How to Craft Your Essay for the Guada-Coma ICA Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets:

• Background: Identify experiences that have shaped your interest in agriculture or community service. Think about your family history, involvement in local agriculture, or any formative experiences related to cattle farming.
• Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your leadership, responsibility, or impact. Include metrics or outcomes, such as projects you led, awards you received, or community initiatives you participated in.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you currently lack in terms of skills or knowledge and explain how further education will help you fill that gap. Be specific about the areas of study you wish to pursue and how they relate to your career goals.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values, work ethic, and character. This could include challenges you’ve faced, lessons learned, or moments that inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture.

Creating an Outline

Draft a structured outline based on your brainstorming. Start with an engaging opening that sets the stage for your story. Follow with sections dedicated to each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next. Conclude with a powerful closing that reflects on your commitment to making an impact in the agricultural community.

Drafting Voice and Style

When writing your essay, use an active voice and focus on concrete details. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate about agriculture, demonstrate that passion through specific examples and experiences. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to the overall narrative and maintains a logical flow.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. Look for areas where you can deepen your reflection. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences connect to your future goals? This reflection will add depth to your essay and make it more compelling.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common pitfalls. Avoid using generic phrases or making unsupported claims about your achievements. Steer clear of passive voice and bureaucratic language. Lastly, ensure that all information is accurate and verifiable; do not fabricate details about your experiences or qualifications.