How to Write Your Essay for the Dorothy Walker Dearon Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. What experiences have shaped your educational and career aspirations? Consider family influences, cultural background, or significant events.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Focus on metrics, responsibilities, and outcomes. For instance, did you lead a project that resulted in measurable improvements?
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack in terms of skills or knowledge and explain how further study will bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how this scholarship will help you achieve them.
• Personality: Include humanizing details that showcase your values and character. What unique perspectives do you bring? How do your experiences inform your worldview?

Outline Your Essay

Structure your essay to ensure clarity and logical flow. Consider the following outline:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that illustrates your journey. Avoid generic statements.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets. Use the STAR method to detail specific achievements or challenges, showing your growth and insight.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on what you have learned from your experiences and how they shape your future goals. Reinforce the significance of the scholarship in your educational journey.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and be specific. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying, “I am passionate about education,” demonstrate this through specific examples of your commitment and impact. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea, ensuring a clear progression of thought.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and review your work. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences connect to the scholarship’s goals? Ensure that your reflections are clear and meaningful, enhancing the overall narrative of your essay.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or generic statements. Open with a specific moment that draws the reader in.
• Steer clear of empty superlatives. Instead of saying you are “the best,” provide evidence of your achievements.
• Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences. Authenticity is key to building trust with the committee.