Simple Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your MOU

February 17, 2017

We get it. After a lengthy application process, scrambling to find a host site and scraping together a coherent MOU, the last thing you want to do is sweat the small stuff. But today we are here to tell you that simple mistakes don’t go unnoticed.

The fellowship is all about dedication, effort, and putting in that extra 110%, right? So why would we expect anything other than that in your MOU? The MOU is a short but important document that is supposed to represent your best work. We know you have it in you, and that you’re here to rock it. So here’s a short list of common mistakes we see so that you can easily avoid them.

Writing your MOU by hand

Make sure you type your MOU instead of writing it by hand. Of course, your signature and your host site supervisor’s signature need to be handwritten. Please, when we ask for a typed MOU, we mean it! If you don’t own a computer, places like your public library, university library, or internet cafe are all available to you.

Not reading the MOU guidelines

This mistake could be the difference between submitting 1 draft and submitting 4 drafts. Read the MOU thoroughly and internalize the practice of setting SMART goals. (If you don’t know what that means, it’s all in the MOU guidelines.) MOU’s without SMART goals will require further revision.

Vague essay answers

Show us you are putting effort in the MOU through thoughtful essay answers that are at least 5 sentences. As we said before, this fellowship is all about putting in that extra effort and being committed. Show us you are up to the task by putting thought and effort in your essay answers.

If writing isn’t your strong suit, talk it over with a friend or with us, so you can get at the heart of why this fellowship matters to you and figure out how to best articulate it. A helpful exercise to do is have a friend ask you “why?” repeatedly so that your explanations get more and more in depth.

Leaving boxes blank

You should be filling in all the boxes in the MOU. If we ask for certain information, it’s because we need it. Remember that this document is the basis for your entire fellowship, so make sure you are detail-oriented about completing it.

Not submitting the MOU properly

We need to receive a scanned version of your typed MOU, with handwritten signatures from both you and your host site supervisor. If you don’t have access to a scanner, there are a variety of free scanner apps you can download onto your smartphone. Print shops, public libraries and university libraries usually have scanners as well.

“Typos Happne”

See what we did there? It happens to the best of us. To ensure you are putting your best foot forward, read and re-read your MOU carefully to make sure there are no “careless errors” in spelling, grammar, and typing. For something like this, even if you are a confident writer, make sure at least one other person proofreads your MOU. For realsies.

Report for duty in your community with The Mission Continues. Serve with a Service Platoon at an upcoming service event near you or apply for a fellowship. You can learn more about our programs on our website and stay updated on the latest news and announcements on Facebook and twitter.