How to Write an Essay for the In-Demand Challenge Match Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather material for your essay by exploring these four key areas:

• Background: Consider the experiences that have shaped your educational and career aspirations. What personal or community challenges have you faced?
• Achievements: Identify specific accomplishments in your academic or extracurricular life. Use metrics or outcomes to demonstrate your impact, such as leadership roles or projects completed.
• The Gap: Reflect on what skills or knowledge you currently lack that further education will help you acquire. Why is this scholarship essential for bridging that gap?
• Personality: Include humanizing details that showcase your values and interests. What makes you unique as a candidate?

Creating an Outline

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

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that illustrates your journey or aspirations.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate separate paragraphs to each of the four buckets, ensuring each one has a clear focus and connects back to your overall narrative.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how this scholarship will impact your future and reiterate your commitment to making a difference.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate, show your passion through specific examples and achievements. Engage the reader by reflecting on your growth and insights gained from experiences.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, revisit each section and ask yourself, “So what?” Ensure that every paragraph not only presents information but also reflects on its significance. This will help convey your motivations and aspirations more clearly.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes that can undermine your essay:

• Avoid generic openers and filler phrases that do not add value.
• Steer clear of empty superlatives; instead, provide concrete evidence of your achievements.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists.
• Ensure all facts are accurate and relevant to your application.