
Obtaining a scholarship is not easy. With each passing year,
scholarship applications get tougher, not only because of the number of students
applying, but also because of the competitive nature of it. Personal essays are
more than just a document which lists your personal achievements. It is the
first and therefore most important impression you are giving to the scholarship
board.
So if you are unsure on how to craft one, here are some tips
to bear in mind to include in your personal essay!
Express Yourself Well
Ditch jargons, big words that you could hardly pronounce, long
convoluted sentences and monitor the overall tone of your personal essay. You
want the scholarship board to understand your essay clearly without having to second-guess
your intentions, or get the feel of a McDonald’s commercial. So focus on
factual data, answering questions in detail, and giving thought-provoking and
intelligent responses. These are the things that will leave a good impression
on the scholarship board.
Showcase Your Passion
Apart from just showing that you are good at the books, be
sure to include your personal interests, and activities that you pursue outside
of school - volunteering, pursuing a black belt in a martial art or participating
in stand-up comedy competitions. While you might think that it is unnecessary,
this showcases strengths like all-roundedness and time management which are
traits that the scholarship board is also on the lookout for.
Last but not least, tie these strengths to how it drives you
to pursue the specific scholarship you are applying for. For an example, if you
volunteer at a retirement home and you are applying for a scholarship with the
Ministry of Social and Family Development, speak about how volunteering has
changed your perspective on life. Share more on how it has made you realise
that you want to pursue a career that has a higher calling and the ability to
help those who cannot help themselves.
Basic Fundamentals
Check, check and then check again. We cannot stress this
enough. Ensure that the spelling is perfect, grammar is on point and nuances to
certain words or phrases are properly understood and used. While commonly
overlooked, this basic and fundamental rule could be the trick that makes or
breaks your personal essay.
Good luck with writing your personal essay. We hope that you
get the call for the interview you so desire, and may the odds forever be in
your favor! By the way, scholarship-centric articles are not the only ones we
have, head on over here
for more.