Crafting Your Essay for the Bena Dial Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, gather material across four key areas:

• Background: Consider your upbringing, influences, and any formative experiences that have shaped your values and goals.
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in academics, community service, or leadership roles. Use metrics or specific outcomes to demonstrate your impact.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your knowledge or skills and how further education will help you bridge that gap.
• Personality: Think of specific anecdotes that reveal your character, values, and motivations. These details will humanize your essay and make it memorable.

Outline Your Essay

Creating an outline will help you organize your thoughts coherently. Start with a strong opening that draws the reader in. Follow with sections that explore each of the four buckets, ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single idea. Conclude by tying your experiences back to the scholarship’s goals and your future aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, aim for an active voice that engages the reader. Avoid clichés and general statements; instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should transition logically to the next, maintaining a clear narrative flow. Remember to reflect on your experiences and articulate why they matter in the context of your education and community impact.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, take a step back and revise with fresh eyes. Ensure that every section answers the question, “So what?”—why your experiences are relevant and how they contribute to your future goals. Seek feedback from trusted mentors or peers, and be open to constructive criticism that can strengthen your essay.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When writing your essay, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Using vague language or empty superlatives without evidence.
• Starting with generic statements that do not engage the reader.
• Failing to connect your personal narrative to the scholarship’s mission.
• Neglecting to proofread for grammar and clarity.