How to Craft Your Essay for the Eastern Illinois Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a well-rounded essay, gather material across the following four buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your experiences that have shaped your interest in law enforcement. Consider pivotal moments, influences, or challenges you have faced.
• Achievements: Identify specific accomplishments relevant to your academic or extracurricular pursuits. Use metrics or outcomes, such as leadership roles or community projects, to illustrate your impact.
• The Gap: Assess your current educational status and what you aim to achieve through further study. Clearly articulate how this scholarship will help bridge the gap between your current situation and your future goals.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal insights. Share anecdotes that reveal your values and character, ensuring they resonate with the scholarship's mission.

Creating an Outline

Organize your thoughts into a coherent outline. Each section of your essay should focus on one key idea, transitioning smoothly from one to the next. Consider starting with a compelling anecdote or moment that captures your journey, followed by your background, achievements, the gap, and concluding with your aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, maintain an active voice and a reflective tone. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on specific details that illustrate your points. Remember to answer the “So what?” question in each section—reflect on how your experiences have shaped your goals and why they matter to the committee.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your work. Ensure each paragraph contributes to a clear narrative. Look for opportunities to deepen your reflections and clarify your motivations. Ask yourself how each experience has informed your commitment to law enforcement and community service.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following pitfalls when writing your essay:

• Avoid clichés and vague expressions of passion. Instead, provide concrete examples that demonstrate your commitment.
• Steer clear of passive voice. Use active voice to convey your actions and responsibilities clearly.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements. Authenticity is crucial in creating a trustworthy narrative.