How to Craft Your Essay for the Osterman Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets to ensure a comprehensive essay:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history, including experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, community involvement, and any challenges you've faced.
• Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and dedication. Use metrics and outcomes to quantify your impact, such as projects completed, leadership roles held, or community service hours contributed.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your current experience that further study will address. Explain why this scholarship is essential for you to bridge these gaps and advance your academic and professional aspirations.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reflect your values and character. Share anecdotes that reveal your motivations and passions beyond academics.

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay logically to guide the reader through your narrative. A suggested outline could be:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that encapsulates your journey.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they relate to your educational goals.
3. Achievements: Detail your accomplishments, emphasizing their relevance to your future plans.
4. The Gap: Explain what you hope to gain from further education and how the scholarship will facilitate this.
5. Personality: Conclude with a reflection on your values and aspirations, reinforcing your commitment to making an impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, use an active voice to engage the reader. Avoid clichés and instead focus on specific, vivid details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout your essay. Remember to reflect on your experiences and articulate why they matter, answering the “So what?” question in each section.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising to gain perspective. Read your essay with fresh eyes, checking for clarity, coherence, and engagement. Ensure that each section contributes to your overall narrative and reinforces your connection to the scholarship. Seek feedback from peers or mentors who can provide constructive criticism.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés that do not add value to your narrative.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate experiences; authenticity is crucial.
• Steer clear of passive voice, which can dilute the impact of your writing.
• Ensure that every detail serves a purpose in advancing your argument or narrative.