How to build an impressive student profile for a scholarship

When it comes to scholarships, it all boils down to your achievements and how you present them. There might be many people with similar scores but the question is, how are you different? To make your student profile look better than that of your fellow applicants’, there are scholarship tips you can follow to develop your profile according to university requirements. Universities look at a student’s entire profile before saying yes or no to their scholarship application. So, all you have to do is, build a killer student profile to grab a scholarship!

Here, we will discuss some tips for getting a scholarship and how to build your profile to brighten the prospects of getting one.

How are scholarship applications judged?

As a candidate, it’s important for you to know how scholarship applications are judged. This will give you an idea about how to get a scholarship to study abroad. Usually, judges evaluate a scholarship in 3 steps:

• In the first step, they short-list all the applications that are eligible for consideration. It is highly recommended that you only apply to scholarships that you are eligible for. It helps universities select the most deserving candidates and thus, increases your chances.
• In fact, that is the second step. They separate great applications from not-so-great ones looking at the entire student profile. They consider details such as your scores, skills, achievements, work experience, etc.
• In the last step, they carefully go through every little detail of the final applicants’ profiles and examine factors like family backgrounds, economic condition, relevancy, merit, etc. and select those that have the best profiles. 

Who gives scholarships for studying abroad?

From universities to private organizations and governments, you can find a scholarship for studying abroad sponsored by different entities.

In India, for instance, the Tata Scholarship is offered by a private organization (Tata Group) that takes care of education expenses if you have secured your placement at Cornell University, USA. Similarly, the Fullbright scholarship program provides financial assistance to graduate students, young professionals, and artists who intend on studying in the USA.

However, your best bet would be to contact the university you’re applying to and check if you’re eligible. Most universities offer scholarships to all students, all you have to do is apply!

How to build a scholarship profile?

You can build your scholarship profile in more ways than one. Remember, universities are looking for people with a holistic personality. A wholesome student profile is what they want.

A competitive GPA for a strong student profile!

First and foremost, a university evaluates a student on the basis of academics. A competitive GPA is a must if you want to get a scholarship for studying abroad.

Besides that, your leadership qualities and creativity also catch the eye of a university when it evaluates scholarship applications. That, along with your work experience, social service, skills, etc. is something that creates a wholesome and well-rounded profile.

Therefore, it is always important to talk about and provide proof of your non-academic achievements in your scholarship application.

Not so good academics? Let’s figure this out!

Fret not if you don’t have a stellar academic record. Try and strengthen your profile by venturing into other important activities. Now, how do you find what are you good at? Well, start by jotting down your strengths. Showcase what you have achieved by playing on these strengths. 

It is always a good idea to diversify your profile. You can do this by doing certifications, online courses, volunteering, participating in competitions, etc. Mention all these things in your application.  

Some more tips!

Make your resume free of any errors. Be careful with the grammar and the sentences you are using in the resume. 

Try to work in the industry related to the program you wish to pursue. An internship or a job in the same industry will give you a competitive edge over other applicants. Your work experience tells universities that you have practical experience in the industry and you are committed to learning more about it.

But remember, creating a scholarship profile isn’t something you can complete overnight. A student should work on their scholarship profile even before entering higher education.

As a student, you should ace in the fields of writing, speaking, and must participate in activities where your leadership qualities shine.  The mix of good academics and impressive extra-curriculum activities is a perfect recipe for a student profile.

Tips to ace your scholarship essay

An essay or personal statement is the most crucial part of your application. It becomes the deciding factor in instances where two applicants are closely competing with each other on academic and extra-curricular fronts. These are the fundamentals of writing a good scholarship essay.

•     Stick to the principles of writing a good essay that has a clear beginning, middle, and end
•     Always try and be unique in your content and make sure you don’t copy someone else’s SOP
•     Try to be as concise as possible

The scholarship application

Besides academic and non-academic activities, many scholarship applications ask you to submit your financial information in detail.

This may include details of your guardian’s occupation and income, as well as the bank statement. The documents needed to be enclosed with the application are also more or less the same. You need to be thorough with how to apply for scholarships for studying abroad.

Some of the common paperwork includes:

•     Evidence of academic record/transcript
•     Personal statement or essay (including a clear statement of what the applicant wishes to study)
•     Evidence of age/birth certificate/passport
•     English Language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
•     Photograph(s)
•     List of referrals i.e letters of recommendation where the referrer can attest in confidential references

You can read our other blogs to find out some great Scholarship application tips.

When to apply for scholarships?

Always keep track of the scholarships you want to be awarded-

1. Visit the official website and social media accounts set up for the scholarship.
2. Research about how to apply for a scholarship to study abroad.
3. Work on your student profile to get your desired scholarship.

If you don’t know what scholarship is good for you in keeping with your majors and desired country, you can always contact iSchoolConnect. We’d be very happy to help!