How to Write Your Essay for the ITServe Alliance Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Material Buckets

To create a compelling essay, gather material across four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. Consider experiences that have shaped your educational and career aspirations. What challenges have you overcome? How have these experiences influenced your desire to pursue your studies at MassBay?
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular life. Use specific metrics or examples, such as projects completed, grades achieved, or leadership roles held. How have these achievements prepared you for future success?
• The Gap: Acknowledge any gaps in your experience or education that this scholarship could help fill. Be honest about what you lack and articulate how further study at MassBay will bridge these gaps and enhance your skills.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your character and values. What motivates you? What are your passions? Specific anecdotes can help the committee connect with you on a human level.

Outline Your Essay

Organize your thoughts into a coherent outline. A typical structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that captures your journey or aspirations. Avoid generic statements.
2. Background: Discuss your personal history and formative experiences.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for further study.
4. The Gap: Explain the areas where you seek growth and how the scholarship will facilitate this.
5. Personality: Share insights into your values and motivations, using specific examples.
6. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and express your commitment to making a positive impact in your field.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, use an active voice to convey your experiences and aspirations. Each paragraph should focus on one idea, ensuring clarity and logical progression. Avoid vague language; instead, be specific and accountable in your claims. For example, instead of saying you are passionate about technology, describe a project where you applied your skills to solve a problem.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, revisit your essay with a critical eye. Ask yourself, “So what?” after each major point. Ensure that each section reflects not only what you have done but also why it matters. How do your experiences and aspirations align with the goals of the scholarship? Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your message and improve clarity.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common pitfalls in scholarship essays:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is crucial.
• Steer clear of overly complex language that obscures your message.
• Ensure that your essay adheres to any specified guidelines regarding length and formatting.