Crafting Your Essay for the Jean Driscoll Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a strong essay, gather material across these four categories:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history related to Spina Bifida. What experiences have shaped your identity and aspirations?
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Quantify your impact where possible—think about leadership roles, community service, or academic honors.
• The Gap: Consider what you hope to achieve through further education. What skills or knowledge do you currently lack that this scholarship will help you obtain?
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your values and character. What motivates you? What challenges have you overcome?

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay to ensure clarity and flow. A suggested outline could be:

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid moment or experience that encapsulates your journey.
2. Background: Discuss your history with Spina Bifida and how it has shaped your goals.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment and capability.
4. The Gap: Explain your educational aspirations and how this scholarship will bridge the gap.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and your commitment to making an impact in your community.

Drafting Voice and Style

Use an active voice that conveys confidence and ownership of your narrative. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying, “I have always wanted to help others,” provide a specific example of how you have already begun to do so. This approach will engage the reader and make your essay memorable.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, revisit each section and ask yourself, “So what?” This reflection helps clarify the significance of your experiences and achievements. Ensure that every paragraph contributes meaningfully to your overall narrative and demonstrates your potential impact.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid generic openers; start with a specific moment that draws the reader in.
• Steer clear of vague language; use concrete details and metrics where applicable.
• Don’t invent facts or embellish your story; authenticity is crucial.
• Keep your focus on your journey; avoid diverging into unrelated topics.