How to Craft Your Essay for the Paul Christian Gillespie Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts by exploring the four material buckets: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Reflect on your life experiences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant challenges you have faced.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular activities. Use metrics, such as grades, leadership roles, or community service hours, to quantify your impact.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you currently lack in your educational journey and how the scholarship will help you fill that gap. Be specific about your academic or financial needs.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that showcase your values, interests, and motivations. This will help the committee connect with you on a human level.

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline will help you organize your thoughts logically. Consider the following structure:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling in-scene moment or anecdote that captures your journey or motivation.
2. Body Paragraphs: Allocate one paragraph to each bucket. Make sure to include specific examples and reflections on how these experiences have shaped you.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on what receiving this scholarship would mean for you and your future goals. Reinforce your commitment to making a positive impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting your essay, use an active voice to convey your experiences and actions. Avoid clichés and abstract language. Instead, focus on concrete details and specific outcomes. For example, instead of saying "I have always wanted to help others," describe a situation where you made a tangible difference in someone's life.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and revise your essay with a critical eye. Ask yourself: “So what?” for each major point you make. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to your overall narrative and answers the scholarship committee's questions about your potential and aspirations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid vague statements and empty superlatives. Be specific about your achievements and experiences.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always identify the actor in your sentences.
• Do not invent facts or embellish your experiences. Authenticity is key to connecting with the committee.