How to Write a Compelling Essay for the Jon Harris Maurer Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To effectively organize your thoughts, consider the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, education, and experiences that have shaped your academic and personal journey. What challenges have you faced, and how have they influenced your goals?
• Achievements: List your significant accomplishments, focusing on measurable outcomes. Include academic honors, leadership roles, volunteer work, or projects that demonstrate your initiative and impact.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your education or experiences that further study can address. Explain how the scholarship will help you bridge these gaps and achieve your goals.
• Personality: Share humanizing details that reveal your values, interests, and motivations. This could include anecdotes that illustrate your character and commitment to your chosen field.

Creating an Outline

Organize your ideas into a coherent outline. Each section should focus on one bucket, ensuring a logical flow:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that captures your journey.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and challenges.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments with specific details.
4. The Gap: Explain what you aim to achieve through further education.
5. Personality: Conclude with insights into your character and future aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, use an active voice and specific language. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are “passionate,” demonstrate your passion through specific examples and outcomes. Ensure that each paragraph contains one main idea and transitions smoothly to the next.

Revision and Reflection: The “So What?” Factor

After drafting, revise your essay with a focus on clarity and impact. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights or reflections can you add to deepen the reader's understanding of your journey? Ensure that your essay not only tells your story but also clearly articulates your future goals and the significance of the scholarship in achieving them.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid generic openers or statements that do not engage the reader.
• Steer clear of vague language and superlatives that lack evidence.
• Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences; authenticity is key.
• Ensure that your essay adheres to any word limits or formatting guidelines provided by the scholarship committee.