How to Write Your Essay for the Frankee Hellinger Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a strong foundation for your essay, explore the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. What experiences have shaped your understanding of leadership? Consider pivotal moments that influenced your academic and career choices.
• Achievements: Identify your most significant accomplishments. Quantify your impact where possible—did you lead a project that resulted in measurable outcomes? Include leadership roles, initiatives you’ve spearheaded, and any recognition received.
• The Gap: Assess what you currently lack in your education or experience that this scholarship can help you address. Be specific about how further study will enhance your skills and prepare you for future challenges.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. What motivates you? What unique perspectives do you bring to your field?

Outline Your Essay

Organize your thoughts into a clear outline. A suggested structure could include:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or experience that illustrates your leadership journey. Avoid generic statements and engage the reader immediately.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to a specific bucket. Use the STAR method to detail your achievements and how they relate to your leadership potential.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and articulate your future aspirations. Connect your past experiences to how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and ensure clarity. Use specific examples and details to support your claims. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, focus on concrete experiences that demonstrate your leadership qualities. Each paragraph should convey one main idea, with transitions that guide the reader through your narrative.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and review your essay critically. Ask yourself, “So what?” about each section. Does your essay clearly convey your leadership potential and how the scholarship will impact your future? Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain new perspectives and refine your message.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following common mistakes:

• Avoid opening with clichés or general statements about your passion. Start with a specific moment that captures attention.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate experiences. Authenticity is key to building trust with the committee.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your role in your achievements.
• Ensure each paragraph serves a purpose and contributes to your overall narrative.