How to Write Your Essay for the Buena Vista National Bank Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Reflect on your experiences that have shaped your educational aspirations. Consider family influences, community involvement, or pivotal moments in your life.
• Achievements: Identify your significant accomplishments. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your responsibilities and successes, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or community service hours.
• The Gap: Assess what you currently lack in your educational journey. Explain why further study is essential for your personal and professional growth, and how the scholarship will help bridge this gap.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values, motivations, and unique perspectives. This will help humanize your application and make it memorable.

Outline Your Essay

Organize your thoughts into a coherent outline. Structure your essay to flow logically from one section to the next. Start with an engaging introduction that sets the scene and draws the reader in. Follow with paragraphs dedicated to each of the four material buckets, ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus and contributes to your overall narrative.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and focus on clarity. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate about a subject, demonstrate this through specific examples and experiences. Each paragraph should present one idea, supported by details that answer the “So what?” question—why your experiences and insights matter.

Revision and “So What?” Reflection

After drafting, take a break before revising. Read your essay with fresh eyes, looking for areas that need clarity or deeper reflection. Ask yourself how each section contributes to your overall message and whether it effectively communicates your journey and aspirations. Make sure to refine your language, eliminate redundancy, and ensure your essay flows smoothly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of several common pitfalls:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés. Instead, open with a specific moment or story that encapsulates your journey.
• Steer clear of vague language. Use concrete details, numbers, and specific examples to illustrate your points.
• Don’t forget to connect your experiences directly to how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Make this connection explicit to strengthen your case.