Crafting Your Essay for the Dr. Noelle Olson Memorial Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather your thoughts and experiences by exploring the following four material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, education, and experiences that have shaped your identity and aspirations. Consider significant moments that have influenced your academic and personal journey.
• Achievements: List your accomplishments, focusing on metrics or outcomes. Include leadership roles, projects, or initiatives where you made a measurable impact.
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek growth or knowledge. Explain how the scholarship will help you bridge these gaps, enhancing your ability to contribute meaningfully in your field.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with humanizing details that reveal your values and character. Share anecdotes that illustrate your resilience, creativity, or commitment to community.

Outline Your Essay

Structure your essay to ensure clarity and flow. A suggested outline includes:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or story that captures your journey. This sets the stage for your narrative.
2. Background: Provide context about your experiences and influences. Highlight how these shaped your goals.
3. Achievements: Discuss specific accomplishments, using the STAR method to detail your role and the impact of your efforts.
4. The Gap: Clearly articulate what you hope to achieve through further study and how the scholarship will facilitate this.
5. Personality: Conclude with reflections on your journey, emphasizing your commitment to making a difference.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and focus on specificity. Avoid vague statements; instead, use concrete details and examples to illustrate your points. Reflect on what you’ve learned from your experiences and why they matter in the broader context of your goals.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, revisit your essay with a critical eye. Ensure each section answers the question “So what?”—reflect on how your experiences and aspirations connect to the scholarship's mission. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to refine your message and clarity.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid clichés and vague expressions that do not add value to your narrative. Ensure that all facts and experiences are genuine and verifiable. Steer clear of passive voice and bureaucratic language, opting instead for clear, direct communication that highlights your unique voice.