Tips for Writing Successful Study Abroad Scholarship Applications Alice Gail Bier Office of International Education and Global Engagement March 1, 2018

Presentation Content Introduction Research scholarship opportunities Planning Creating your support team Parts of the scholarship application Letters of recommendation Essays Personal statements Follow-on project

Why students do not get scholarships

Start with a PLAN What do you want to do abroad? Discussion

What are the specifics of your study abroad plan? Workshopping exercise Details Reasoning Value

Research Scholarship Opportunities Be open. Review advertised criteria AND selection criteria. Look for “preferences” in scholarship info (explicit, implicit). Review overview of scholarship (“purpose”). Review “requirements”—outreach, follow-up project, government service.

How Well Do You Or Your Plans Match With The Criteria? Length of time (winter/summer/semester/year)— longer may be better Subject area Type of student Geographic location National security Create an adventure, expand an interest, explore new opportunity First study abroad experience (most competitive)

Apply for More Than One Scholarship A single scholarship generally will not cover the full cost of your study abroad program. Distribution of scholarship funds may come after you have applied or even after you begin your program, but it will come. Have a plan in place to cover up front costs.

Scholarships are Competitive

Keys to Successful Scholarship Applications GET ORGANIZED. Set internal deadlines. Do not procrastinate, Start NOW. Research what is needed WELL IN ADVANCE. Prepare information packet for your references early. SCHEDULE TIME FOR MULTIPLE DRAFTS of ESSAYS. SUBMIT COMPLETE APPLICATION BEFORE DEADLINE.

Line up your scholarship team: You are not alone Line up your scholarship team: Writers of recommendations. Readers for your drafts. Scholarship Office. IEGE Office. Family and friends. Program leader. Other applicants.

Parts of a Scholarship Application Letters of recommendation. Application. Transcripts. Statement of purpose. Personal statement. Follow up project statement. Letter of invitation, program acceptance, copy of application for SA Portfolio. Somewhere to keep your notes on each scholarship.

Letters of Recommendation Know if you need them, and how many. Choose your professor(s). First, ask if they could write a letter of recommendation for you (can be used for different scholarships) and let them know the due date. If yes: Provide each one in writing with a packet of information: A brief description of why you are asking for the recommendation (name and details of the study abroad program, scholarship name, etc.). A short bulleted list of your characteristics -- GPA, intended or actual major/minor, what class you took with them, grade in class (if relevant), professional academic goals, personality qualities that you feel would make you successful on a program. A resume. Instructions to reference writers as to how and where to submit the recommendation. Follow up.

Types of Essays Statement of purpose. Personal statement. Follow on project.

Writing Essays Start NOW Do not procrastinate Plan your own deadlines to include three or more thoughtful drafts

Before You Write Your First Draft--OUTLINE Be clear what the scholarship is FOR and what it is ASKING. READ TIPS/TOPICS Scholarship wishes you to address OUTLINE what you plan to say, Revise outline until it flows. Be specific, give detail, but not too much. Paint a picture. Remember, scholarships are for academics, NOT travel.

OUTLINE Intro: Who, what, where, when, why; or, a compact lead in story Body: Make sure you answer the topics/questions being asked—use as headers, initially. What are you doing now How does the proposed study abroad experience fit into your current academic studies? How have you prepared for the study abroad experience? previous language classes, courses about subject or area, etc. How does the experience fit into your future current academic/professional plans (really)? How do you think the experience will impact you? Who are you? What makes you unique (Yikes!) Who are the students at Brooklyn College—what are their characteristics?

Parts of Essay Intro Body—Initially Use a section header for each question being asked, implicitly or explicitly End with brief summary key points

Plan to write 3-5 Essay Drafts Work from revised outline After first essay draft, check your own writing against your list of selection criteria, topics you are being asked to cover or questions to answer. Have you answered all the questions/criteria clearly, what can you add, change? Have you brought “yourself” into the essay to demonstrate you fit the focus of the scholarship. (target group) Make sure that every point is illustrated with specific detail. Bridge/link each paragraph.

What “Revise” Means Make sure that each point is covered Remove all repetition Give specific examples Make sure YOU are in the essay (mention any of your characteristics that match what is mentioned in scholarship information) Say what you have to say in the fewest and most descriptive words possible Plan your work to incorporate time for several revisions Make sure there are NO spelling errors and punctuation mistakes.

Get Feedback Write your first draft. Revise yourself (see above) Write the second draft. See above. Ask a friend who is good at writing to see if you covered the main points, Write a third draft incorporating more information, and correct your spelling, grammar punctuation. Have staff or faculty review your draft (best to ask first, then send it by email, follow up with visit if necessary Write your fourth, and perhaps final draft but you may need a fifth draft depending on missing information. Have your essay reviewed for grammar, punctuation.

What not to do Rushed writing. Writing without outlining first (and addressing the questions). Lack of organization and planning. Essay does not fit the theme. Not completing your application. Using “text speak”. Unpolished and un-proofed, spelling and punctuation errors.

Gilman Essay Writing Tips Statement of Purpose Essay (from Gilman Website) The Statement of Purpose Essay Key points to keep in mind are: Why do you wish to study or intern abroad and what factors led you to this decision? What do you hope to gain from and what do you anticipate will be the impact of your experience abroad? What impact will my choice of country have on my experience abroad? What initially inspired you to want to study abroad in this particular country or learn this language? What factors led to my choice of country of study? Describe your study or intern abroad program. What factors led you to select this program and length of study? Why have you chosen your country of study? What factors led you to select this country? What coursework will you take? Why? How will it help you achieve your academic and future professional goals? Are there any distinctive components to this program, beyond coursework, that will impact your overall learning experience abroad?(i.e. home-stays, internships, field research, volunteer activities, extra-curricular activities, etc.)

What challenges, if any, did you face in your decision to study or intern abroad? How did you meet these challenges? These could include, but are not limited to, being a parent, being anon-traditional student, having a learning or physical disability, being in a field of study for which it is difficult to incorporate study abroad, working, saving money, etc.

Follow-On Project Statement Purpose of the Follow On-Project is to spread the word about study abroad and scholarship opportunities (specifically the one to which you are applying). Your statement will say how you are going to do that. What are the characteristics of students to whom you will present? (see BC About--Fast Facts)? Where will you present? Be specific in your plans and with whom you plan to work or assist or to present. Gilman looks for feasibility and creativity. Provide details.

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