Crafting Your Essay for the Marabel Family Endowed Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a comprehensive essay, explore your experiences through the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, influences, and experiences that have shaped your identity. Consider significant moments or challenges that have contributed to your growth.
• Achievements: List your academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Focus on metrics, responsibilities, and outcomes. What projects or initiatives have you led, and what impact did they have?
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek further development. What knowledge or skills do you hope to acquire through your studies at Stetson? Explain why this scholarship is essential for your educational journey.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details. Share anecdotes that reveal your values, interests, and aspirations. This will help the committee connect with you on a personal level.

Structuring Your Outline

Organize your thoughts into a coherent outline. Each section should focus on one main idea:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or in-scene description that captures your reader's attention. Avoid generic statements.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets. Use specific examples and metrics to support your claims. Ensure each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next, maintaining logical progression.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how your experiences and aspirations align with the values of the scholarship. Reiterate your commitment to making a positive impact at Stetson and beyond.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, maintain an active voice and specific language. Use concrete details and avoid vague expressions. Reflect on your experiences and articulate what you learned from them. Answer the “So what?” question in every section to emphasize the significance of your journey.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. This allows you to approach your essay with fresh eyes. Look for clarity, coherence, and flow. Ensure that each paragraph contributes to your overall narrative. Ask yourself how your experiences have prepared you for future challenges and how they relate to the scholarship's purpose.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your essay.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists; this weakens your writing.
• Steer clear of vague expressions of passion; instead, provide evidence of your commitment and impact.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is crucial in scholarship essays.