How to Write Your Essay for the Alaska Curiosity Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Material Buckets

To create a compelling essay, gather material from the following four buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your upbringing, key experiences, and influences that have shaped your educational journey. Consider moments that sparked your curiosity or motivated you to pursue higher education.
• Achievements: Identify significant accomplishments in your academic, extracurricular, or volunteer activities. Use metrics or specific outcomes to quantify your impact, such as leadership roles or projects that demonstrate your initiative.
• The Gap: Assess what you currently lack in terms of knowledge or resources and how the scholarship will help bridge that gap. Be specific about your educational goals and how they connect to your future aspirations.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal anecdotes that reveal your values and character. Share stories that highlight your resilience, curiosity, or commitment to making a difference.

Creating an Outline

Once you have gathered your material, outline your essay to ensure a logical flow. A suggested structure includes:

1. Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or anecdote that draws the reader in.
2. Background: Provide context about your experiences and motivations.
3. Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments and their significance.
4. The Gap: Discuss what you hope to achieve with the scholarship and why it matters.
5. Personality: Share personal insights that connect your story to your future goals.
6. Conclusion: Reinforce your commitment to using the scholarship for meaningful impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft, maintain an active voice and be precise in your language. Avoid clichés and generalizations; instead, focus on specific details that illustrate your points. Each paragraph should center around one main idea, ensuring clarity and coherence throughout your essay.

Revision and the “So What?” Factor

After completing your draft, revisit each section to assess its impact. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each major point. This reflection will help you clarify why your experiences and aspirations matter, both to you and to the scholarship committee. Look for opportunities to enhance your narrative by adding depth and specificity.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with vague statements or clichés. Instead, begin with a specific moment that illustrates your journey.
• Steer clear of empty expressions of passion without evidence. Demonstrate your commitment through concrete examples.
• Do not use passive voice; keep your writing active and engaging.
• Ensure all facts are accurate and verifiable; do not invent experiences or achievements.