Scholarship Application Essay Help Required

Tigersilly

Hi, I have just finished my first year at university and have achieved the grades required to apply for a tuition fee scholarship.

I have to write a 250 word essay on what 'qualities I have that make me an outstanding student'.

Can anyone give me any tips on what I should cover? - I'm assuming a 'state and display' structure should be used e.g. 'I have shown commitment to studying and this is displayed by the high grades I have achieved this year' etc

250 words a very tight word limit, and any ideas on how to structure my essay would be great.

Many Thanks

dmg24

Surely the purpose of the statement is to assess your skills, so asking others for help would be cheating?

Voyager2002

dmg24 wrote: »

Surely the purpose of the statement is to assess your skills, so asking others for help would be cheating?

True, although skills in asking the right questions of the right people, and then critically evaluating what they say and giving further development to their ideas, would also be important.

Tigersilly

dmg24 wrote: »

Surely the purpose of the statement is to assess your skills, so asking others for help would be cheating?

Well, people regularly ask for help when writing personal statements. They aren't usually called 'cheats'.

RachelRa

Tigersilly wrote: »

Well, people regularly ask for help when writing personal statements. They aren't usually called 'cheats'.

I would consider that kinda cheating too.

This is a essay to assess you. If you are the outstanding student they are looking for you should be able to tackle writing it.

My only tip is rather than thinking that 250 isn't much to work with, think about not having to include any padding. Think bullet points, then just turn them into sentance form, which will hopefully flow nicely.

Oldernotwiser

Ignore the word limit at first and when you've written what you want to say precis it down to the correct length.

When people ask on here for help with PS they're often told that this is cheating, you've only got to look at other threads. Anyway, there's a difference between someone who's new to the whole thing and not getting much help from school and someone who's already at university and trying to show what an exceptional student they are!

TigerAngel11

What makes you different from other students?
What type of student are they looking for?

Generic qualities like hardworking and dedicated are a bit boring - and something people typically put even when they're not true! Mention them briefly if you feel you must, but don't base your entire essay on them.

Mention any special interests within your subject area and any complementary interests. For example: if you're an English student, are you also a member of a theatre group? Be specific: this is your opportunity to show that you know your stuff. Don't be tempted to lie or exaggerate.

Mention how your degree fits into the big picture. What career routes do you think you'll take? What plans do you have? For example: if you're studying psychology, perhaps you plan to do a post-grad course in criminal psychology. Talking about the long term shows dedication (without you having to write the word "dedication"!) and that you'll be a great investment.

Make sure you plan out the structure of your essay beforehand and it's better to err on the side of writing too much, as cutting often yields better results than stuffing. Get others to check it (a tutor or lecturer would be ideal, if available) to make sure that it makes sense, is concise and that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.

By the way, asking for tips on how to write an essay or personal statement is definitely not cheating - it's not as if you're asking for someone to write it for you! Besides, it's customary for schools and colleges to give advice on these things, which is partly why some schools have a higher proportion of students going to top universities - they've been given the benefit of this advice from people who know their stuff. There may be a blurred boundary where some teachers dictate what to write rather than merely advising, but asking for tips on what to include is fine. If it was "cheating" then UCAS wouldn't publish guidelines for their PSs.

Oldernotwiser

Congratulations TigerAngel11! I hope that you get the scholarship! :rolleyes:

dmg24

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Congratulations TigerAngel11! I hope that you get the scholarship! :rolleyes:

At my university you always had to complete a disclaimer stating that if you got any help with the work that you were submitting. Hopefully the OP's university does the same, although I doubt they will be honest enough to admit it.

Is there any point in doing a degree anymore when so many people cheat? x

Voyager2002

dmg24 wrote: »

At my university you always had to complete a disclaimer stating that if you got any help with the work that you were submitting. Hopefully the OP's university does the same, although I doubt they will be honest enough to admit it.

Is there any point in doing a degree anymore when so many people cheat? x

Tiger Angel has given good advice, and should start the OP thinking in the right direction.

Speaking (or writing) as someone who used to mark student essays, I think it is really good to seek help and start with other people's ideas, and then develop them further to your own piece of work. I think that what the OP has done here is entirely legitimate.

aurora_borealis_2

Personally, I've learned never to coach or prepare anyone for a job/position that they may not be up to.

It's not fair on them or their referees.

If i'm not confident of person's abilities, I steer well clear. Since I don't know the OP, I'd be wary to advise.