How to Craft Your Essay for the Arthur M. Doyle Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Divide your thoughts into four material buckets to structure your essay effectively:

• Background: Consider your personal history, family influences, and experiences that shaped your educational journey. What key moments led you to apply to Framingham State University?
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Use specific metrics or examples to demonstrate your impact, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or awards received.
• The Gap: Identify what you still need to achieve your goals. How does this scholarship help bridge that gap? Be clear about how further study at Framingham State University fits into your plans.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values, interests, and what makes you unique. This humanizing detail can help the committee connect with you on a personal level.

Creating an Outline

With your material gathered, outline your essay. Aim for a clear introduction, body, and conclusion:

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or scene that captures your journey. Avoid generic statements; instead, aim for something specific and personal.
2. Body: Organize paragraphs by each of the four buckets. Ensure each paragraph has a clear focus and flows logically to the next. Use active voice and provide specific examples to illustrate your points.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how receiving the scholarship will impact your future. What commitments will you make to give back to the university and community?

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active and confident voice. Show your commitment through specific actions and outcomes rather than vague statements. Each paragraph should focus on one idea, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout your writing.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and revise. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights did you gain? How did your experiences shape your goals? Ensure that your essay reflects growth and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Do not use passive voice; strive for an active tone that engages the reader.
• Ensure all facts are accurate and verifiable; do not invent experiences or achievements.