2023 Renewal Essays
PCEF requires that each renewal applicant submit an essay. There is no word limit for the essays, please take the time to provide a well-thought-out response to your essay question, ensuring that you have answered the question thoroughly.
You don’t have to be the best writer to receive a scholarship award. Crafting a thoughtful and honest essay is possible if you take the time to reflect on how the essay question relates to you.
Remember to PROOFREAD! Make sure your essay is free of any grammatical or spelling errors.
After the scholarship Committee has approved your renewal application and you have submitted your thank you letter, YOUR ESSAY WILL BE SENT TO YOUR DONOR!
All essays MUST:
- Have Applicant's Full Name
- Include the Essay Prompt you are using to write your required essay - PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THIS!
- Be saved and submitted in PDF Format
- Must be written by the applicant
You will have two options to submit your essay:
- Option 1: Upload your Essay in PDF Format.
- Option 2: Copy and Paste your essay into the text field provided on the form.
2023 RENEWAL ESSAY PROMPTS
First-Year Renewal Essay:
This prompt is for students who will be a SOPHOMORE during the 2023-2024 school year.
- Describe your choice of major and your goals and explain if either of these has changed at all since entering college. Please explain how your goals are related to your long-range and current career plans.
Second-Year Renewal Essay:
The following prompts are for students who will be a JUNIOR during the 2023-2024 school year. Please choose ONE of the following to submit as your essay on your renewal application.
- Essay Option 1: Describe how your past year's educational experiences have provided growth individually and intellectually. Indicate whether your educational and career goals remain the same as they were a year ago.
- Essay Option 2: How has obtaining this scholarship helped you to pay it forward in your community, on your campus, or in your family in the future?
Third-Year Renewal Essay:
The following prompts are for students who will be a SENIOR during the 2023-2024 school year. Please choose ONE of the following to submit as your essay on your renewal application.
- Essay Option 1: Tell us about a challenge you've faced, or one that you want to take on, that affected your educational and personal life during your junior year?
- Essay Option 2: As your senior year is about to start, please share with us your plans following graduation. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. related to your relationship with PCEF and/or your scholarship donor as you reflect on your past 3 years.
Optional Essay:
This is OPTIONAL!! The following prompt is in addition to the required essay.
- Submit an additional essay in which you share any information about yourself that you would want the scholarship committee to know. This essay may be submitted in written or video format.