Enhancing Written Presentation Skills for Scholarship Application Updated 31 August 2017

Your application form reflects who you are Your application form reflects who you are! Be sure to make good use of it!

Your application form acts an important role in the whole application process. Make good use of it to : impress the Selection Panel convince the Panel that you really DESERVE the Scholarship earn the chance to present yourself in person at the Selection Interview, if any

Important points to note Be sure to read through the Application Guidelines and Selection Criteria Beware of the application DEADLINE and WHERE/ HOW to submit your application It is always best to submit your application form BEFORE deadline

on filling out application forms General Tips on filling out application forms

Read the form carefully before you start filling it out ASK if you have any query Always TYPEWRITE unless otherwise specified List out the most relevant and major achievements/ activities/ services only Be CONCISE and SPECIFIC Be ACCURATE in grammar and spelling

How to present your achievements in words? Achievements/ Extra-curricular Activities/ Community Services

Present your achievements/ activities/ services in descending chronological order, if not specified Use ACTION VERB to summarize what you have achieved PRIORITIZE and QUANTIFY major achievements/ activities/ services Include activities in the recent 3 years ONLY, unless otherwise specified Include any SKILLS that you have developed

Format and Examples Sample Format #1: Date DD/MM/YYYY Example #1: 02/12/2016 23/10/2016 15/09/2015 Name of Activity <Name of Activity> Information Day Visiting the Elderly Home Annual Drama Performance Duty/ Role <Position Held/ Major Responsibilities> @ Helper Volunteer Backstage Coordinator @ Use ACTION verb to summarize what you have done e.g. achieve, organize, publicize, promote, coordinate, contribute, etc

Format and Examples Sample Format #2: Year YYYY – YYYY Example #2 2015 – 2016 Extra-curricular Activities/ Community Services <Position>, <Name of Activity>, <Major Responsibilities> @ Extra-curricular Activities/ Community Services @ Chairman, XXXX Association Leaded a team of 10 members to organize events for 300 students Organized an exhibition on xxxx to promote xxxx among the public @ Use ACTION verb to summarize what you have done e.g. achieve, organize, publicize, promote, coordinate, contribute, etc

Format and Examples Sample Format #3: Month/Year MM/YYYY Example #3 05/2016 Achievements <Award/Prize>, <Competition/Programme Name>, <Organization>, <Description of Competition/Programme> @ Achievements @ Grand Prize, International XXX Competition, Society of XXX A total of 100 teams from 38 universities around the world participated in the annual competition in London 6 teams were selected to proceed to the Final @ Use ACTION verb to summarize what you have done e.g. achieve, organize, publicize, promote, coordinate, contribute etc

Document your achievement/ participation Award Certificates/ Certification Letters/ Co-curricular Achievement Transcript

It is always a good habit to document your achievements/ participation, since these documentations may serve as proof to support your scholarship applications.

Supporting Documents Awards/ Achievements Award Certificates Awardee list on official website Co-curricular Achievement Transcript (CAT) Participation on Activities/ Services Certificate of Participation Certification Letter issued by organizer Co-curricular Achievement Transcript (CAT) Academic Performance Copy of Assessment Result (via eStudent) will normally serve the purpose, unless an official transcript is required Note: For scholarship applications, unless required, it is not necessary to submit a portfolio. Only submitting the proof on the achievement/ participation you have listed on your application form will be good enough.

How to write the personal statement? Your opportunity to “sell” yourself in the application process

Before you start writing If you are requested to respond to a specific topic/ question, make sure you read the topic/ question carefully. Think about the events in your life which you can relate to in responding to the specified topic/ question. Think about what is special, distinctive and/or impressive about you or your life story. Present your views by using the 5Ws and 1H (i.e. What, Why, Where, When, Who and How)

General Advice Respond to the topic/ question that are given Be sure your responses fits the specified topic/ question. Do not go off the topic! Tell your own story Responding the topic by demonstrating through your own experience. Be true/ realistic Don’t over sell. Whatever you write should be logical and/or based on your specific experience. Be specific Figure out your own uniqueness. Find the right angle of your statement. Make a good start The opening sentence/ paragraph is the most important where you grab readers’ attention. Be meticulous Proofread your statement carefully. Type, unless otherwise specified. Be concise and do not exceed the word limits.

Where to find information on Scholarships? Visit the Scholarship Webpage under Centre STARS Homepage. There are scholarships open for application by students or open for nominations by academic departments from time to time. Please click the Schedule of inviting application/ nomination for details. Opt to receive direct marketing materials via the eStudent System and check your PolyU email (both Inbox and Junk Mailbox) regularly.

Types of Post-entry Scholarship Available (nomination by academic department or application by students) Full Academic Scholarships Scholarships for Overseas Exchange/Internship Talent Development Scholarships Scholarships for Hall Residents Scholarships stipulated to academic departments

If you apply, you are one step closer to getting the scholarship! Do Not Hesitate! Treat each application process as a chance to reflect yourself. It is always a valuable learning experience. If you apply, you are one step closer to getting the scholarship!