Scholarships are an
undeniable boon. They’re also immensely helpful in making university accessible
to students everywhere. As such, it may not surprise you to note that,
depending on the scholarship you’re applying for, you may be facing some
intense competition.
Students these days are becoming increasingly prudent about their finances. Learning how to make your application stand out is more crucial than ever. Here are some ways you can craft a scholarship application that will leave a lasting impression.
1. Write a good essay
The most surefire way to stand out from the crowd when applying for a scholarship is to write a solid scholarship essay. It’s your best chance at showing your audience who you really are beyond your academic qualifications and professional experience and why you deserve the scholarship over everyone else.
A compelling essay usually begins with a strong hook. Begin with a story or memory that is both memorable and concise. Be creative, but don’t meander without relevance. Note that you should answer the question asked authentically, in a way that only you will be able to. It’s also vital that you pay close attention to whether it’s formatted as per the guidelines provided.
Remember that the panel of people who will be reading your essay has likely read several. What can you add that will make them stop and take notice?
2. Have your recommendation letters ready
Many students collect
recommendation letters from employers, teachers, and others as soon as they
start applying to university. However, if you want them to be useful to your
scholarship applications, these letters have to be crafted specifically with your
scholarship in mind.
It’s important that you
ensure the person writing your recommendation letter is aware of the
scholarship criteria and incorporates them as seamlessly as possible. It might
be helpful to provide them with a template to work around. Remember to begin
the process earlier so that the people providing you with your letters have
ample time to write them in an effective and well-polished manner.
3. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Self-reflection is key to
getting your desired results. It’s essential that you are aware of your own
strengths and weaknesses and know how to highlight the former over the latter
when applying for scholarships. Understand where your academic accolades are
relevant and where you should let your personal accomplishments shine through.
Remember to be honest and authentic while also talking up your achievements.
4. Be specific and personal
A scholarship application
is a prime opportunity to detail personalised and relevant stories about
yourself. You want to ensure that you’re giving sufficient anecdotal evidence
about why you deserve the award. Emphasise the things you’ve done and the way
they have changed you for the better.
You can even expound upon
your experiences with other people and how they’ve helped to shape you into the
person you are today. The stories you share should be specific, not vague and
detached. They can either be representative of one incident or a particular
time in your life. Ultimately, the anecdote must depict a lesson you’ve learnt
or an underlying theme that is pertinent to the scholarship.
5. Check to see if you’ve made any mistakes
Ensure that you have read
through your application multiple times before sending it in. No matter how
pitch-perfect you think your application is, it doesn’t hurt to proofread it
just one more time. After all, financial aid for your academic pursuits is
nothing to scoff at. You will want to show the person reading your application
that you have allotted this task the seriousness and meticulousness it
deserves.
After completing the
application, read the questions and your answers aloud. Doing so helps solidify
your understanding – or lack thereof. If you find yourself confused about what
you’ve written, you might benefit from some rewrites or edits.
It could also help if you
have a fresh pair of eyes to go through the application. The other person is
more likely to point out any typos or errors you’ve made and provide valuable
feedback. Knowing that you’ve done everything you can goes a long way to
ease your mind once you hit “submit”.
Conclusion
Applying for a scholarship
can be a long-winded and stressful endeavour. That doesn’t mean you need to
compromise on the quality of your application. Stand out from the crowd right
from the get-go by following the aforementioned tips.
BrightSparks offers a
myriad of useful tips and resources for those looking to apply for scholarships
and further their academic journey!
