How to Craft Your Essay for the Jack and Cece Hartman Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To structure your essay effectively, gather material across four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, key life experiences, and influences that have shaped your educational and career goals. Consider moments that ignited your passion for learning or community involvement.
• Achievements: List significant accomplishments, focusing on metrics and outcomes. Include leadership roles, projects you initiated, or challenges you overcame. Use specific numbers or results to illustrate your impact.
• The Gap: Identify areas where you seek growth. Explain why further study at Loyola University Chicago is essential for you to bridge these gaps and achieve your future goals.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reflect your values and character. Share anecdotes that reveal your motivations and aspirations, making your narrative relatable and engaging.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create a structured outline. Organize your ideas logically, ensuring each section flows into the next. A typical structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling scene or moment that captures attention.
2. Background: Share your formative experiences and influences.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments with specific examples.
4. The Gap: Discuss what you aim to learn and how Loyola fits into that vision.
5. Personality: End with a reflection on your values and future aspirations, connecting back to your introduction.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and specific language. Avoid generic statements and clichés; instead, focus on genuine experiences that illustrate your journey. Each paragraph should center on one idea, with transitions that guide the reader through your narrative. Remember to reflect on what you learned from each experience and why it matters.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, take a break before revising. Look for clarity and coherence in your writing. Each section should answer the “So what?” question, reflecting on the significance of your experiences and aspirations. Seek feedback from peers or mentors, and be open to constructive criticism. Ensure your final draft is polished, free of errors, and effectively communicates your unique story.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or vague statements about passion.
• Steer clear of passive voice; use active constructions to convey your agency.
• Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is crucial.
• Resist the urge to include excessive details that do not serve your narrative.