank."
Storytelling approach: "Saturday mornings follow the same routine: I drop my daughter at my mom's house by 7 AM, volunteer at the Clark County Food Bank from 8-11, then drive straight to my shift at Safeway. By the time I pick up my daughter at 6 PM, I've been awake for twelve hours. Sunday is for homework and meal prep for the week ahead. When people ask how I maintain a 3.5 GPA at Clark College while doing all this, I tell them the truth: I don't have another choice, and honestly, that makes the decision easier."
What makes the second example work:
Creates a vivid scene judges can visualize
Shows the reality of your schedule without complaining
Reveals character through action and choices
Includes authentic voice and perspective
Makes the same points but in a memorable way
How to tell compelling stories:
Choose specific moments instead of general summaries
Include sensory details (what you saw, felt, experienced)
Use your authentic voice (write like you talk)
Show your character through actions and choices
Connect the story to larger themes or lessons
Your action steps for this week
Action step 1: Identify your passion moment
Write about the specific moment or experience that ignited your interest in your field of study. Make judges feel what you felt when you knew this was your path.
Action step 2: Clarify your specific goals
Answer these questions in writing:
What degree are you pursuing? Where?
What career are you preparing for?
Where do you want to work after graduation?
Who will benefit from your education?
How does this connect to your community?
Action step 3: Tell a growth story
Identify one challenge or failure that changed you. Write about:
What happened
What you believed or how you behaved before
What changed your perspective
What you learned
How you're different now
Action step 4: Transform lists into stories
Find any place in your application where you've listed accomplishments. Rewrite at least one as a story with specific details, scenes, and your authentic voice.
Action step 5: Add gratitude and humility
Review your essay for places where you can acknowledge people who've helped you, express gratitude for opportunities, or demonstrate awareness that success is a team effort.
Next week: Your action plan for winning applications
We've covered what judges look for, what they don't want to see, and the qualities that make you memorable. Next week—our final post in this series—brings it all together with a comprehensive action plan for creating winning scholarship applications.
Next Sunday: Your action plan: Winning the judges over
Pro tip: Facts and figures matter, but stories create emotional connections
Rather than listing accomplishments, weave them into narratives that reveal your character, values, and journey. Paint a word picture that judges can imagine as they read your essay.
About Woman of Wonder
We're looking for women with clear goals, genuine passion, and compelling stories—not perfect GPAs or impressive résumés. Applications open January 1, 2026. Discover if this scholarship is right for you.
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