Crafting Your Essay for the American Lung Association Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, explore your experiences through these four material buckets:

• Background: Consider your personal journey, including family influences, community involvement, and any experiences that have shaped your educational aspirations.
• Achievements: List your academic accomplishments, leadership roles, and projects that showcase your skills. Quantify your achievements wherever possible, such as GPA, awards, or community service hours.
• The Gap: Identify any challenges you face in achieving your educational goals. Discuss how this scholarship will help bridge that gap, allowing you to pursue your studies without financial burden.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values, motivations, and unique perspective. This will help the committee connect with you on a human level.

Creating a Structured Outline

Organize your thoughts into a clear outline. Each section of your essay should focus on one main idea:

1. Introduction: Open with a vivid scene or moment that highlights your passion for your field of study or your journey.
2. Background: Provide context about your life and experiences that led you to your current educational path.
3. Achievements: Detail your accomplishments and how they relate to your future goals.
4. The Gap: Explain the challenges you face and how the scholarship will assist you.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on what you have learned and how you plan to use your education to make a positive impact.

Drafting Your Voice

As you draft, prioritize an active voice. Use specific examples and details to illustrate your points. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying you are passionate about your field, show it through your experiences and aspirations. Each paragraph should connect logically to the next, maintaining a clear narrative flow.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, take a step back. Review your essay for clarity and coherence. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each paragraph. Ensure that every section contributes to your overall message and demonstrates your commitment to your education and future goals. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain additional perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or generic statements. Begin with a strong, specific moment.
• Steer clear of vague language. Use concrete details and metrics to support your claims.
• Don’t invent facts or embellish your experiences. Authenticity is key in scholarship essays.
• Ensure your essay is well-structured, with each paragraph focused on a single idea.