Author
Pushpinder Bhatia
Alumni Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK
Strategies for Building an Exceptional Scholarship Profile for Pursuing Education Abroad
Attending a prestigious university is expensive, and not everyone can afford it; this shouldn't stop you from pursuing your educational goals. Universities provide a small number of students with financial aid in the form of scholarships. These awards may range from 5% to 100%. What is the key to obtaining the scholarship of your dreams and lessening the weight of your student loans? The correct response is a strong scholarship application!
You must submit a strong application whether you are vying for a scholarship from a university or an organisation. Something with the "Wow!" factor that persuades them that you are a qualified candidate and that providing you with this financial support would have a really positive outcome.
1. Competitive GPA
A University evaluates a student primarily based on their academic performance. If you want to be considered for an international study scholarship, you must have a strong GPA.
In addition, when a university reviews scholarship applications, your leadership abilities and originality stand out. That, combined with your employment history, volunteerism, abilities, etc., contributes to creating a complete and well-rounded profile.
Because of this, it's crucial to discuss and support your non-academic accomplishments in your scholarship application.
2. Showcase your uniqueness
Many of the applicants might have a better academic record than you do. You must identify and emphasise your unique selling proposition in front of the university admissions committee. So list your strengths first. Cite specific cases or examples that convincingly support your academic and professional history. You need to prioritise the factors supporting your success in the programme you want to enrol in.
A certification programme is one approach to demonstrating your strengths. You must classify your strengths into professional, academic, technical, or communication prowess. In order to provide yourself with a competitive advantage over other applicants in the same field, you must determine your USP.
3. Prepare a top-notch resume.
The University Committee must sift through countless submissions to choose qualified applicants for a certain programme. Make a strong CV that identifies your advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, this will assist in creating a solid student profile for your admissions.
The content on your resume should be more pertinent than what is on your university application. The summary should strengthen your application and give you still another chance to let universities assess your qualifications more favourably.
Use concise language and pay close attention to your grammar. Your CV should clearly outline your academic accomplishments. Add all your achievements, such as:
- Work Experience (if any)
- Extracurricular Activities
- Social Work or Services
- Research Publications
- Certifications
4. Work on your Scholarship Essay
Your application essay and cover letter must undoubtedly be of the greatest level. This involves making sure it is completely understandable and condensed, correctly formatted, captures the reader with an engaging opening, keeps the reader's attention on the core problem or topic, and has flawless spelling and grammar. Instead of merely proofreading it numerous times, ask a buddy to read it over and check for errors and any sentences that don't read as well as they could.
In order to be completely balanced, there shouldn't be either too little or too much. Your scholarship essay needs to be succinct, understandable, and not overly emotive. Verify that you are taking into account every point made in the instructions. No matter what you are writing, stay focused on your text's goal. Being realistic is also advantageous, but when discussing your achievements, take care not to come out as arrogant.
5. Answer all the essay questions.
Try to respond to all of the application form's questions and essay prompts to determine your eligibility for scholarships. The 'optional' part is frequently ignored by students. These little details increase a candidate's likelihood of receiving a scholarship. It provides you with an additional platform to discuss yourself and your hobbies. You have the opportunity to highlight your personal history, interests, and involvement in extracurricular activities in this section. Because of this, be sure to attempt to honestly answer the "optional" portion as well.
And that is how you build a great profile to be eligible for scholarships. Your hard work and determination will bag you great scholarships and an outstanding institution to study in. If you are confused about how to enrol into universities abroad, contact us today @MapMyStudy