How to Craft Your Essay for the Enlisted Association Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets to ensure a comprehensive essay:

• Background: Consider your upbringing, influences, and experiences that have shaped who you are today. Think about your connection to the National Guard and how it has impacted your life.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic and personal life. Focus on measurable outcomes, leadership roles, or community service that demonstrate your commitment and capability.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your education or experience and how this scholarship will bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how they relate to your future aspirations.
• Personality: Share humanizing details that showcase your values, interests, and motivations. This could include hobbies, personal challenges, or unique perspectives that make you a compelling candidate.

Outlining Your Essay

Your essay should have a clear structure. Start with an engaging introduction that sets the stage for your story. Follow with body paragraphs that delve into each of the four buckets, ensuring each paragraph focuses on a single idea. Conclude by summarizing your journey and reiterating how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, use an active voice to create a sense of immediacy and engagement. Avoid clichés and instead focus on specific moments that illustrate your points. Open with a scene or a pivotal moment that captures your journey, rather than stating your intentions. Reflect on what you learned from your experiences and why they matter.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. Read your essay with fresh eyes and ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to the overall narrative and that you clearly articulate the significance of your experiences. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain different perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoid generalizations and vague statements that do not provide evidence of your claims. Steer clear of passive voice and bureaucratic language that may dilute your message. Lastly, ensure that all details in your essay are truthful and verifiable, as fabricating experiences can disqualify your application.