Crafting Your Essay for the Sares and Sons Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To effectively structure your essay, consider the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history and experiences that have shaped your academic and career aspirations. What challenges have you faced? How have these experiences influenced your goals?
• Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments, focusing on measurable outcomes. Include leadership roles, projects, or initiatives that demonstrate your commitment and impact.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your current situation that this scholarship would help address. What are your educational or professional aspirations, and how does further study fit into that vision?
• Personality: Humanize your essay by sharing personal anecdotes or values that define you. What makes you unique? How do your experiences inform your worldview?

Outlining Your Essay

Once you have gathered material across the four buckets, create an outline. A strong essay typically includes:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that draws the reader in. Avoid generic statements.
2. Body Paragraphs: Organize your paragraphs by theme. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea, supporting it with specific examples and reflections.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and reiterate how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Answer the “So what?” question to emphasize the significance of your experiences and aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, use an active voice and precise language. Engage the reader with vivid descriptions and specific details. Avoid clichés and vague expressions of passion; instead, demonstrate your commitment through concrete examples. Each sentence should serve a purpose and contribute to the overall narrative.

Revision & “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your work. Ask yourself if each section effectively communicates your message. Does it reflect your growth, insights, and future aspirations? Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain different perspectives. Revise for clarity, coherence, and impact.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

As you finalize your essay, be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or overly broad statements.
• Do not include invented facts or embellishments; authenticity is crucial.
• Refrain from using passive voice where an active subject exists.
• Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus and contributes to your overall narrative.