How to Craft Your Essay for the Dick Smith Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

To create a well-rounded essay, gather material from the following four buckets:

• Background: Reflect on your personal history and experiences that have shaped your identity. Consider significant moments that influenced your academic and career choices.
• Achievements: Identify key accomplishments in your academic and extracurricular life. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact, such as leadership roles, projects completed, or recognitions received.
• The Gap: Acknowledge what you currently lack in your education or experiences that further study can address. Be honest about your aspirations and how the scholarship will help you bridge this gap.
• Personality: Include humanizing details that showcase your values, interests, and unique perspectives. This could be anecdotes that reveal your character or motivations.

Creating an Outline

With your material gathered, outline your essay. A clear structure will help guide your writing:

1. Introduction: Start with a vivid scene or a specific moment that captures your journey. Avoid generic statements.
2. Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to a single idea, such as background, achievements, gap, or personality. Use transitions to ensure logical flow.
3. Conclusion: Reflect on how the scholarship will empower your future and contribute to your community. Reiterate your commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Drafting Voice and Style

As you draft your essay, maintain an active voice. Use concrete language and specific examples to engage the reader. Avoid clichés and vague expressions of passion. Instead, focus on demonstrating your enthusiasm through your experiences and aspirations. Remember to answer the “So what?” question in each section, explaining why your experiences matter.

Revision and “So What?”

After drafting, take a break before revising. Look for clarity and coherence in your essay. Ensure each paragraph contributes to your overall message and aligns with the scholarship's values. Seek feedback from peers or mentors, and be open to constructive criticism. Strengthen your reflections on your experiences and their significance.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Avoid starting with clichés or overly broad statements.
• Do not exaggerate or fabricate experiences—honesty is crucial.
• Steer clear of passive voice; keep your writing active and engaging.
• Ensure your essay stays focused on the prompt and avoids irrelevant tangents.