How to Craft Your Essay for the Bruce Taylor Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, gather material across the following four buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, experiences, and influences that led you to pursue a career in health care. Consider moments that shaped your perspective and commitment to this field.
• Achievements: Identify your key accomplishments relevant to health care. Quantify your impact where possible—think about leadership roles, community service, or academic successes that demonstrate your readiness for this scholarship.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you currently lack in your education or experience and explain how this scholarship will bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how they align with your career aspirations.
• Personality: Humanize your narrative by sharing personal anecdotes or values that drive you. This could include your motivations for entering health care or challenges you've overcome that have prepared you for this journey.

Outlining Your Essay

Once you have gathered your material, create an outline that organizes your thoughts logically. A suggested structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid scene or moment that captures your journey into health care.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate sections to each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph focuses on one main idea. Use the STAR method to detail specific achievements and challenges.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how the scholarship will impact your future and reiterate your commitment to making a difference in health care.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and clear, concise language. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, maintaining a logical flow throughout your essay.

Revision & “So What?” Reflection

After completing your draft, take a step back and revise with a critical eye. Ask yourself: What have I learned through my experiences? Why does this matter to my future in health care? Ensure that every section of your essay answers these questions and contributes to a cohesive narrative that reflects your commitment to the field.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When writing your essay, steer clear of the following:

• Using generic openers or filler phrases that do not add value.
• Neglecting to provide specific examples or metrics that demonstrate your achievements.
• Failing to connect your past experiences to your future goals in health care.
• Overlooking the importance of proofreading for grammar and clarity.