How to Craft Your Essay for the COMTO Philadelphia Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider experiences that shaped your interest in transportation or related fields. Think about family influences, community involvement, or personal challenges.
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic or extracurricular activities. Quantify these achievements where possible, such as leadership roles, awards, or projects that had measurable impacts.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your education or experience. Explain why receiving this scholarship is crucial for your academic journey and how it will help you fill that gap.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values, motivations, and character. Specific stories can make your application memorable.

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay logically. A suggested outline could include:

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid scene or moment that captures your journey or interest in transportation.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they led you to this field.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for further study.
4. The Gap: Articulate your current educational needs and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your commitment to making an impact in the transportation sector and express gratitude for the opportunity.

Drafting Voice and Style

Write in an active voice and maintain clarity throughout your essay. Avoid filler phrases and focus on specific details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should convey one main idea, with smooth transitions that guide the reader through your narrative.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting your essay, take a step back and review it critically. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that each part of your essay reflects not only your experiences but also the significance of those experiences in relation to the scholarship and your future goals. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to refine your message.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is crucial.
• Steer clear of overly complex language; clarity should be your priority.
• Ensure that your essay is well-organized and free of grammatical errors.