Have trouble writing your scholarship personal statements? Worry No More!!!
Scholarships are a relief for anyone looking to study, start a career, or advance in their profession. Many individuals and organizations offer scholarships of varying options which could either be full or partial.
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However, something common amongst all these organisations is the required proof that applicants truly deserve the opportunity. This proof is often provided in the form of an essay, known as a scholarship personal statement.
In this post, we will provide you with a guide on How To Write Scholarship Personal Statement as well some expert tips on what it should contain.
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What is a Scholarship Personal Statement?
Simply put, a scholarship personal statement is an essay that expresses who you are and why you should be considered for a scholarship.
It is termed “personal” because it is all about you as an applicant. It is an avenue for the scholarship host to know you especially if it is a selection criteria for the scholarship.
Why Should You Write a Good Scholarship Statement?
A good scholarship personal statement is a summary of who you are, your achievements, potential, and abilities. The following are the reasons your essay needs to be convincing one.
- Writing a good scholarship statement give you an edge over other scholarship applicants.
- It helps the selection committee understand your need for the scholarship, and attend to it accordingly.
- It makes helps you win the selection team’s heart.
Format of a Good Scholarship Statement
A good scholarship statement should have a compelling introduction, an expressive and informative body, and a convincing conclusion.
- Introduction
Here, introduce yourself, stating your name, origin, aspirations, and your unique struggles. Be concise and straightforward.
- Body
Paragraph 1: This is where you give full details of your aspirations, expressing why you are the best candidate for the scholarship. What were your achievements, your leadership skill, community contributions, your work experience, experiences, and other good qualities? What were your setbacks, and how did you overcome them?
Paragraph 2: Here, discuss the connection between your goals and the scholarship opportunity. Explain your future aspirations and the significance of this scholarship on achieving them. Be explicit while hitting the nail on the head.
- Conclusion
The success of your application lies here, so be as convincing as you can ever be. Summarise all you’ve said about your goals and aspirations, the impact of the scholarship on your progress, and how fulfilled you’ll be if your application gets considered.
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11 Questions Your Personal Statement Must Answer
When writing a scholarship personal statement, bear in mind to provide answers to the following questions;
- Who am I?
- What is unique to me?
- What are my goals?
- Why do I need a scholarship?
- What matters to me?
- What are my previous achievements and how can I capitalize on them?
- How will this scholarship make me better?
- What was the most difficult part of my life, and how was I able to overcome it?
- What skills have I achieved outside school that makes me qualified candidate?
- How will the scholarship help you achieve your Sims?
- What inspired your career choice?
Expert Tips on Writing Good Personal Statement
- Brainstorm well before writing. Do not just write, be intentional about every detail in your personal statement. After brainstorming, prepare an outline, detailing the great ideas that ran through your mind, and how you want them arranged in order.
- Do not copy anyone’s statement. The greatest mistake you’ll make in applying for a scholarship or any other opportunity is to impersonate someone else. Your story is unique to you alone, so write from your experience and state your goals.
- Revise and edit your work after writing. Do not turn in an unedit statement, they may contain grammatical errors, and you do not want your application rejected. Hence, edit before you turn in your personal statement.
- Use active verbs, not passive verbs. For instance, use expressions like, My father inspired my love for Engineering.
- Learn about the scholarship you’re applying for. This helps you align the vision of the scholarship with your goals in your writeup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Personal Statement
- Using clichés.
- Submitting an unedited statement
- Unnecessary use of advanced vocabulary.
- Unnecessary repetition.
- Being generic, instead of being specific.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Personal Statements
- How many words should a personal statement contain?
A personal statement should be a minimum of 200 words.
- Is a personal statement the same as a statement of purpose?
No. A personal statement explains why you are the right candidate for a program, while a statement of purpose explains why you want to study a particular course.
- Can I sign at the end of my scholarship personal statement?
No. Signature is not needed at the end of a scholarship personal statement.
- How to write introduction (first paragraph) for a scholarship personal statement
The first paragraph of your personal statement should express who you are, and why you’re applying for the scholarship. Briefly describe your academic goals, the set backs you’ve faced, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Ensure to write in concise terms.
- Can I apply for scholarships without personal statement?
While some scholarships do not require a personal statement, some of them do as it helps selection teams decide those deserving of the scholarship.
Scholarship Personal Statement Samples
We have provided several samples of personal statements in the link below.
Please ensure to write your essay in line with the requirements of the scholarship or opportunity you are applying for.
Make sure to also tailor your personal statement to align with the mission of the scholarship; this increases your considerability and suitability for the scholarship.
Use the link below to download the scholarship personal statement samples.
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