Not good enough for Scholarship

LegacyUser

Hi guys. My life has taken a turn for the worst. Had a terrible past year, due to finances, could not progress with university to do a postgrad I have to do to get further and I had to return home due to finances, thus leaving behind a solid group of friends and a great social life. Needless to say Im not the only one in the same boat and like others Ive worked jobs to keep myself going and raise the money I need to get back to college. Its taking it toll though as due to the economy I lost my job recently and have had no success since despite my best efforts.

Anyway, my past university is offering a scholarship and I decided to enter. I have the required grades, I want it so much I could cry!!!! And I know the chances are slim but I want to try regardless of that!!! Im so desperate at this stage. I just know I wont have enough to afford my masters for another few years and because of my location, commutting to college isnt an option, Id have to live there, adding more cost.

My issue is, Ive no great things to my name, the additional questions on the application essay Im writing is what experience outside of the academic studies you have previously had, do you possess. And I have nothing to my name. I literarly have worked in normal retail ect jobs since I left college trying to get back to college. whereas others have gone to Africa to teach english, peru, worked with charities. Im so worried how bland and blank my essay will look in comparission and yet I know I am equally capable of great work in this masters and doing myself and my lecturers proud.

Can anyone in provide me with a bit of advice or anything!!!!

AnnyHallsal

These things are cut and dry - it's usually all about academic achievement and the strength of your proposal, maybe references.

You have the required grades, that's step one. The other things I imagine they would be looking for are any kind of awards and possibly experience relevant to/demonstration of interest in the discipline.

Maybe if you told us what the headings are we could help you further?

How you feel is completely understandable but also unhelpful. Try not to be so defeatist, evaluate your application objectively. Having the required grades is a good start! If you don't get this one there are other places you can apply to. I'd make a list of preferences, apply to them all and accept the best one that offered funding.

LegacyUser

Hiya op here, my problem is I dont have awards or anything like that. Its not that Im trying to be defeatist but I havent done anything amazing except work to keep myself going and socialise with friends. My life has been very ordinary. My interest in the course will definately be expressed in my essay I have to submit and Im waiting on a reference now from my tutor from last year. So Im praying they will see something in me that would convince them.

username123

The reason they leave that open on the application is for people who dont have as much in the line of academic achievement or very old qualifications, or qualifications from a less recognised college etc... For people in that position they can use the opportunity to fill in some life experience or achievements that might prove useful in overcoming other shortcomings. The people who apply wont be just drawn from a pool of recent young graduates.

For you, your recent academic background and interest in doing this course is what will be expected.

All you can do is your best and stop worrying that you are not good enough, you are as good as anyone else offered the opportunity to apply.

looksee

Its a bit late for this particular application, but look at what they are asking and see what you could do to fill some of the gaps you can see in your experience.

You don't have to go to Africa, but it is well within anyone's grasp to get involved with groups, do independent research, take evening courses, just get out there and do stuff so that next time you will have something to write about.

Take an interest, make demands on yourself. Just wanting is no use unless you are making an effort to achieve. I know I will get shot down for this, but you asked for advice so - when you were typing your question you must have seen the indicators that there were spelling issues? Why did you not do something about them? I know this is just the internet and spelling and grammar are free-form and optional, but it is good practise for yourself to reach out for excellence.

And good luck with the application anyway!

Princess Peach

Sell every little thing about yourself on the application! I have gotten a few scholarships, biggest one was to cover all the fees in my masters. I never did work experience in my field, just the same retail job since secondary school.

Be as gloating and full of yourself when writing the application. Focus on all academic achievements and goals, skills you have gained in college. Any little extra things you have done, like a couple of days volunteer work, even stuff you did in secondary school is relevant sometimes. You can list a little about interests too.

Is it just a written submission? Larger scholarships sometimes have follow up interviews, which I find are great for selling yourself!

Good luck

LegacyUser

looksee wrote: »

Its a bit late for this particular application, but look at what they are asking and see what you could do to fill some of the gaps you can see in your experience.

You don't have to go to Africa, but it is well within anyone's grasp to get involved with groups, do independent research, take evening courses, just get out there and do stuff so that next time you will have something to write about.

Take an interest, make demands on yourself. Just wanting is no use unless you are making an effort to achieve. I know I will get shot down for this, but you asked for advice so - when you were typing your question you must have seen the indicators that there were spelling issues? Why did you not do something about them? I know this is just the internet and spelling and grammar are free-form and optional, but it is good practise for yourself to reach out for excellence.

And good luck with the application anyway!

To be honest I find your post a little arrogant. I didn't spell check. I was running on little sleep trying to get organised. Because I was worrying and I came on here upset looking for advice. So no I actually wrote a very rushed message looking for a but of advice. Obviously my academic works and my general writing is always proof read before sending out. Normally I wouldn't flinch at a post like that but it's a given that I would proof read, and this was merely a rushed message.

To everyone else, thank you. I've written out a proposal essay. Essays are no problem for me. I've written hundreds of essays since the start of my degree and I'm happy with it. Obviously the lack of extra activities are evident but as I mentioned my grades are high and my interest and plans or the scholarship are well outlined in the essay.