How to Write an Essay for the Wilford Family Endowed Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

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

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, experiences, and influences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider specific moments that sparked your interest in your field of study.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular life. Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate your impact, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or awards received.
• The Gap: Think about what you currently lack in your education and how this scholarship will help bridge that gap. Be honest about your financial needs and how they affect your academic pursuits.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that highlight your values, motivations, and aspirations. Specific anecdotes can help paint a vivid picture of who you are.

Creating an Outline

Organize your thoughts into a clear outline. A suggested structure could be:

1. Introduction: Start with a compelling moment or scene that draws the reader in.
2. Background: Discuss your formative experiences and how they shaped your educational goals.
3. Achievements: Highlight significant accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for further study.
4. The Gap: Explain your current challenges and how the scholarship will address them.
5. Conclusion: Reflect on your future and the impact you hope to make with the education this scholarship will support.

Drafting Voice

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

Revision & “So What?”

After drafting, take a step back and revise with a critical eye. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section of your essay. Ensure that every detail contributes to your overall narrative and reinforces your case for why you deserve this scholarship. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain different perspectives.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When writing your essay, steer clear of the following:

• Cliché Openers: Avoid starting with overused phrases or general statements.
• Vague Language: Be specific in your achievements and aspirations; avoid empty expressions of passion.
• Passive Voice: Use active voice to create a stronger connection with the reader.
• Invented Facts: Ensure all details are truthful and verifiable.