How to Craft Your Essay for the Shively-Stone Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets:

• Background: Consider your personal history and experiences that led you to pursue psychiatric nursing. What pivotal moments shaped your interest in this field?
• Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments in your academic and professional journey. Use metrics and outcomes to illustrate your responsibilities and the impact of your work.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your education or experience that this scholarship will help you bridge. Explain why further study is essential for your career in psychiatric nursing.
• Personality: Humanize your essay with personal anecdotes that illustrate your values and character. What unique perspectives do you bring to the field?

Creating an Outline

Structure your essay with a clear outline. Start with an engaging introduction that sets the scene or presents a moment that encapsulates your journey. Follow with sections dedicated to each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus and contributes to your overall narrative.

Drafting Voice and Style

Use an active voice throughout your essay to convey confidence and clarity. Avoid generic statements; instead, be specific about your experiences and insights. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, transitioning smoothly to the next to maintain logical flow.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, revisit your essay with a critical eye. Ensure that each section reflects not only what you have done but also what you learned and how it has shaped your commitment to psychiatric nursing. Answer the “So what?” question in each major section to emphasize the significance of your experiences.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Steer clear of clichés and vague statements that do not provide evidence of your achievements or motivations. Avoid passive voice, and ensure every claim is backed by specific examples. Lastly, do not invent details or facts; authenticity is crucial in making a strong impression on the committee.