Crafting Your Essay for the Haworth Endowed Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. Consider what experiences have shaped your educational journey and your decision to attend San Jacinto College.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Quantify your achievements where possible, such as GPA, awards, or leadership roles.
• The Gap: Identify what you lack in your current education that this scholarship will help you address. Be specific about how the funds will aid your studies and future ambitions.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. This could include challenges you've overcome or moments that inspired your academic pursuits.

Outlining Your Essay

Structure your essay logically. Start with an engaging opening that sets the scene. Follow with sections dedicated to each of the four material buckets. Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain a coherent narrative flow.

Drafting Voice and Style

Use an active voice to convey your experiences and insights. Avoid clichés and general statements; instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points. Ensure each paragraph has a clear main idea and contributes to your overall narrative.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and reflect on your essay. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences shape your future goals? Revise to ensure clarity and depth in your reflections.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid using vague language or empty superlatives. Steer clear of passive voice and bureaucratic phrasing. Ensure that all details in your essay are truthful and verifiable. Lastly, do not rely on generic statements about passion; instead, provide concrete examples to support your claims.