Crafting Your Essay for the Rees Scholarship Foundation

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather material for your essay by exploring four key areas:

• Background: Consider your military service and personal experiences that have influenced your educational journey. What challenges have you faced, and how have they shaped your perspective?
• Achievements: Document significant accomplishments, both academically and in your service. Use specific metrics where possible, such as awards received, leadership roles held, or community service projects led.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your education or skills that this scholarship will help you address. Be clear about how further study at the Rees Scholarship Foundation aligns with your career aspirations.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and motivations. What drives you? How do you plan to use your education to make a difference?

Creating an Outline

Organize your thoughts into a coherent structure. A suggested outline might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or story that sets the tone for your essay.
2. Background: Discuss your military experience and its impact on your educational journey.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for further study.
4. The Gap: Explain what you hope to gain from the scholarship and how it fits into your goals.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your commitment to your education and community, emphasizing your future aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

Use an active voice and specific language throughout your essay. Avoid clichés and general statements; instead, focus on unique details that reflect your experiences. Each paragraph should center on a single idea, with smooth transitions to guide the reader through your narrative.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting your essay, take time to revise. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences connect to your future goals? Ensure that your essay answers these questions clearly and compellingly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be aware of common mistakes that can undermine your essay:

• Avoid vague language and superlatives without evidence.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always identify who is taking action.
• Do not include fabricated facts or experiences; authenticity is crucial.
• Refrain from starting with clichéd phrases; instead, draw the reader in with a specific moment.