How to Craft Your Essay for the Dr. Ruth Griffiths Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a well-rounded essay, brainstorm material across four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history, including experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant life events.
• Achievements: Identify your notable accomplishments, whether academic, extracurricular, or community-related. Use specific metrics or outcomes to quantify your impact, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or awards received.
• The Gap: Acknowledge any challenges you face that this scholarship could help address. This could include financial barriers, academic hurdles, or gaps in your current skill set that further education will help you fill.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details that reflect your values and aspirations. Share anecdotes that illustrate your character and determination.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create a structured outline to organize your thoughts. A suggested outline might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that illustrates your journey or motivation.
2. Background: Describe your personal history and experiences that have led you to pursue higher education.
3. Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments, emphasizing the impact you have made in your community or field.
4. The Gap: Discuss the challenges you face and how this scholarship will help you address them.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your commitment to making a positive impact and how Worcester State University fits into your future plans.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Each paragraph should contain one main idea, supported by specific examples and reflections. Avoid generic statements; instead, aim for vivid descriptions that engage the reader. Remember to answer the “So what?” question in every section—explain why your experiences and aspirations matter.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take time to revise. Look for areas where you can enhance clarity and impact. Ensure that each section contributes to a cohesive narrative that reflects your journey and aspirations. Ask yourself if you have effectively communicated your motivations and the significance of the scholarship in your life. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain fresh perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

As you finalize your essay, be mindful of common pitfalls:

• Avoid clichés and vague statements that lack substance.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your actions and contributions.
• Do not fabricate experiences or accomplishments; authenticity is crucial.
• Ensure your essay flows logically, with clear transitions between ideas.