Personal Essay
A Personal Essay of 700 to 1,000 words is required. This essay should tell us how your platelet disorder has resulted in your growth as a person; what you learned about your own strengths and weaknesses. If you feel it’s changed you, whether emotionally or physically, describe how it changed your approach to life and relationships. Summarize how having an illness might have affected your life’s accomplishments and helped you set goals. If you feel that having a chronic illness has helped you choose a career path, illustrate how, and explain why you feel this way and what you have done to meet these educational goals. Describe how achieving your educational aspirations will positively impact your future plans, in light of the struggles that you face from your platelet disorder. Note: Do not include your name anywhere in the essay.
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation, written by adults who are not related to you must be provided, along with the first/last name and email address of each referrer. Please note that recommendation letters should make no mention of your name. Applicants, instruct your references to use general terms – for example, “the applicant” and pronouns such as “they/them/theirs” – in place of your name. The scholarship selection committee judges should not be able to identify any applicants by name. Please direct any questions to pdsa@pdsa.org.
Your SignatureBy typing my full name and today's date below, I do hereby state that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I affirm that I am a citizen of the United States or Canada, that I have received an acceptance letter from the above-mentioned college or institution, that I meet eligibility criteria as defined by PDSA, and that I understand the disbursement process should I win a scholarship award.
PLEASE NOTE: Upon award notification, winners will also be asked to send a recent photo for publication in winner announcement.
