Crafting Your Essay for the Bartlett Nemec Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets: background, achievements, the gap, and personality.

• Background: Reflect on your life experiences that shaped your educational goals. Consider family influences, challenges, and formative moments.
• Achievements: List significant accomplishments, focusing on quantifiable metrics and responsibilities. Highlight leadership roles, projects, or initiatives that had a measurable impact.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your education or experiences that further study will help you address. Explain why this scholarship is crucial for your academic and professional growth.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your character, values, and passions. This will help the committee see you as a well-rounded individual.

Structuring Your Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create a clear outline. Each section should address a specific aspect of your background, achievements, the gap, or personality. Aim for a logical progression that ties your experiences to your future goals. Use the STAR method to detail your achievements: describe the Situation, Task, Action, and Result for each significant experience.

Drafting with Voice and Clarity

As you draft your essay, focus on using an active voice. Start with a compelling anecdote or moment that captures your journey. Avoid clichés and general statements; instead, provide specific examples and details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, leading the reader through your narrative.

Reflection and “So What?”

After drafting, reflect on what you have written. For each section, ask yourself, “So what?” This question helps you articulate the significance of your experiences and insights. Ensure that your essay not only tells your story but also demonstrates how it has prepared you for future challenges and contributions.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes that could undermine your essay:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés.
• Do not rely on vague expressions of passion without concrete examples.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your role in achievements.
• Resist the temptation to embellish your experiences or invent details.