How to Craft Your Essay for the Schiff Hardin & Waite Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider your personal history, including formative experiences that have shaped your interest in law. What events or influences have led you to pursue this path?
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular pursuits. Focus on metrics and outcomes—what impact have you had in your roles?
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your experience or education. How does this scholarship and further study at Loyola fit into your plans to bridge that gap?
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your values and character. What motivates you? What unique qualities do you bring to the table?

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline can help organize your thoughts. Aim for a logical flow that connects your background, achievements, and aspirations:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that captures your journey or motivation. Avoid generic statements.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to a specific theme or bucket. Use the STAR method to detail achievements and challenges, ensuring you reflect on the significance of each experience.
3. Conclusion: Tie together your narrative by reiterating how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals and contribute to the legal community.

Drafting Voice and Style

Your writing should be clear and engaging. Use active voice to convey your actions and decisions. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea, with transitions that guide the reader through your narrative. Reflect on the “So what?” of your experiences—why do they matter in the context of your future in law?

Revision and “So What?”

Once you have a draft, take a step back and evaluate it critically. Ensure that every section answers the question of why your experiences and aspirations matter. Seek feedback from mentors or peers, and be open to revising for clarity and impact. Look for areas where you can add specific details or metrics to strengthen your argument.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

As you craft your essay, be mindful of these common pitfalls:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Steer clear of vague expressions of passion without concrete examples.
• Do not use passive voice when you can articulate your actions actively.
• Ensure all facts and experiences you present are genuine and verifiable.