How to Write Your Essay for the Abigail O. Adewunmi Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four key areas: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Identify experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant challenges you've overcome.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, focusing on specific metrics, responsibilities, and outcomes. Think about leadership roles, academic success, or community service that demonstrate your impact.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your education or skills and how this scholarship can help bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how they relate to your future aspirations.
• Personality: Include personal anecdotes that showcase your values, interests, and individuality. This can help humanize your application and make it memorable.

Outline Your Essay

Structure your essay clearly to guide the reader through your narrative. A suggested outline might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid moment or scene that introduces your journey. Avoid generic statements.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they have influenced your educational path.
3. Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments, using the STAR method to illustrate your impact.
4. The Gap: Explain your educational goals and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on what you’ve learned and how you plan to use your education for future impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Each paragraph should convey one main idea, with transitions that logically connect your thoughts. Use specific details and metrics to support your claims, ensuring that your passion is backed by evidence.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, revise your essay by asking yourself, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every paragraph reflects not just what you did, but why it matters. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to gain new perspectives and refine your message.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following pitfalls:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Do not use passive voice where active voice can better convey your role and impact.
• Ensure all facts and experiences are genuine; do not invent details or embellish your story.