Crafting Your Essay for the Walter and Deborah Banks Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Reflect on your personal journey. What experiences have shaped your educational path? Consider family influences, community involvement, or significant life events.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular life. Quantify your achievements with metrics where possible, such as GPA, leadership roles, or community service hours.
• The Gap: Assess what you currently lack and how further study at Broward College will help you bridge that gap. Be specific about the skills or knowledge you wish to gain and how they relate to your goals.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. What drives you? What unique perspectives do you bring?

Outlining Your Essay

Structure your essay to ensure clarity and flow. A suggested outline includes:

1. Introduction: Start with a concrete moment or scene that captures your journey or aspirations. Avoid generic statements.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they led you to Broward College.
3. Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments, emphasizing those that demonstrate leadership or impact.
4. The Gap: Clearly articulate what you hope to gain from your education and how it will enable you to contribute to your community.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your journey and express your commitment to making a difference, tying back to the scholarship’s purpose.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, use an active voice and be specific in your descriptions. Avoid clichés and vague expressions of passion. Instead, focus on tangible experiences and insights. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, ensuring a logical progression from one section to the next. Use transitions to guide the reader and maintain coherence throughout your essay.

Revision & “So What?”

After completing your draft, take a step back and review your work. Ask yourself, “So what?” after each major point. What changed in you as a result of your experiences? Why does this matter? Ensure that every section of your essay reflects personal growth and a commitment to future impact.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

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

• Avoid starting with clichés or generic statements.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate experiences; authenticity is crucial.
• Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your actions and contributions.
• Ensure your essay remains focused and cohesive; each paragraph should serve a clear purpose.