When applying for a UNICAF Scholarship, a number of documents are required, such as CV, academic qualifications (certificates and transcripts) and official letter of recommendation to show your academic and financial background; however, the personal statement is your business card that gives you the opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants.
Before writing anything, be certain that you did your research about the course you are going to apply for. Don’t just focus on academic qualifications required, but also on what the course teaches you, what skills you will learn and what job or further study opportunities it creates for you. Knowing this lets you evaluate if the course is right for you and if you can proof that you will be a suitable candidate.
After doing your research, comply a list of all your previous academic qualifications, experiences, skills and future ambitions. This will help you to include all the information in the personal statement without forgetting anything.
When you start writing, remember that the personal statement should be personal. Don’t copy the statement from somebody else or the internet. Not using somebody else’s also helps you to focus your statement on your skill rather than trying to fit your experience in a text that wasn’t meant for you. Also, keep your statement to approximately 500 words. This length will be enough to introduce yourself and show your qualification without going into unnecessary details.
As with all documents, the first few sentences should grab the reader’s attention. Be creative! Then show why this particular subject interests you and why you have chosen this particular university. This is the perfect time to show that you have done your research and you are passionate about the subject. You should also include relevant experiences, qualifications, hobbies or activities that show that you have experienced this field before and it is something that you will enjoy doing. Also, explain what your goals are in life and that this course will help you to achieve it.
Finally, close the personal statement by drawing a conclusion that shows that you are the right candidate and that you have the right skills and qualities to become a student.
When done, a very important part is to make sure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation is correct. Ask friends, family or teachers to read it and give you their feedback. Someone that isn’t very close to you might actually be better suited as close friends and family members might be biased towards you.
Lastly, start early and take your time. Writing a good personal statement might need some effort but it can make a big difference in your application process.
For more information about UNICAF Scholarships, visit www.unicaf.org!
