Tips for Creating a Compelling Scholarship Application

Here is how the top 10% of graduate school applicants approach their application for best results. I have worked with several applicants to get remarkable results. The difference between those who get into prestigious programs and those who do not is below 👇🏾 ****************** Crafting Stories, Not Statements ✅ ****************** Personal statements should go beyond achievements, Go into your ✔️personal growth, ✔️challenges overcome, and a ✔️vision for the future of your field. Each narrative should reflect resilience and dedication that leave a lasting impression. ************** Recommendations Reflects Character ✅ ***************** Select recommenders who can speak to the heart of your journey ✔️Your growth, ✔️Your grit, and ✔️Your genuine potential to make a difference in your field. ****************** Cohesive Application Elements✅ ****************** ✔️ Ensure that every application component works together. ✔️ From the CV to the personal statement, each should work together to present a unified narrative of your past achievements and future aspirations. ******************* Demonstrating Impact through Engagement✅ ******************* Showcase not just what you want to do but what you have already done ✔️volunteering, ✔️initiatives led, ✔️Impact. This demonstrates your commitment but also your ability to effect change. **************************** Those who get into top programs utilize these steps. It affirms the effectiveness of a strategic, thoughtful approach to application preparation. 🔗 If this journey speaks to you or someone you know who dreams of making a similar impact, Share this post, tag a future leader, or drop a comment below. #MPH #PublicHealth #GraduateSchool #studyabroad #mentorship

I worked with someone to help fine-tune her Statement of Purpose (SOP) and here's what I discovered. Our life story is ours and no one can tell it like us. However, because we are so familiar with it, we tend to overlook or tone some aspects of it down. You got inspired to practice medicine because you watched someone lose their life as a result of poor access to healthcare. Or your decision to pursue agriculture was driven by food insecurity in your country. This is where you should start. Do you know why? Because it makes for a better story; also, it draws the reader in. It makes them curious and want to know how your life story gets resolved. You can think of this as setting the plot of your story. This is why I insist on having a thorough conversation with the applicant before diving into their SOP. By dedicating at least 30 minutes to asking probing questions, I can pinpoint the most compelling aspects of their journey and determine the best approach to introduce their SOP. If you are applying to Grad school or for a fellowship, you must understand that those who get in might not always be the creme of the crop. They're just the ones who knew how to tell their stories best. Here's a tip for you; call that smart friend in your circle and have them ask you questions about what you've done in the past few years or more. Take note of their reaction to your response. Which one got them intrigued? Take note of it. Put the top 5 in a notebook or a document. Share it with 5 people in your circle and ask them to give you feedback on the one they find the most intriguing. Chances are, the story that consistently resonates with others will serve as the ideal starting point for your SOP. Remember, the narrative you choose should align with the program or fellowship you're applying for. Don't go and talk about how you won the sports competition in secondary school when applying for a business management course. —-----------------------

HOW TO PREPARE AN OUTSTANDING GRADUATE SCHOOL OR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION I have won several international scholarships and awards, and I can share some tips to make your next application stand out. These tips are based on my personal experience. Recently, I won an international research award for a paper I conceptualized and wrote single-handedly in less than a month. I started late and knew that I had to approach it differently to have a chance. During my master's program in the UK, the marking scheme for assignments would indicate the quality of work required to score a particular grade, and based on the effort put in, you could almost predict your grade accurately even before it is released. In the case of my research award, the competition outlined the expected components of the paper and their associated percentages. Knowing I had limited time, I focused on areas where I had strength and used methodologies, I was very comfortable with. Let’s talk about how this applies to graduate school or scholarship applications. In every application, you need to identify your areas of strength and weaknesses. For this post, I will use applying to the University of Alabama graduate school as an example. Your strength for a graduate school application can be your grades, research, or relevant work experience. These can also be areas of weakness for others. ✅To apply to The University of Alabama Graduate School, you need the following materials. ✅Transcripts ✅Test scores like GRE or GMAT (not applicable to most programs- check the program portal to verify: https://lnkd.in/gnZJK6v4. ✅English Language Proficiency Scores (does not apply to applicants from recognized English-speaking countries - https://lnkd.in/e2MGtcgc ✅Letters of Recommendation ✅Statement of Purpose ✅Application fee These materials have their weight on the outcome of your application. To make your application outstanding, you can write a better statement of purpose and get perfect letters of recommendation. I have previously written a thread on how to get better recommendations from your referees: https://lnkd.in/eR-PHbxs In a nutshell, to make your application outstanding, you will need to identify your areas of weakness and find ways to fill them by maximizing your areas of strength. For more information, see my article: https://lnkd.in/edDvyQqZ I wish you the very best in your next application. #UAGSInfluencer #Rolltide