How to Write an Essay for the Gomory Family Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Structure your brainstorming around four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. Consider experiences that shaped your understanding of homelessness and community service.
• Achievements: Identify specific accomplishments, such as volunteer work, leadership roles, or projects that demonstrate your commitment to helping those in need. Use metrics and outcomes to quantify your impact.
• The Gap: Analyze what you currently lack in your education or experience that this scholarship could help you address. Be specific about how further study at Florida State University will help you fill this gap.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details. Share anecdotes that reveal your values, motivations, and the unique perspective you bring to the scholarship.

Creating an Outline

Organize your thoughts into a clear outline. Start with a strong introduction that captures attention through a specific moment or story. Then, structure your body paragraphs to cover each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph focuses on one main idea. Conclude with a reflection on your journey and your commitment to making a difference.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, use an active voice and concrete language. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate about helping the homeless, illustrate this passion with a specific example that shows your involvement and the impact of your actions. Always answer the “So what?” question—why does your experience matter?

Revision and “So What?” Reflection

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. Look for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Ensure each section contributes to your overall narrative. Ask yourself if each paragraph answers the “So what?” question, connecting your experiences to your future goals and the scholarship’s mission.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Using clichés or overly general statements.
• Neglecting to provide specific examples or metrics to back up your claims.
• Failing to connect your personal journey to the scholarship’s objectives.
• Writing in passive voice or using bureaucratic language that distances you from your narrative.