How to Craft Your Essay for the Janice Louise Olach Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather material by exploring four key areas:

• Background: Consider your upbringing, educational experiences, and any formative moments that have shaped your values and ambitions. What personal stories can you share that illustrate your journey?
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic, extracurricular, or community involvement. Use specific metrics or outcomes to demonstrate your impact—think about leadership roles, projects completed, or awards received.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your education or experience that this scholarship will help you address. Be honest about your needs and articulate why further study is crucial for your development.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details that reveal your character. What values drive you? What unique perspectives do you hold? Specific anecdotes can help illustrate your personality.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, organize it into a coherent outline. Each section of your essay should focus on one main idea:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that draws the reader in. Avoid clichés and instead present a vivid snapshot of your experience.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets. Use the STAR method to structure your achievements and experiences, ensuring that you highlight your actions and their results.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and articulate your commitment to making an impact in your field or community. Answer the “So what?” question by connecting your experiences to your future goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and clear, concise language. Engage the reader with specific details and avoid vague statements. Each paragraph should logically flow to the next, ensuring a cohesive narrative. Use transitions to guide the reader through your thought process.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your first draft, take a step back and review your work. Ask yourself if each section answers the “So what?” question. Reflect on how your experiences have changed you and why these changes matter. Revise for clarity, specificity, and impact, ensuring that your personality shines through.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following mistakes:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés. Open with a specific moment that captures attention.
• Steer clear of vague language. Use concrete examples and metrics to illustrate your points.
• Do not rely on passive voice. Use active voice to convey your actions and achievements directly.
• Refrain from fabricating details or experiences. Authenticity is crucial in making a genuine connection with the committee.