Each applicant is required to submit a Scholarship Application Essay. This is a two-page, double-spaced paper, which cannot be handwritten. Submit your essay by uploading a text file with your other materials. Your essay should be written and edited by you. RSPA will review all essays for potential use of AI and other writing tools as a substitute for the student’s original work.
Please choose one of the following topics below for your essay:
- It seems that everyone is talking about AI (artificial intelligence). Like most things, it has good and bad elements. On the plus side, AI provides huge amounts of information in an extremely short time. Also, it is easy to use by anyone who has the use of a computer. On the negative side, it can be misused. Students can use it to write papers and pass them off as their own work. Some might think that they would like that. Clearly, however, the students don’t learn anything. In addition, sometimes the information is inaccurate or incomplete. It might not tell both sides of a story. In your essay, decide if AI is good or bad. You may also discuss other issues related to AI. Please write it yourself!
- Regardless of politics, we can all agree that we need to be kind to the earth. Discuss ways we can address this problem either personally, as a group or as a country. If you don’t believe there is a problem, take that position and explain and defend your position.
TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION:
The essay should show original and serious thinking on the part of the applicant and should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to express those thoughts clearly and accurately. A third page may be added to cite sources if quotes, purported facts, etc. are used. The essay should be coherent; it should have a clear beginning, middle and end. Begin by introducing the topic and set forth the boundaries of the subject. Do not be vague or too expansive. Instead, be specific and well-disciplined. You may want to follow these steps in preparing your essay:
Outline your essay. Write a rough draft and review it by asking yourself such questions as: Is it clear? Are questions raised by this essay left unanswered? Is the topic clearly defined? Are the ideas well developed? Are the ideas concrete?
Finalize your essay, asking yourself these questions: Is this precise or too general? Is it concise or does it ramble? Have I used grammar properly? Is this essay persuasive? Are the quotes accurate? Are the facts valid? Are my thoughts and conclusions well organized?
