Tips For Writing Your Scholarship Essay

Hello, I’m Minji, and I was a recipient of one of the Academic Director’s Scholarship for Summer School 2023, in the area of Sustainability and Development. In this blog, I will share the steps I followed when writing my scholarship essay. Writing a scholarship essay can be a challenging task, especially when you, like me, initially felt that your achievements are not spectacular enough to secure such an opportunity, However, by following the steps outlined below, you will get a clear sense of how to approach the process with confidence.

 

Step 1 : Understand the Scholarship essay requirements

One of the first and most important steps in writing a scholarship essay is understanding the requirements. For my application, I was asked to write my essay in only 300 words, which meant I had to be very concise. Your essay should include your past accomplishments, future goals, how the programme will benefit you, and how it aligns with LSE’s 2030 vision. To gain clarity, I found guidance from past students’ blog articles.

Step 2 : List Your Achievements

Choosing which achievements to highlight can be tricky. You might feel that your accomplishments are not exceptional enough (if you do feel they are outstanding, then no need to worry!). However, every achievement is valuable. I recommend starting by listing all your achievements, categorizing them under areas like academics, leadership, and volunteering. Even seemingly insignificant activities can be meaningful when they are properly framed. In my case, I initially overlooked some activities but later found ways to include them in my final draft.

Step 3: Create Meaningful Connections

Your activities and achievements may seem disconnected, especially if you did not have a specific goal in mind during your early years of college. However, it is crucial to connect your motivation and accomplishments. For instance, I translated English letters to Korean for World Vision during my freshmen year, which I initially omitted from my essay because it did not seem relevant to my future goals. Nevertheless, it is okay to include such activities if you can explain how they align with your aspirations.

 

Writing a scholarship essay might seem challenging, but with careful planning and thoughtful connections between your past achievements and future goals, you can create a competitive essay that shows your potential. Remember that every achievement counts, and it is your unique journey that sets you apart. By following these steps, I hope you can start writing with more confidence and clarity.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.