How to Write Your Essay for the Our Lady of Lourdes Health Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider your personal journey. What experiences have shaped your desire to pursue a career in health? Reflect on any challenges you have faced and how they have influenced your educational aspirations.
• Achievements: Identify specific accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment to health and education. Include metrics or outcomes where possible, such as volunteer hours, leadership roles, or relevant coursework.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you currently lack in your educational journey. Explain how the Our Lady of Lourdes Health Scholarship will help bridge that gap. Be specific about the resources or opportunities you need to advance your studies.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your values and character. What drives you? What unique perspectives do you bring to the field of health?

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, create an outline to organize your thoughts. A suggested structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or in-scene description that highlights your passion for health.
2. Background: Share your journey and experiences that have shaped your aspirations.
3. Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments relevant to your educational goals.
4. The Gap: Discuss what you need to succeed and how the scholarship will support you.
5. Personality: Conclude with reflections on your values and future contributions to the health field.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, use an active voice to convey your ideas clearly. Avoid clichés and vague statements; instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, with smooth transitions to guide the reader through your narrative. Remember to reflect on what you learned from your experiences and why those lessons matter.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After drafting, take the time to revise your essay. Look for opportunities to deepen your reflections. Ask yourself, “So what?” after each section to ensure that you are conveying the significance of your experiences and aspirations. This reflection will strengthen your essay and make it more impactful.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

As you finalize your essay, be mindful of these common pitfalls:

• Avoid generic statements that do not provide insight into your unique journey.
• Steer clear of overly complex language or jargon that may confuse the reader.
• Do not exaggerate accomplishments or invent experiences; authenticity is key.