How to Write Your Essay for the Dr. Rose D. Haroian Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, gather material across four key areas:

• Background: Consider what experiences have shaped you. Reflect on your upbringing, education, and any challenges you've faced. What moments stand out as pivotal in your development?
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic, extracurricular, or community activities. Use specific metrics or examples to illustrate your impact, such as leadership roles or projects that led to measurable outcomes.
• The Gap: Acknowledge areas where you seek to grow. What knowledge or skills do you currently lack that further study can help you acquire? Be honest and specific about your aspirations.
• Personality: Share humanizing details that reveal your values and character. What motivates you? What unique perspectives do you bring to your field of study or community?

Outlining Your Essay

Structure your essay logically. Start with an engaging opening that draws the reader in. Use the material gathered from the four buckets to create a cohesive narrative. Organize your essay into clear sections, each focusing on a distinct aspect of your journey, and ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice. Avoid clichés and vague expressions. Instead of stating your passion, demonstrate it through specific examples and reflections. Each paragraph should have a clear focus, contributing to the overall narrative and answering the question, “So what?” for the reader.

Revision and Reflection

After drafting, take a step back and review your work. Look for areas where you can enhance clarity and depth. Ensure that each section of your essay reflects your growth and insights. Ask yourself how your experiences will contribute to your future goals and the community at Worcester State University.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes that can weaken your essay:

• Avoid starting with clichés or overly generic statements.
• Steer clear of empty superlatives; instead, provide concrete examples.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists.
• Ensure all facts about your experiences are accurate and verifiable.