I have received $40,000+ worth of university scholarships in the past three years, such as the UoA Top Achiever’s Scholarship, Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Bangkok and China Link Scholarship for Tsinghua University. From this experience, I have noticed patterns of what scholarship committees are really looking for; I will share with you one of my top advice for students to flourish in their applications.
This advice could seem difficult at first, but I promise it is entirely possible for you - especially if you’re in high school because you can start early. I will firstly tell you how I used this method, then secondly, why it works like a charm.
The advice: get national recognition for an extracurricular.
I tried a few extracurriculars in high school and pursued the ones I enjoyed and was good at.
For example, in year 9, I tried for the lacrosse team after being inspired by Wild Child. It was fun, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut. I played basketball for a couple of years. Despite making it to the A team, I never really found it fulfilling.
One day, a friend invited me to try-outs for some random sport that I would fall in love with: dragon boating. Despite not being naturally athletic, I was consistent and worked hard during trainings (we also had one of the best coaches). I was eventually good enough for the A team, which had a 21-year streak for winning the national championship.
Alongside academics and leadership experience, the dragon boating helped me to stand out in my Top Achiever’s Scholarship application, worth $20,000. I was very lucky to have been involved in the sport the previous years, only realising its impact on scholarship applications during the application time.
An internship interviewer once saw a few medals far in the background and asked about them. I’d left old medals over my lamp mindlessly, never considering anyone might notice those details. However, it gave me an opportunity to talk about a unique experience and stand out as a job candidate.
Your interest could be sports, music, dance, maths, debating, poetry, calligraphy - whatever you enjoy, are good at, and can stay consistent with. Consider whether that pursuit can lead you to eventually win an award - ideally 1st or 2nd place and ideally at a national level; international level would add even more weight.
It is totally doable because everyone is good at something. If they aren’t, they have the potential to be - or the potential to be part of something great, like doing it in a winning team. Team-based activities also provide the opportunity to develop valuable people and leadership skills.
And hey, your grades do matter too, so don’t neglect those in favour for your new origami-folding pursuits too much, deal?
Now, why is getting a national award so charming?
It communicates three things a) that you’ve worked hard for something. You can be committed and disciplined b) that when you are committed and work hard, you get results.
You might be thinking, don’t grades do that? You study hard then get good grades as a result?
Well, this leads to c) it shows PASSION.
We all must study at school, but extracurriculars are a choice. It shows you take initiative; you’re proactive; you pursue things you’re interested in and want to discover what you love.
That’s why even if you don’t end up getting an award, the effort invested will still be worth it. You will gain fulfilment from challenging yourself, doing a fun activity, connecting with others, and so on. It will help you become an all-rounded individual with strengths in multiple spheres and unique stories to share. It’s this type of enthusiasm and commitment that scholarship committees (and employers) are looking for.
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