Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable Leadership Scholarship Essay Guide

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider significant life experiences that have shaped your interest in transportation and leadership. Think about moments that sparked your passion or influenced your career path.
• Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments, particularly those that demonstrate your leadership skills. Use specific metrics or outcomes to quantify your impact, such as projects you led, initiatives you started, or recognitions you received.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack in terms of skills or knowledge and how this scholarship will help bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how they relate to your career aspirations in transportation.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that showcase your values and character. Share anecdotes that reveal your commitment to leadership and community service.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create a structured outline. Start with an engaging introduction that sets the scene or presents a compelling moment from your life. Follow with paragraphs that delve into each of the four buckets, ensuring each section transitions smoothly to the next. Conclude with a strong statement about your future goals and how the scholarship will enable you to achieve them.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice. Avoid bureaucratic language and focus on clarity and specificity. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, supported by concrete examples. Open with a vivid scene or a personal moment that draws the reader in, and ensure that you reflect on the significance of each experience by answering the question, “So what?”

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your first draft, take a break before revising. Review your essay with fresh eyes, checking for clarity, coherence, and engagement. Ensure that each section answers the prompt and reflects your unique narrative. Ask yourself if your essay clearly communicates your leadership potential and how it connects to your future in transportation.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following pitfalls:

• Avoid clichés and vague statements. Each claim should be supported by concrete evidence or examples.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists. This can dilute the strength of your narrative.
• Steer clear of embellishing your achievements or experiences. Authenticity is key to connecting with the committee.
• Ensure that your essay remains focused and on-topic. Each paragraph should contribute to your overall message.