How to Write Your Essay for the Joshua Kim Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four key areas: background, achievements, the gap, and personality.

• Background: Identify experiences that shaped your understanding of hemophilia and advocacy. Think about family history, personal experiences, or community involvement that influenced your journey.
• Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment to advocacy or leadership. Use metrics or outcomes to quantify your impact, such as organizing community events or raising awareness.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you still need to learn or achieve. Discuss how this scholarship will help you bridge that gap and further your education and advocacy efforts.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. This could include challenges you’ve faced and how they have shaped your perspective on advocacy.

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline will help maintain clarity and focus. A suggested structure could be:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling in-scene moment that captures your connection to advocacy.
2. Background: Provide context about your experiences and how they relate to the scholarship.
3. Achievements: Detail specific accomplishments and the skills you’ve developed.
4. The Gap: Explain what you aim to achieve through further education and how the scholarship fits into that plan.
5. Personality: Share insights into your character and values.
6. Conclusion: Reflect on your commitment to advocacy and the impact you hope to make.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, use an active voice and be specific. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying you are passionate about advocacy, illustrate that passion with concrete examples and outcomes. Reflect on your growth and insights, answering the “So what?” question to show the significance of your experiences.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. Look for clarity, coherence, and engagement. Each paragraph should serve a purpose and contribute to your overall narrative. Ensure that your essay answers the “So what?” question effectively, demonstrating why your story matters and how it aligns with the scholarship’s goals.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid clichés and generic statements. Ensure that every detail in your essay is authentic and relevant. Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences. Instead, focus on genuine reflections and insights that showcase your journey and aspirations.