How to Write Your Loop13.org Scholarship Essay

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Gather material for your essay by exploring four key areas:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history, including experiences that shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, challenges you've faced, or pivotal moments that directed you toward higher education.
• Achievements: List your academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Include specific metrics, such as GPA, projects completed, or leadership roles held, and describe the impact of these achievements on your community or personal growth.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack and how the scholarship will help you bridge that gap. Discuss your educational goals and why attending Austin Community College is essential for your future.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes and values that reflect who you are. This could include your interests, motivations, and what drives you to succeed.

Creating an Outline

Organize your thoughts into a coherent structure. A suggested outline could be:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or story that captures the reader's attention.
2. Background: Share your personal narrative and experiences.
3. Achievements: Highlight significant accomplishments and their relevance.
4. The Gap: Explain your educational goals and the importance of the scholarship.
5. Personality: Conclude with reflections on your values and aspirations.

Drafting Voice

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice and specific language. Avoid vague statements and clichés. Instead of saying, “I am passionate about education,” provide concrete examples of how you have demonstrated this passion. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and logically transition to the next.

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and revise your work. Ensure that each section answers the question, “So what?” Reflect on what changed in you through your experiences and why it matters to the scholarship committee. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain additional perspectives.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and overused phrases that dilute your message.
• Steer clear of passive voice when describing your actions.
• Ensure all information is accurate and reflective of your true experiences.