<p>I’m applying for the Christina Hixson Opportunity Award Scholarship (1/2 tuition over 4 years). I’m beginning to write the essay and I have to few questions on what I should include/exclude to maximize my chances. Here are the requirements for the essay: </p>
<p>Self-Description Essay
Briefly explain (500 words or less) why you are deserving of this award specific to individual challenges and or financial hardship you have faced or will face in seeking a college education and your potential to succeed. Additionally, describe your preliminary goals for the future.</p>
<p>Please describe any unusual circumstances in your life, either personal or academic, through which you have shown unusual persistence, resilience, or strength of character.
What challenges of personal and/or financial hardship have you faced? How have you dealt with these challenges?
Why have you chosen Iowa State University? What skills do you possess that will make you a successful student and future graduate of Iowa State?
Describe any special talents, skills, or interests that distinguish you from your peers.</p>
<p>My family and I have faced hardships, personal and financial. The problem here is how to word it without it sounding like “I am such an amazing person with outstanding resilient character…blah blah blah” I don’t want to be like that, so many people have it 10000x worse than I ever did.</p>
<p>Background:
My father is an alcoholic who physically and emotionally abused his now ex wife and children. The child abuse I don’t think was severe, what he did to my mom was more substantial. The police and DHS were involved many times. Throughout this I have managed to maintain high grades (3.9) and have only missed a few days throughout my high school career due to illness.
Now my mother and I live in a humble basement and are in the process of applying for govt. assistance (food stamps etc.) She cooks at a gas station half time, doesn’t have any insurance with heart and dental issues and I just picked up a part time job at a pizza place.</p>
<p>I have not settled on Iowa State (looking at UNI as I plan to study business), it’s a top choice though. However, for my future plans, I am in the process of enlisting in the Air Force (either active or guard. I’m still figuring that out). I am unable to pay for college without the military and would really like to serve regardless of college benefits. However, if I am for some reason unable to join, I need every scholarship penny I can get!</p>
<p>So my question here is, should I mention my plans to join the Air Force in my essay seeing how if I get in I won’t need the scholarship because I would have 100% tuition paid? Unless I can apply the govt. tuition assistance to room and board. I don’t want to lie, but I also want to maximize my chances.</p>
<p>It is a half tuition award over 4 years and is awarded to one applicant for each county in Iowa.</p>