Crafting Your Essay for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider experiences that have shaped your educational journey. This could include family influences, community involvement, or significant life events.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and leadership. Quantify these where possible (e.g., “led a team of 10 volunteers” or “increased club membership by 30%”).
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your education and how this scholarship will help bridge that gap. Be specific about your academic and career aspirations.
• Personality: Think about what makes you unique. Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values, interests, and motivations.

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 body paragraphs that explore each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph focuses on one main idea. Conclude by reflecting on how the scholarship will impact your future and your commitment to your community.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, aim for an active voice and clear, concise language. Avoid clichés and generic statements. Instead of saying you are passionate about education, illustrate this through a specific example that shows your commitment. Keep your tone confident yet humble, and ensure that your personality shines through.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your work. Ask yourself: What changed in me through these experiences? Why does this matter to the scholarship committee? Ensure that each section of your essay answers these questions and reinforces your narrative.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of several common pitfalls:

• Avoid vague language and generalizations. Be specific and provide details.
• Steer clear of passive voice; use active constructions to emphasize your role in your achievements.
• Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences; authenticity is crucial.
• Refrain from using clichés or overused phrases that detract from your unique voice.