Crafting Your Essay for the Evelyn Tompkins Memorial Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets: background, achievements, the gap, and personality.

• Background: Consider your personal history, influences, and experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Reflect on moments that highlight your commitment to your studies.
• Achievements: List your significant accomplishments, focusing on metrics and outcomes. Include leadership roles, academic honors, or community service that demonstrate your impact.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack in your education and why this scholarship is crucial for your future studies. Be specific about how it will help you achieve your goals.
• Personality: Humanize your essay with details that showcase your values, interests, and unique perspective. This could include hobbies, volunteer work, or personal challenges you've overcome.

Outline Your Essay

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

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or scene that introduces your story.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets. Use the STAR method to describe achievements and obstacles, ensuring you articulate the situation, task, action, and result.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how the scholarship will enable you to make a broader impact in your community or field.

Drafting Voice and Style

Write in an active voice and maintain a confident tone. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying you are passionate about your field, provide specific examples that illustrate your dedication. Ensure each paragraph presents a single idea and transitions logically to the next.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and review your essay. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences inform your future aspirations? Ensure your essay answers these questions clearly and compellingly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following mistakes:

• Avoid vague language and superlatives without evidence.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists.
• Steer clear of generic phrases and clichés that dilute your message.
• Ensure all facts about your experiences are accurate and verifiable.