How to Craft Your Essay for the Bigelow Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Consider formative experiences that shaped your interest in horticulture. What moments or influences led you to pursue this field?
• Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments related to your studies or extracurricular activities. Use metrics and outcomes to demonstrate your impact. For instance, did you lead a project that increased plant yield by a certain percentage?
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack in knowledge or experience and explain how further study through this scholarship will help you bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal who you are. What values drive your passion for horticulture? Consider sharing anecdotes that illustrate your character and commitment.

Outline Your Essay

Creating a structured outline will help you organize your thoughts logically. Aim for a clear introduction, body, and conclusion:

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or story that draws the reader in. Set the stage for your journey in horticulture.
2. Body: Dedicate a section to each of the four buckets. Use clear topic sentences to guide the reader through your narrative.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and articulate your future aspirations. Why does this scholarship matter to you? How will it enable you to contribute to the field?

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and ensure clarity. Avoid vague statements; instead, provide specific examples that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea, with smooth transitions to guide the reader through your narrative.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and revise with fresh eyes. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. What does this reveal about you? How does it connect to your goals in horticulture? Ensure that your essay conveys not just what you have done, but why it matters.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid clichés and generic statements that do not add value to your narrative.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your actions and contributions.
• Do not fabricate details or embellish achievements; authenticity is crucial.