How to Craft Your Essay for the Lu Ann and Doran Weinstein Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Material Buckets

Gather your thoughts by considering the following four material buckets:

• 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 significant accomplishments. Focus on metrics, responsibilities, and outcomes. Think about academic successes, leadership roles, or community service that demonstrate your commitment.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack that this scholarship can help you address. Be specific about how further education will bridge this gap and enhance your skills or knowledge.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details. What values drive you? What unique perspectives do you bring? Specific anecdotes can illustrate your character and aspirations.

Creating an Outline

With your material gathered, create a structured outline. Each section of your essay should flow logically, guiding the reader through your narrative:

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or scene that captures your journey. Avoid generic statements.
2. Background: Provide context for your experiences and motivations.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for further study.
4. The Gap: Clearly articulate what you hope to gain from this scholarship.
5. Personality: Conclude with reflections on your values and how they align with your future goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and ensure each paragraph focuses on a single idea. Use specific examples and metrics to illustrate your points. Reflect on your experiences and explain why they matter. This will help the committee understand your journey and aspirations.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, revise your essay with a critical eye. Ask yourself: “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to your overall narrative and answers why your experiences and goals are significant. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your message further.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common pitfalls during the writing process:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements. Start with a specific moment that illustrates your journey.
• Steer clear of vague expressions of passion without evidence. Show your commitment through concrete examples.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists. This will make your writing more engaging and direct.
• Refrain from including invented facts or embellishments. Authenticity is crucial in your narrative.