How to Craft Your Essay for the Ernest Lee McLean Jr. Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts by exploring the following four material buckets:

• Background: Identify key experiences that have shaped your worldview. Consider family influences, cultural background, or significant life events that have contributed to your personal development.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, focusing on metrics and outcomes. Think about leadership roles, community service, or academic successes that demonstrate your commitment and capability.
• The Gap: Reflect on areas where you seek further growth. What skills or knowledge do you wish to acquire through your education? Clearly articulate how this scholarship will help bridge that gap.
• Personality: Humanize your essay by incorporating personal anecdotes and values. What motivates you? What are your passions? Use specific examples to illustrate your character.

Outlining Your Essay

Structure your essay logically, ensuring each section flows into the next. A suggested outline includes:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or story that captures attention.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and their impact on your aspirations.
3. Achievements: Highlight significant accomplishments and their relevance to your goals.
4. The Gap: Explain what you need to learn and how this scholarship will facilitate that.
5. Personality: Share personal insights that reveal your values and motivations.
6. Conclusion: Reinforce your commitment to making a positive impact through your education.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on specificity. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying you are passionate about a subject, illustrate that passion with concrete examples and outcomes. Use clear, direct language to convey your ideas.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, revise your essay with a critical eye. Ensure each paragraph answers the question, “So what?” This reflection helps clarify the significance of your experiences and how they connect to your future goals. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain different perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following pitfalls:

• Avoid starting with clichéd phrases or generic statements.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate details about your achievements.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your actions.
• Ensure your essay remains focused on your unique journey and avoids broad generalizations.