How to Craft Your Essay for the George D. McCoy Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider your personal journey with hemophilia or how it has impacted your life. Reflect on formative experiences that shaped your perspective.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments, whether academic, extracurricular, or community-related. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics or outcomes when possible.
• The Gap: Analyze what skills or knowledge you currently lack and how further education will help bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals.
• Personality: Share personal anecdotes that reveal your values, character, and motivations. This is your chance to humanize your application.

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline can help ensure your essay flows logically. Start with an engaging introduction that draws the reader in. Follow with body paragraphs that each focus on one of the four buckets. Conclude with a strong closing that reinforces your commitment to making a positive impact in the hemophilia community.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, aim for an active voice and clear, concise language. Begin with a specific moment or experience that encapsulates your journey. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, focus on concrete details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should present a single idea, with transitions that guide the reader smoothly from one thought to the next.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and review your essay critically. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What insights have you gained? How do your experiences connect to the scholarship's purpose? Ensure that your reflections highlight your growth and your potential contributions to the community.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes that can weaken your essay:

• Avoid starting with generic statements or clichés that do not add value.
• Steer clear of vague language that lacks specificity; instead, use concrete examples.
• Do not rely on passive voice; ensure that your writing is dynamic and engaging.
• Lastly, do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is key.