How To Write An Appealling Essay?: Road To A Successful Scholarship Application [PDF]

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HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY? The Outline Scholarship requirement Types of essay How to write an appealing essay?

Do’s and don’ts General tips

INSIDE PICKS PAGE 2

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

General requirements:

Diploma and transcripts in Indonesian and English IELTS or TOEFL iBT or TOEFL ITP certificate (check score and band needed for your program)

CV in English (check on each country format) Recommendation Letters Passport

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Age limit

GPA limit Essay(s) Which one you have?

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HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

NOTE: Scholarship/university nowadays checks on your application holistically They consider all aspects of your application

But again, what put you aside with other applicants is your ESSAY(s)

PLEASE NOTE THAT… PAGE 4

Essay is the heart of application after all your qualifications meet the requirements

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

Beberapa contoh beasiswa tanpa seleksi wawancara. Artinya, esai kamu bisa jadi salah satu penentu!

ESSAY IS IMPORTANT PAGE 5

Can you imagine, how powerful your essay should be?

SEBERAPA PENTING SEBUAH ESAI?

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SEBERAPA PENTING SEBUAH ESAI?

GATES GAMBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP

https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/how-to-apply/

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SEBERAPA PENTING SEBUAH ESAI?

CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP

Ada 4 esai yang harus ditulis: Leadership and influence Networking Studying in the UK

Career plan

https://www.chevening.org/news/reading-committee-feedback-for-applicants/

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TYPES OF ESSAY

TYPES OF ESSAY Focus: essay for scholarship requirement

Motivation Letter

Study Objective

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement

We focus on essays for scholarships because in general, the scholarship application process is more difficult than university application. However, some of the world's top universities also have quite challenging essay requirements. So, you can apply these tips too.

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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Types

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Country(ies)

Focus Statement ▪ A statement of your purpose of applying to graduate school. ▪ Why do you want to pursue to higher education? ▪ Why that program? ▪ Why that country?

Study objective

General

Statement of purpose

US

Same as Study objective, used in the US

Personal statement

General

A statement of your personal story and your journey of being interested in your program

Motivation letter

Mostly in European countries

Same as Personal statement, but used mostly in European countries

HOW TO START? Check on the scholarship application! Is there any specific detail/requirement?

Imagine what you want to do in the future? What kind of impacts you want to bring in the future or what challenges you want to alleviate by studying the program abroad?

Just write the essays: just write or pour everything that’s in your brain! You can write even in Indonesian to start! You can refine and edit afterwards.

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Check some examples from alumni of scholarship/study program!

Make an outline of what you’re going to write!

Brainstorm ideas → look at your CV! Make a list of your experiences to see which fits best!

Just write the essays: just write or pour everything that’s in your brain! You can write even in Indonesian to start! You can refine and edit afterwards.

ESSAY STRUCTURE

“The passing of my mother and grandmother from breast cancer when I was 15 years old opened my eyes to a new perspective on life. I became intensely interested in scientific research with aspirations to better understand and possibly find a cure for cancer.”

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HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY? 1. One-of-a-kind introduction Tell about your background why your program study is urgently needed in Indonesia (elaborate challenges/issues/problems occur in Indonesia related to your field of study) + why you need to pursue higher study in that particular field 2. Body 1 Explanation about your past education, training, experiences that have impacted many people in relation to your study. You certainly can tell about your voluntary activities or KKN experience in this paragraph. 3. Body 2 Why do you want to study in that country? Please state it specifically not cliché (cliché example: because the US is a superpower country and famous with great universities) 4. Body 3

ESSAY’S STRUCTURE!

Your future plan! Be ambitious and specific. Show that you will be a leader or bring positive contributions to your surrounding. 5. Conclusion (Optional): Briefly conclude your paragraph

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HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

ESSAY’S STRUCTURE! PAGE 16

Infrastructure is a primary driver for economic growth of a nation. As a developing country, Indonesia is upgrading its infrastructure development and equitably expanding it throughout the country in order to reduce a gap between Eastern and Western Indonesia. Located in a complex geological condition urges geotechnical engineering to be conducted as an essential part of preliminary study for civil engineering works in Indonesia in order to prevent construction failure. During earning a bachelor degree in Department of Geological Engineering Universitas Gadjah Mada, I focused my study on environmental geology in which geotechnics becomes one of the elective subjects. Having a sound knowledge in understanding ground condition and predicting potential geological hazards is the strength of a geologist. However, realizing that geotechnical engineering also encompasses civil engineering study which I have not deeply learned in my undergraduate program, I decide to pursue master degree in geotechnical engineering particularly in underground construction and tunneling.

Introduction

As a result of my excellent academic, I was chosen to participate in Indonesia Geology Olympiad 2014 as a leader of engineering geology and hydrogeology team. It was a valuable chance to enhance my knowledge especially in slope stability. I obtained real experience by joining a community development service in 2013 empowering people about landslide mitigation of the area. It became a pioneer of landslide mitigation in Kandangserang, Pekalongan which then followed by installing early warning system (EWS) in the next year. After accomplishing my study, I assisted my lecturer as a site engineer conducting geotechnical preliminary study of a villa construction built on a weathered andesitic hill slope. I always challenge myself to study other topics of geotechnical engineering. I am currently having a work as a research assistant of GEOCAP project studying geomechanics in geothermal reservoir. Although I have learned a lot of topics, underground construction and tunneling has always attracted my interest. I believe it is projected as a future technology in Indonesia especially in overcoming traffic congestion. However, researches related to this have not well developed yet. Studying this topic in developed country with sophisticated construction technology will completely improve my theoretical and technical skills.

Body 1

Although I have never traveled to US, I have explored the quality of geotechnical engineering in the US by reading textbook. Most of fundamental textbooks in geotechnical engineering come from US universities, making US becomes a house of dreams for people who want to advance their knowledge in this study. Furthermore, abundant chance of professional career as a geotechnical engineer enables me to gain practical experience by taking an internship. Excellent academic research and professional career will be a perfect combination of experience I will obtain from US.

Body 2

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

By continuing my study abroad will broaden my horizon and enhance my competitiveness in facing ASEAN Economic Community and other global communities. Upon completing my master degree in geotechnical engineering, I hope I could give contribution to research and academic sector. Lecturers in my department, especially who teach engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, earned their postgraduate degree in Japan, Australia, and Europe. It might be the time to bring experience from US. Being a Fulbright awardee will open my way in connecting a joint research between US universities and my department. In addition, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with Ministry of Public Works and Housing (KemenPU-PERA), is planning to open the first tunnel engineering program in Indonesia. It would be a good chance to implement my knowledge and upgrade the quality of geotechnics research which still becomes the second priority in my department.”

ESSAY’S STRUCTURE! PAGE 17

In summing up, deciding to continue my study in the US is not only for personal ambition to boost my career but the most important thing is I could obtain international experience in which later its positive value will be adopted to be a better Indonesia particularly for its infrastructure quality.

Body 3

Conclusion

PART 1

Personal Approach

OR

Challenges happen in Indonesia that you want to tackle in the future

Personal approach:

AN APPEALING INTRODUCTION (1) PAGE 18

“The passing of my mother and grandmother from breast cancer when I was 15 years old opened my eyes to a new perspective on life. I became intensely interested in scientific research with aspirations to better understand and possibly find a cure for cancer” (taken from @America presentation by Fina Alatas)

PART 1

Challenges happen in Indonesia that you want to tackle in the future (Focus on challenges, not the problem): Example:

AN APPEALING INTRODUCTION (2) PAGE 19

“Infrastructure is a primary driver for economic growth of a nation. As a developing country, Indonesia is upgrading its infrastructure development and equitably expanding it throughout the country in order to reduce a gap between Eastern and Western Indonesia. Located in a complex geological condition urges geotechnical engineering to be conducted as an essential part of preliminary study for civil engineering works in Indonesia in order to prevent construction failure. During earning a bachelor degree in Department of Geological Engineering Universitas Gadjah Mada, I focused my study on environmental geology in which geotechnics becomes one of the elective subjects. Having a sound knowledge in understanding ground condition and predicting potential geological hazards is the strength of a geologist. However, realizing that geotechnical engineering also encompasses civil engineering study which I have not deeply learned in my undergraduate program, I decide to pursue master degree in geotechnical engineering particularly in underground construction and tunneling.

PART 1

Please, do not write a boring introduction! Example:

DON’T WRITE LIKE THIS! PAGE 20

“I wish to apply for a Master’s program in Education with a focus on TESOL. This degree is relevant to my academic background - Bachelor of Arts in English language and linguistics - and to my current employment as an English teacher in high school and an English online instructor. I am particularly interested in English Integrated Skills, Second Language Assessment, and ComputerAssisted Language Learning (CALL), which will help me overcome challenges that I encounter as an English educator in Indonesia.”

PART 2

You could write three different paragraphs, and each paragraph should include examples of your past training. Give key reasons why you want to study the areas that you mention in the first paragraph.

Hints: In other words, what purposes does it serve to study your proposed topics? Mention your past experiences, current working experience, any interesting story related to your program (academic and professional).

Example:

BODY OF ESSAYS (1) PAGE 21

“As a result of my excellent academic, I was chosen to participate in Indonesia Geology Olympiad 2014 as a leader of engineering geology and hydrogeology team. It was a valuable chance to enhance my knowledge especially in slope stability. I obtained real experience by joining a community development service in 2013 empowering people about landslide mitigation of the area. It became a pioneer of landslide mitigation in Kandangserang, Pekalongan which then followed by installing early warning system (EWS) in the next year. After accomplishing my study, I assisted my lecturer as a site engineer conducting geotechnical preliminary study of a villa construction built on a weathered andesitic hill slope. I always challenge myself to study other topics of geotechnical engineering. I am currently having a work as a research assistant of GEOCAP project studying geomechanics in geothermal reservoir. Although I have learned a lot of topics, underground construction and tunneling has always attracted my interest. I believe it is projected as a future technology in Indonesia especially in overcoming traffic congestion. However, researches related to this have not well developed yet. Studying this topic in developed country with sophisticated construction technology will completely improve my theoretical and technical skills.”

PART 2

In the next paragraph: State why you choose that country? Why not somewhere else?

Example:

BODY OF ESSAYS (2) PAGE 22

“Although I have never traveled to US, I have explored the quality of geotechnical engineering in the US by reading textbook. Most of fundamental textbooks in geotechnical engineering come from US universities, making US becomes a house of dreams for people who want to advance their knowledge in this study. Furthermore, abundant chance of professional career as a geotechnical engineer enables me to gain practical experience by taking an internship. Excellent academic research and professional career will be a perfect combination of experience I will obtain from US.”

PART 2 In the next paragraph: Mention your future plan. You can be ambitious and specific at the same time. You can even return to any voluntary/platform that you are involved in/initiated. Example:

BODY OF ESSAYS (3) PAGE 23

“By continuing my study abroad will broaden my horizon and enhance my competitiveness in facing ASEAN Economic Community and other global communities. Upon completing my master degree in geotechnical engineering, I hope I could give contribution to research and academic sector. Lecturers in my department, especially who teach engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, earned their postgraduate degree in Japan, Australia, and Europe. It might be the time to bring experience from US. Being a Fulbright awardee will open my way in connecting a joint research between US universities and my department. In addition, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with Ministry of Public Works and Housing (KemenPU-PERA), is planning to open the first tunnel engineering program in Indonesia. It would be a good chance to implement my knowledge and upgrade the quality of geotechnics research which still becomes the second priority in my department.”

PART 3

You can add a conclusion to your scholarship essay or NOT. End it on your body explaining your future goal and contribution to Indonesia is sufficient. Example: “In summing up, deciding to continue my study in the US is not only for personal ambition to boost my career but the most important thing is I could obtain international experience in which later its positive value will be adopted to be a better Indonesia particularly for its infrastructure quality.”

CONCLUSION (OPTIONAL) PAGE 24

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

Give some time, at least one month to write Make an outline of things that you want to put in Make sure you answer all questions asked Comply with the maximum words/page (usually one page 500-750 words) Begin with attention-grabbing introduction Be concise and clear in each paragraph

Use appropriate linkers Use concrete examples of life: academic and professional experiences Focus on your strengths

DO’S PAGE 25

Leave it for a moment and read it again, you may find a new idea/perspective to add or omit in your essay

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

Grammatical errors Merely list all your past and current experiences or achievements like what is listed on CV Contractions (It’s... I don’t…)

Assume that your readers understand everything Underestimate/Overestimate your achievement

DON’TS PAGE 26

HOW TO WRITE AN APPEALLING ESSAY?

Confused? Search and read samples. Writer’s block? Try to write in a different place and just write even in Indonesian. Lazy? Do you want to repeat the same struggle next year? Then, yes go ahead! Not sure good enough? Ask others to read your essay(s). At least one from your background study to check on the content and terms, and another one to check the flow, structure, and grammar. How to start? Read again this part!

GENERAL TIPS PAGE 27

ESSAY FORMAT EXAMPLES

ESSAY FORMAT EXAMPLES

AUSTRALIA AWARD SCHOLARSHIP Doesn’t require essays You need to answer several questions within word limits ▪ Why did you choose your proposed course and institution*? (Maximum 2000 characters) ▪ How will the proposed study contribute to your career*? (Maximum 2000 character) ▪ How have you contributed to solving a challenge and to implementing change or reform? (Be specific and include what aspect/s of your leadership knowledge skills and practice you consider to be well established and effective; which people or organisations you work with to solve the problem and what creative methods were used)*: (maximum 2000 characters)

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ESSAY FORMAT EXAMPLES

CHEVENING Requires 4 essays on different topics: ▪ Leadership ▪ Professional Relationship Building

▪ Three hosen Universities ▪ Post-Study Career Plan You need to address each topic with a 500 word limit

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ESSAY FORMAT EXAMPLES

FULBRIGHT ESSAY

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ESSAY FORMAT EXAMPLES

STUNED

Why you apply for the chosen program; Your professional goals and how you intend to apply your study to Indonesian development;

What makes you the best candidate for this scholarship Maximum words: 500

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WHAT ABOUT UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY?

WHAT ABOUT UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY?

They generally ask the same thing! A couple of additions that you might have to mention: ▪ Research interest / possible thesis topic

▪ Specific courses that you want to take

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY PAGE 34

Check out some of the examples on the next slides.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/admissions/admissions/how-to-apply/statement-of-purpose/ PAGE 35

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY

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UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY

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UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY

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UNIVERSITY APPLICATION ESSAY

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Credits:

Presentation by Fina Alatas @America: https://www.facebook.com/atamerica/videos/2560143287439 236/ Fulbright Alumna Blog: https://iifhaniffa.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/ups-and-downsof-my-fulbright-journey-4-study-objective-vs-personalstatement/ Ms Adibah (Kobi Tutor)

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Useful Resources :

https://wordvice.com/how-to-write-a-strong-grad-school-statement-of-purpose/ https://english.washington.edu/writing-statement-purpose-general-advice https://iifhaniffa.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/ups-and-downs-of-my-fulbright-journey4-study-objective-vs-personal-statement/ http://comatosed-thoughts.blogspot.com/2015/06/my-fulbright-experience-anandamuhammad.html

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Q&A SESSION

Still have some questions in mind? Let’s discuss! ☺