How to Write an Essay for the Colonel Aaron Burgstein Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts by exploring the four material buckets: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Reflect on experiences that have shaped your interest in air and space forces. Consider family influences, educational experiences, or pivotal moments that sparked your passion.
• Achievements: List significant accomplishments, particularly those related to leadership, teamwork, or community service. Use metrics where possible, such as the number of projects led or awards received.
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek growth through further study. Explain how the scholarship will help you bridge this gap and achieve your educational and career aspirations.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. Specific stories can illustrate your commitment and resilience.

Outline Your Essay

Creating a clear outline will help ensure your essay flows logically. Start with an engaging introduction that presents a moment or experience that captures your connection to the air and space forces. Follow this with sections that address each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph has a clear main idea. Conclude with a strong closing that reinforces your commitment to making a positive impact in this field.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on specificity. Instead of stating general passions, provide concrete examples that demonstrate your dedication and skills. Avoid clichés and ensure each sentence adds value to your narrative. Aim for clarity and precision in your writing, making sure your unique voice shines through.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take time to revise your essay critically. Ask yourself what changed in you through the experiences you described and why it matters. Each section should answer the question, “So what?” This reflection will deepen your narrative and make it more compelling to the committee.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of several common pitfalls:

• Avoid vague statements and generalizations. Specificity is key to engaging the reader.
• Do not use clichés or boilerplate phrases that can dilute your unique voice.
• Ensure all facts and experiences are truthful and verifiable; do not invent details.
• Steer clear of passive voice; instead, focus on active constructions that highlight your agency.