How to Craft Your Essay for the Sally Sullivan Medical Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather material for your essay by exploring four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. What experiences have shaped your desire to pursue a medical career? Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant life events.
• Achievements: Identify your accomplishments in academic and extracurricular settings. What metrics can you share? This could include grades, leadership roles, volunteer hours, or projects that demonstrate your commitment to the medical field.
• The Gap: Consider what you currently lack that this scholarship will help you address. What are your educational or professional goals, and how does receiving this scholarship fit into your plans?
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your character. What values drive you? Share anecdotes that illustrate your resilience, empathy, or determination.

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay with a clear outline. Start with an engaging opening that sets the scene or presents a specific moment that reflects your journey. Follow this with sections dedicated to each of the four material buckets, ensuring each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next. Conclude with a strong closing that reiterates your commitment to making a difference in the medical field.

Drafting Voice and Tone

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Avoid vague statements; instead, provide specific examples and metrics to support your claims. Reflect on your experiences and articulate how they have shaped your aspirations. Remember to answer the “So what?” question—why do your experiences matter in the context of this scholarship?

Revision & “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. Look for opportunities to enhance clarity and impact. Ensure each section serves a purpose and contributes to your overall narrative. Ask yourself if your essay answers the key questions: What have you learned? How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of clichés and generalizations. Avoid starting with phrases like “From a young age” or “I have always been passionate about.” Ensure that every claim is backed by specific examples and that your essay reflects your unique voice and experiences. Additionally, steer clear of passive voice and overly bureaucratic language, which can dilute your message.