How to Craft Your Essay for the Maria Flewellen Mikel Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a well-rounded essay, explore the following material buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history. What experiences have shaped your educational journey? Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant life events.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments that demonstrate your capabilities. Use metrics where applicable—such as leadership roles, academic honors, or contributions to projects—to provide concrete evidence of your impact.
• The Gap: Recognize what you lack in your current educational experience. How will this scholarship help you bridge that gap? Be specific about the skills or knowledge you seek to gain.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your values and character. What motivates you? What are your passions? This is your chance to connect with the committee on a human level.

Outlining Your Essay

Once you have gathered your material, create an outline. Organize your thoughts logically, ensuring that each section flows into the next. A suggested structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or anecdote that captures attention.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to one of the four buckets, ensuring each section reflects on your growth and insights.
3. Conclusion: Reiterate your commitment to your educational goals and how the scholarship will facilitate your journey.

Drafting with Purpose

As you draft, focus on clarity and active voice. Avoid clichés and vague statements. Instead of saying, “I have always been passionate about education,” you might share a specific moment that ignited your passion, such as a teaching experience or a project you led. Ensure each paragraph has a clear purpose and contributes to your overall narrative.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, take time to revise. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each major point. What does this reveal about you? How does it connect to your future goals? Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain perspective on clarity and impact.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with broad statements or clichés that do not engage the reader.
• Steer clear of vague language; instead, provide specific examples and measurable outcomes.
• Do not use passive voice when an active subject exists; this weakens your narrative.
• Ensure you do not invent facts or embellish your experiences; authenticity is key.