How to Write Your Essay for the Donald Lawson Tisdel Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a well-rounded essay, gather material across these four categories:

• Background: Consider your personal history with tennis and education. What experiences have shaped your passion for the sport and your academic journey?
• Achievements: List your accomplishments in tennis and academics. Include specific metrics, such as tournament wins, leadership roles, or academic awards, to demonstrate your dedication and success.
• The Gap: Identify any gaps in your current experience or education. What specific knowledge or skills do you hope to gain through further study at the United States Tennis Association?
• Personality: Humanize your essay with personal anecdotes or values. What drives you? What challenges have you overcome that illustrate your character?

Creating an Outline

Your outline should reflect a logical flow of ideas. Start with an engaging introduction that presents a moment or scene related to your tennis journey. Then, organize your essay into sections that address each of the four buckets, ensuring that each paragraph focuses on one main idea. Conclude with a strong statement about your future aspirations and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, use an active voice to convey your experiences and insights. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, be specific about your achievements and reflections. Aim for clarity and conciseness, ensuring that each sentence adds value to your narrative. Remember to show growth and learning throughout your essay.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your work. Consider the “So what?” question for each section: What have you learned, and why does it matter? This reflection will help you clarify your motivations and the impact you wish to make. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your essay further.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be aware of these common mistakes:

• Using vague language or superlatives without evidence.
• Failing to connect your personal story to the scholarship’s goals.
• Neglecting to proofread for grammar and clarity.
• Relying on clichés or generic statements that do not reflect your unique voice.