How to Craft a Winning Essay for the Sam & Nell Cunningham Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a compelling narrative, gather material across the following four buckets:

• Background: Consider your personal history, including family influences, community involvement, and pivotal moments that shaped your educational journey. What experiences led you to pursue higher education at Tallahassee State College?
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and commitment. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact, such as leadership roles, academic achievements, or community service initiatives.
• The Gap: Reflect on what you currently lack in your educational journey and how the scholarship will bridge that gap. Be honest about your needs and articulate how further study will enhance your capabilities.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values, interests, and motivations. Specific details about your character can help the committee connect with you on a human level.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, organize your thoughts into a clear outline. A typical structure might include:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that draws the reader in. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on a specific experience that illustrates your journey.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should cover one main idea, such as your background or a specific achievement. Use the STAR method to structure these sections, detailing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of your experiences.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how the scholarship will impact your future. Highlight your commitment to making a difference in your community or field of study.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, aim for an active voice that emphasizes your role in your achievements. Avoid passive constructions and bureaucratic language. Instead, focus on clear, direct sentences that convey your message effectively. Remember to maintain a reflective tone, addressing the “So what?” of your experiences and aspirations.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. This distance will help you view your work with fresh eyes. Look for areas where you can enhance clarity and impact. Ensure that each section answers the question of why your experiences matter. Ask yourself how each paragraph contributes to the overall narrative and whether it effectively communicates your goals and motivations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of the following mistakes:

• Avoid clichés in your opening. Instead of generic statements, start with a specific moment that captures your journey.
• Steer clear of vague language and empty expressions of passion. Use concrete examples and metrics to back up your claims.
• Do not rely on passive voice; always attribute actions to yourself to maintain agency in your narrative.