How to Craft Your Essay for the Pritzker Traubert Scholarship

Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets

Organize your thoughts into four material buckets: background, achievements, gap, and personality.

• Background: Reflect on formative experiences that have shaped your academic and personal journey. Consider challenges you’ve faced and how they influenced your goals.
• Achievements: List significant accomplishments, including academic honors, leadership roles, or community service. Quantify your impact where possible, such as the number of people you’ve helped or projects you’ve led.
• The Gap: Identify what you currently lack in your education or experience and explain how this scholarship will help you bridge that gap. Be specific about your academic and career aspirations.
• Personality: Infuse your essay with personal details that reveal your values, interests, and motivations. Use anecdotes to illustrate your character and commitment to your field.

Creating an Outline

Draft a structured outline based on your brainstorming. Organize your essay into clear sections that flow logically from one to the next. Each section should focus on a specific idea, ensuring clarity and coherence. Consider a narrative arc that showcases your journey, challenges, and aspirations.

Drafting Voice and Style

When drafting, use an active voice and maintain a reflective tone. Open with a compelling scene or moment that captures attention and sets the stage for your narrative. Avoid clichés and general statements; instead, focus on specific experiences and insights that illustrate your journey.

Revision and “So What?”

After completing your draft, take time to revise. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to your overall message and that your insights resonate with the scholarship's values. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your essay further.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Be mindful of common pitfalls. Avoid vague superlatives and empty expressions of passion. Do not invent facts or embellish experiences. Ensure that your essay remains authentic and reflective of your true self.