Canada · 2026 Entrance Awards Program closed; next cycle not yet published
Saint Mary's entrance scholarship essay
Saint Mary's University's published Entrance Awards Program uses a 750-word essay for the Presidential, Presidential IB, Santamarian, and Sobey National Innovator scholarship routes. The essay covers community involvement, contribution to school life, and future plans; applicants can draw on student government, athletics, other activities, volunteering, or paid work. The 2026 application closed on February 15, 2026, so these instructions should be checked against the next award form before use.
Writing format
750-word essay on community, school contribution, and future plans
What to prepare
- 1Choose evidence of community involvement and contribution to school life rather than listing every activity without its effect.
- 2Explain how one or two experiences informed realistic plans for study, work, or service after school.
- 3Use the same essay for the eligible Part 3 awards you select; the 2026 guide says applicants seeking both Presidential-family and Sobey consideration submit only one essay.
How to approach the writing
- Separate the general entrance-award application from Part 3, which is the route that asks for this 750-word essay.
- Check the award's eligibility before drafting. Sobey applicants also provide a résumé and a school recommendation; need-based entrance awards instead ask for a distinct financial-need statement.
Before you submit
Do not submit against the closed 2026 dates or assume the 2027 prompt is unchanged. Wait for Saint Mary's to publish the next Entrance Awards Program application and confirm its prompt, word limit, eligibility, and deadline. This essay is for specific scholarships, not the general undergraduate admission application.
Read Saint Mary's University entrance scholarships and awards ↗Read Saint Mary's 2026 Entrance Awards Program application guide ↗Official source checked 2026-09-26.