How to Craft Your Essay for the LaVelle Mullennex Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets: Background, Achievements, The Gap, and Personality.

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. What experiences have shaped your educational journey? Consider family influences, community involvement, or challenges you’ve faced.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Use specific metrics, such as grades, awards, or leadership roles that demonstrate your capabilities.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack and how this scholarship will help you bridge that gap. Be honest about your aspirations and the resources you need to achieve them.
• Personality: Highlight your unique traits and values. What makes you stand out as a candidate? Incorporate specific anecdotes that reveal your character.

Creating an Outline

Draft a clear outline based on your brainstorming. Each section should have a specific focus:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that captures your journey or motivation.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and their impact.
3. Achievements: Present your accomplishments with supporting details.
4. The Gap: Explain your current needs and how the scholarship fits into your future plans.
5. Personality: Conclude with insights about your values and aspirations, emphasizing how they align with the scholarship’s goals.

Drafting Voice

As you write, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate, demonstrate your passion through specific examples and outcomes. Ensure each paragraph has one main idea, transitioning smoothly to the next.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. When you return, read your essay with a critical eye, asking, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every part contributes meaningfully to your overall narrative and reflects your growth and aspirations.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés.
• Steer clear of vague language; be specific in your examples.
• Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences; authenticity is key.
• Watch for passive voice; keep your writing active and engaging.