How to Write Personal Statement for Scholarship

Knowing how to write personal statement for scholarship is critical in moving your career to the next level. In fact, a scholarship will not only offer you the opportunity of career development but also higher chances of employment. Continue reading for more insights on how to easily write an outstanding personal statement for scholarship.

The best way to start planning how to write personal statement for scholarship is defining what a personal statement is. A personal statement is an essay that is written to describe your skills, experiences, interests and ambitions. In the case of writing one for scholarship, you will be required to describe yourself in a way that can convince the admission committee to consider your application for the program.

Although it is argued that there is no single formula for writing personal statements, it should be noted that such essays are more like academic papers and are meant to test your skills in various aspects. This implies you need to effectively master the art of how to write personal statement for scholarship in order to be successful.

Writing a good and unique personal statement for scholarship will make you stand out among high-achieving individuals. Besides, mastering the art can also significantly enhance your writing skills in various areas.

Guidelines on how to write personal statement for scholarship

Writing a personal statement for scholarship requires you to describe yourself in a way that shows you are best suited for the particular program applied for. Relevance to the subject of the essay is quite important and should always be clearly portrayed in the statement.

The following are more tips to assist you on how to write personal statement for scholarship

Go through the qualifications for the scholarship

Today, there are lots of scholarship opportunities for people who might want to further their studies. However, this does not mean that you can just apply for any provided that you have the need for career enhancement.

Before you even get to the point of writing the personal statement, it is advisable to carefully study the application form to determine whether you meet the requirements. Find out the particular programs offered in the scholarship to ascertain whether they match your interests.

While reading the qualifications, it is also important to check whether the personal statement is a comprehensive or specific response statement. A comprehensive personal statement is whereby you are not given specific instructions on what to cover in the essay.

In a specific response personal statement, you will be given questions to answer while writing the essay.

The above considerations are important in enabling you to understand what is required in writing the personal statement.

Critically analyze yourself

Although a personal statement takes the format of an essay, the content is quite different. In writing the paper, you need to show the readers or admission committee that you truly understand yourself in terms of abilities, interests, and experiences among other elements.

Since you have ascertained that you are fit for the scholarship, it is advisable that you now identify the specific traits, accomplishments and ideas to support your belief.

While analyzing yourself, always refer to the key requirements outlined in the application form. Focus on those achievements, experiences and aims that will portray you as a potential candidate for the chance.

Narrow down to a more specific angle

Understand your motivations and career goals in order to determine the key elements that will prove you are suited for the scholarship. In order to make your personal statement unique, try to focus on those experiences and achievements that are unusual.

Personal statements are generally short in length but test so much from a student. Remember that everyone always has a story to tell and the only thing that matters is how good yours is written.

Emphasize on those stories or experiences that have ensured your career development since they are what most admission officials will be looking at. The stories should not only be interesting but also compelling in order for your application to stand a chance of success.

The points that you chose to highlight in the essay should be those that give a positive reflection in order to effectively sell you. Besides, they are supposed to tell a unique side of you that not so many people are used to.

Craft an outline

After you have settled on the story that you want to tell, it is advisable to first make a draft of how the final essay will look. You do not have to write the entire statement but only list pointers that will be used in constructing the sentences and paragraphs.

In the outline, you should clearly show all the main ideas of the story in the way they will be addressed in the essay. In fact, it is also important to list dates and other details that can be easily forgotten.

As you write the outline, it is also advisable that you consider the given word count so as not to overstep the limits.

Steps on how to write personal statement for scholarship

Writing personal statement for scholarship requires you to introduce yourself, say more about your career and why you think you should be given a chance. At the end of the essay, you should also tell the recipient of the application about your ambitions and goals.

The following procedures will guide you on how to write personal statement for scholarship with ease.

Welcome the reader into your life

The introduction of a personal statement should be interesting and give the reader a reason to want to know you. You can begin by giving an outstanding achievement or experience that has a significant impact in your career.

The opening statements should grab the reader and provide an insight into your potential. To engage the reader, you can also start the essay with an anecdote, giving a small story related to the elements that you intend to highlight in the statement.

Although a personal statement should tell your story, there is no condition that you have to reveal everything about your life. In case there are certain experiences or things that you do not feel comfortable sharing, it is advisable to simply avoid them.

Prove that you are suitable for the opportunity

After the introduction, you should proceed to giving a more elaborate account of the traits, accomplishments, interests and aims that position you as a strong candidate.

On this part, you can discuss the various courses that you have undertaken, internships attended, additional experiences and other elements that make you unique and fit for the scholarship.

In telling your story, try to construct short but complete sentences. Besides, it is also important to avoid clichés. Instead, only give necessary and important information.

Give a compelling statement about your goals

The admission officials always want to know that you are committed to the profession and will be able to maximize the opportunity if given a chance. The best way of proving this is by telling the reader about what you intend to achieve in the field if given the opportunity or not. In short, try to show your zeal and ambitions.

Examples of personal statements for scholarship

To get a clearer insight on how to write personal statement for scholarship, refer to the samples given below.

Example 1        

Sample Scholarship Essay/ Personal Statement (Nursing Student)

‘’I am a junior in the UM-Flint Nursing program, and I believe that my chosen profession will enable me to fulfil my desire in assisting others, expanding my knowledge base and traveling. Throughout my life, I have taken part in extracurricular activities, including valuable volunteer experiences. I have striven for academic excellence, always managing to work to provide some of my basic educational expenses…’’

To read the rest of this sample clicking here.

Example 2

Sample Personal Statement for the Fulbright Scholarship

‘’My grandparents have touched the lives of many people; drug addicts, refugees, neighbors and my own. They possess a unique ability in building relationships; they are a paradigm of service- where service is more than what you do and also defined by who you are.

In my own life, I have aspired to affect people in the way that my grandparents and others in the Mennonite Church did. However, my vision has expanded…’’ view the rest of the statement here.

Example 3

Personal Statement for York Scholarship (An example of a specific-response personal statement)

‘’My two passions in life drew me to York College. While some of my fellow classmates in high school looked for campuses close to home, others chose the freedom of being far away. Some settled on programs like pharmacy or law enforcement while others just followed their friends. However, I chose York because it is the only school in New York where a student can play in jazz bands and also fly airplanes, the two overwhelming passions of my life…’’ read the rest of the statement  here.

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Reference

http://www.scholarships.umd.edu/advicestudentswriting.html

http://www.pomona.edu/administration/career-development/graduate-fellowships/preparing-your-applications/writing-personal-statements.aspx

http://www.truman.gov/effective-personal-statement