How to Write Your Essay for the Bokhee and Neil Doherty Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, organize your thoughts into four key material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history, including family, education, and experiences that have shaped who you are. Consider significant moments that influenced your academic path or personal values.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic, extracurricular, or community service activities. Use specific metrics or examples to illustrate your responsibilities and the outcomes of your efforts.
• The Gap: Acknowledge any challenges or limitations in your current situation that this scholarship could help address. Explain how further study or financial support will enable you to overcome these obstacles.
• Personality: Humanize your essay by sharing personal anecdotes or values that reflect your character. This could include hobbies, interests, or unique experiences that define you.

Outlining Your Essay

Creating an outline can help structure your essay effectively. Start with a strong introduction that hooks the reader with a concrete moment or in-scene description. Then, organize your paragraphs around each of the four material buckets, ensuring each section flows logically into the next. Conclude with a reflection on how the scholarship aligns with your future goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Each paragraph should center on one idea, with transitions that guide the reader through your narrative. Avoid clichés and ensure your writing is specific and reflective. When discussing achievements or experiences, quantify your impact with numbers or timeframes where possible.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, revisit each section to ensure it answers the “So what?” question. Reflect on how your experiences and aspirations relate to the scholarship’s purpose. Fine-tune your language for precision and impact, and seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain fresh perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés that do not add value to your narrative.
• Steer clear of vague expressions of passion without concrete examples to back them up.
• Do not rely on passive voice; instead, highlight your actions and contributions.
• Ensure all details are truthful and verifiable; do not fabricate experiences or achievements.