How to Write Your Essay for the Edwards Family Baseball Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts by exploring the four material buckets: Background, Achievements, The Gap, and Personality.

• Background: What experiences have shaped your passion for baseball and education? Think about key moments or influences in your life.
• Achievements: Identify specific accomplishments in academics and baseball. Include metrics, leadership roles, and any relevant awards.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in terms of resources or opportunities. How does this scholarship fit into your educational journey?
• Personality: Share humanizing details that showcase your values and character. What makes you unique as a student and athlete?

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline will help ensure your essay flows logically. Consider the following format:

1. Introduction: Start with a specific moment that highlights your connection to baseball and education.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets, ensuring each section reflects on what you learned and how it shaped your goals.
3. Conclusion: Reinforce your commitment to your education and how the scholarship will help you make an impact in your community.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting 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 journey. Each paragraph should present a single idea, supported by evidence from your life. Remember to reflect on the significance of each experience—answer the question, “So what?”

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. Look for clarity, coherence, and engagement. Ensure each section connects back to your main theme and answers the prompt directly. Ask yourself how your experiences have prepared you for future challenges and how the scholarship will facilitate your growth.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following pitfalls:

• Using clichés or generic statements that do not reflect your unique journey.
• Neglecting to provide specific examples or metrics that demonstrate your achievements.
• Failing to connect your background and aspirations to the scholarship’s purpose.