How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay to Study Abroad?
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Getting scholarships is a great way to ease your financial burden of studying abroad. To get scholarships abroad, one has to submit a duly filled scholarship application along with a strong scholarship essay. A well-written scholarship essay gives students the edge over other applicants.
Scholarship essays are your chance to shine beyond grades and test scores. They give you a chance to showcase your unique voice, passions, and experiences apart from the ones mentioned in your scholarship application. But facing a blank page with the weight of a scholarship on your shoulders can be daunting. For this reason, we have come up with this article that helps you to write a winning scholarship essay to study abroad. This comprehensive guide equips you with useful strategies to craft a compelling essay that captures the attention of the scholarship committee.
Also Read:
- Top Fully funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad
- Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Steps to Writing a Scholarship Essay
Below are some steps to help you write a winning scholarship essay to study abroad.
Step 1: Understanding the Scholarship Theme/Prompt
Before diving into writing, take a deep breath and thoroughly dissect the scholarship essay prompt. Identify the key themes and what the committee wants to learn about you. Is it overcoming adversity? Demonstrating leadership potential? Or a specific academic interest? Understanding the prompt ensures your essay stays focused and relevant.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Step 2: Brainstorming Your Story
To write a compelling scholarship essay, you must unleash your creativity and jot down ideas that resonate with the prompt. Think about your academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or personal experiences that showcase your strengths and values. Don't be afraid to delve deeper. Did a particular project ignite your passion? How has a challenge shaped your perspective?
Step 3: Crafting a Compelling Narrative
- Hook the Scholarship Committee with the Introduction: Start with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a vivid anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement that sets the stage for your story.
- Show, Don't Tell: Don't simply list your achievements. Allow your essay to show the committee what makes you special through vivid descriptions, engaging dialogue, and specific examples. Let your experiences paint a picture of your growth and potential.
- Highlight Your Growth: Scholarship committees value growth. Showcase the challenges you faced, the skills you learned, and how the experience impacted you.
- Conclusion: Wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion that reiterates your key takeaways and reinforces why you deserve the scholarship. You can connect your experience back to the scholarship's goals or highlight your future aspirations.
Read More:
- Need-Based and Merit-Based Scholarships for Studying Abroad
- Google Scholarships 2024 for Indian Students
Additional Tips to Write the Scholarship Essay
Scholarship committees remain on the lookout for strong scholarship essays so, it is important that your essay is error-free and does not deviate from its main idea. To help you with the same, below are additional tips on writing a scholarship essay.
- Proofread and Edit: Typos and grammatical errors can leave a negative impression on the scholarship committee. Proofread your essay before submission and enlist a friend, family member, or writing centre tutor for a second pair of eyes.
- Stay True to Your Voice: While professionalism is essential, don't be afraid to inject your personality. Let your unique voice shine through in your writing style and word choice.
- Be Concise and Clear: Stick to the word limit and avoid unnecessary volumising content. Your essay should be clear, concise, and impactful.
- Research the Scholarship Provider: Learn about the scholarship's values and mission. Tailoring your essay to their vision demonstrates genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
Remember, scholarship committees are looking for passionate individuals who will make a difference. So, tell your story with confidence, showcase your strengths, and let your passion for your goals come through on the page. With these tips and a little dedication, you will be well on your way to crafting a winning scholarship essay!
Explore popular universities
This was all about how to write a scholarship essay to study abroad. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: Â How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Â How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
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