Revise and Submit Your Application

Ideally, once you’ve received your initial feedback, you’ll take a day to reflect upon it. After digesting your coach’s input, you will revise your application.  Finally, you’ll share your revised application with your coach and ask for additional feedback. Even if you don’t have time for multiple iterations, you should definitely go through at least two revision cycles:

• Review for Content:

- Logic - "I don't understand how this specific environmental education program will lead to a reduction in global warming."

- Clarity - "I can't figure out what your environmental classes will actually teach."

- Persuasion - "I don't see the need to open a new environmental organization."

• Review for Style:

- Jargon - "What does 'value-added post-assessment score' mean?"

- Mechanics - "There's too much passive voice in your application."

- Spelling - "'Polution' is spelled incorrectly."

Keep in mind that, while any good coach will be able to perform the content review, you may need to seek an additional coach for the style review, depending on your coach’s writing and editing skills. If you need to look elsewhere, try asking a friend whose writing you admire or an English teacher.

Once you’ve gone through the review process, take one final look at your tools. Then, look at your application to see if you’ve captured the essence of the things you learned throughout the process. If you can honestly say that your application represents your very best thinking and writing on your idea, it’s finally time to submit your application. Otherwise, go back to your application and make sure that it reflects all of the hard work and deep thought you put into the coaching process. Ultimately, your application should be a statement of purpose that can make both you and the community you serve proud!

Next - Tool 1: Problem Definition