How to Craft Your Essay for the Cleaveland/Price Inc. Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your life experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, cultural background, and significant events.
• Achievements: Identify your academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Use specific metrics or examples to illustrate your impact, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or awards received.
• The Gap: Assess what you currently lack in terms of skills or knowledge that further education will help you address. Be specific about how this scholarship will bridge that gap.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. This can include challenges you’ve faced and how they have influenced your goals.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered material, create a structured outline. Each section of your essay should correspond to one of the four buckets:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or story that hooks the reader.
2. Background: Provide context about your life and experiences.
3. Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments with specific examples.
4. The Gap: Discuss what you hope to gain from further education and how the scholarship plays a role.
5. Personality: Conclude with a reflection on your journey and your commitment to making an impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, use an active voice to convey your experiences and aspirations. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, focus on specific details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should center on a single idea, with clear transitions that guide the reader through your narrative.

Revision & “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and assess your work. Ensure each section answers the question, “So what?” What insights have you gained, and why do they matter? Revise for clarity, coherence, and emotional impact. Seek feedback from trusted peers or mentors to refine your essay further.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of several common pitfalls:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate experiences; authenticity is crucial.
• Steer clear of overly complex language; clarity should be your priority.
• Ensure you adhere to any word limits and submission guidelines.