How to Write Your Essay for the Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four key material buckets: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Reflect on your life experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, community involvement, or challenges you have faced.
• Achievements: List significant accomplishments, whether academic, extracurricular, or community-related. Quantify these achievements where possible—mention specific awards, leadership roles, or projects you led.
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek to grow. What skills or knowledge do you currently lack that further education will provide? Be honest about your aspirations and how this scholarship fits into your plans.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that illustrate your values and character. This is your chance to show the committee who you are beyond your accomplishments.

Creating an Outline

With your material organized, create a structured outline. Each section of your essay should focus on a single idea, progressing logically from one to the next. Consider using the following structure:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that encapsulates your journey. Avoid general statements.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they led you to pursue your education.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments, using metrics to demonstrate impact.
4. The Gap: Explain what you aim to achieve through further education and how the scholarship will facilitate this.
5. Personality: Conclude with a reflection on your values and future aspirations, tying back to your introduction.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and specific language. Focus on concrete details and avoid vague statements about passion or commitment. Each paragraph should convey a clear idea and demonstrate your unique perspective. Use transitions to guide the reader through your narrative seamlessly.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and revise with a critical eye. Ask yourself: What has changed in me through these experiences? Why does this matter? Ensure that each section answers this question and contributes to a cohesive narrative about your educational journey and aspirations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements. Instead, focus on specific experiences that illustrate your points.
• Do not fabricate details or achievements. Authenticity is crucial in scholarship essays.
• Steer clear of passive voice. Use active voice to create a more engaging narrative.
• Ensure that each paragraph serves a purpose and contributes to your overall message.