Writing compelling motivation letters for your scholarship/degree applications

AYICC-Kenya volunteers look into the future-courageously 
I am writing this because I know there is a dire need for most of our volunteers to pursue a postgraduate (sometimes even the first degree), get a scholarship or whatever grant it might be. So this is for you. If you would like me to write on something else specific to academic progress, do leave a comment below. And of course additions, and corrections are welcome too!
When you are told to write a motivation letter, the selection committee is basically asking you to pitch your dream and make it real so that they can give you the money/opportunity to actualize it. In the first one paragraph, they should (must) know who you are, what your professional goal is, and they must locate your capabilities. 

E.g. I am xx years old Kenyan, with a bachelor’s/Msc degree in xx from xx university and applying for this scholarship/degree programme because of my professional interests/experiences in public policy and community development. I am actively involved as a volunteer with several youth organizations working on climate change, environmental education, and community development.  By pursuing further studies what will enable me diversify my skills in public policy and …bla bla bla

The selection committee also want to see how well you can articulate your capabilities (however small they might be!) especially how significant they could become if they were to fund/admit you. For example, if your work has been to help organize the visits to Watoto Wema children’s home, how would you studying a postgraduate degree make this something bigger e.g. managing a bigger community project. Here is an example 
E.g. As a volunteer to Watoto Wema children’s home, I mobilize young people from different youth networks and with their voluntary contributions of time and money, we carry out edutainment activities for the children three times a year. We are also involved in other projects at the home such as environmental education, establishing a kitchen garden, policy dialogues, and capacity building among others. These activities have been instrumental in shaping my professional career goals to become an expert in.....
Don’t allow the selection committee to read desperation (need/last resort) in your motivation letter (unless the grant/scholarship is attached to specific financial needs e.g. an orphan, single parent, marginalized community etc.). It is true that we need the scholarship because we cannot afford to pay ourselves, but it is also true that we professionally above everything else we also bring great skills and experience that if supported financially have a great potential to excel. This is what the selection committee should read. If the motivation is to ask for a job or a postgraduate academic scholarship, this is a real business deal that you are brokering. You need to show them that they will be losers if they don’t give you an opportunity by awarding you the scholarship. You need to show them that you do master the profession, and can identify where you have a gap that needs further improvement. I will use the Watoto Wema example again; of the two statements below, if I was in the selection committee, I will be obliged to fund statement B.
(A) My family is very poor, but I try my best to support other poor children at Watoto Wema children’s home during my free time who are also facing the same challenges of poverty, education, health and environmental pollution. I hope that a scholarship will help me address these challenges
(B) As a young undergraduate, I spend my free time volunteering at Watoto Wema, a home for orphaned children, where I daily interact with and help develop solutions to developmental challenges such as poverty, environmental pollution, health and education. These have prompted me to want to rise beyond my current state, the reason for applying for this scholarship/degree programme
You need to be concise in your motivation letter. But you also need to show the selection committee where you are coming from and where you are going with the grant/scholarship you are asking for. Help them paint a picture of you in the future. Will you be leading the country? Will you be aspiring for specialized skills? Remember, it’s all about realizing your dream.

E.g. If granted the scholarship, I intend to carry out research on the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, which has been my interest/work areas in the past years while working with AYICC-Kenya. In the next ten years, I want to become a public policy expert working for an international organization carrying out research and advising on climate change and development policies. This scholarship offers me the first step to realizing my potential and my dreams.

Finally, get someone else to read your motivation letter and give you a sensible critic. Every comment counts, even when you don’t like it. It will help if you take each of them positively. So do get one or two people to read your application. And, do it early enough! Last minute requests might just be faced with no answer and you might be discouraged.


Comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Grace, nice piece...I really read this to the last word and got quite impressed by the detail and relevance to young professionals especially in the wonderful AYICC family. We should have more of these coming,,,....

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've read your post. Obviously, it's informative. But the format you scratch here is diverse from the writing a motivation letter service although they claim them-selves as expert motivation letter writer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Probably the most common motivation letter for university application questions that people get asked is concerning the qualifications of the staff. You will always make use of a writer that is qualified having a higher degree inside the subject area of the application. They may also be fully experienced motivational letter writers and incredibly aware of just about all requirements and software processes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Every year many students decide to leave their country and continue education abroad. Because of the keen competition, you have to write an excellent motivation letter in order to be chosen by the selection committee. If you have some problems with your motivation letter, visit this website: Essayservice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am thinking about education abroad and I've read dozens of useful articles and tips that help me a lot. I've read interviews of young people who became students of foreign universities, and they all say about importance of motivation letter for education abroad. As for me, my writing skills are not good enough, that's why I've decided to order a persuasive motivation letter here: http://www.professional-essay-writing.com.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Strategies on how to write a medical school personal statement that will make you stand out from the crowded field of applicants and get you admitted to medical school. A preview: Focusing on your passions and motivations, rather than your "me-too" activities, is the best way to create a persuasive personal statement. scholarship letter

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The postgraduate period is the time where you can apply for the best career building and the cover letter writing ideas which will be influencing you throughout your career. business letter writing

    ReplyDelete
  10. This blog made me your crazy follower. I am deeply impressed by your work and therefore adding you in my favorite list so that next time I could read you again.Scholarships Search

    ReplyDelete
  11. Individuals who are as of now dedicated to the congregation regularly make incredible augmentations to the adolescent service group. youth

    ReplyDelete
  12. thanks for give high quality content. your content help me to inspiration for next time

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oysters Beach, Gurgaon opened its doors for its 2nd season on April 16, ... and shall have a special introductory offer price 1500 per person with all meals
    Oysters beach gurgaon
    Water Park In Gurgaon

    ReplyDelete
  14. River Rafting in Rishikesh - Offer Best Deal for Rishikesh River Rafting and Camping, Camping Rafting Packages in Rishikesh
    Rafting
    River Rafting in rishikesh
    Jungle Camps in Rishikesh

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good tips for application essay. However, proofreading your essay is an important activity to make your essay great! Check this site out. Evolution Writers You write it, we right it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks a lot, thanks for sharing this motivation letter. http://www.radarkampus.com/2016/07/tips-to-write-a-good-motivation-letter.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is nice article and I am looking for the same or we are providing some stuff, interested person can checkout below the link
    Shadow fight 2 Mode APK

    ReplyDelete

  18. New Year Packages Near Delhi Book Now:-
    Observe New Year's Eve in style by heading out to experience it in one of the world's most energizing goals with British Airways. Visit: New year Packages Near Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  19. New Year 2017 is an event of pleasures. So we should praise it together with charming and a brilliant flavoring of move gathering, boundless beverages, mixed drink, barkeeps, bucketful of snacks, commencement to be the most energizing one and exquisite scrumptious food stuff with New Year bundles close Delhi.
    Visit: http://newyearpackage.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  20. Weddings are extraordinary so why get hitched in a normal place. It is not obligatory to have a goal wedding. There are a lot of stunning wedding settings in and around Delhi you ought to look at on the off chance that you are making arrangements for a wedding at any point in the near future. Visit: http://resorts.neardelhi.in/wedding-venues-delhi.html

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great post!! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your hard work.
    Study Abroad Consultants in Chennai
    Study in Germany Consultants in Chennai
    Germany Education Consultants in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  22. discipleship training The C.S. Lewis Institute was founded in 1976 and endeavors, in the legacy of C.S. Lewis, to develop disciples who will articulate, defend and live their faith in Christ in personal and public life.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  26. Afu University overview
    Afu University sru/vision-and-mission
    Afu University goals
    Afu University university-council
    Afu University messages
    Afu University recruitment
    Afu University qualifications
    Afu University promotion
    Afu University professional-development
    Afu University evaluation
    Afu University full-time
    Afu University corporate-governance
    Afu University undergraduate-programs
    Afu University graduate-programs
    Afu University academic-honors-list
    Afu University undergraduate-admission
    Afu University admission/afu-general-

    ReplyDelete
  27. I was doing an online research on How to Select the Best Essay Writing Service before I landed on this amazing post. I have read through the article and I have learned important skills of writing a compelling motivation letter for scholarship applications and I will recommending this site to students who are majorly the targeted audience.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Tixilo is an online car rental booking service which offers reliable, timely and safe cab services at highly competitive prices.

    Car Rental Jodhpur

    ReplyDelete
  29. http://jaipurrealty.com
    http://furnitureworkjaipur.com
    http://interiordecorationjaipur.com
    http://wallpaintingjaipur.com
    http://modularkitchensjaipur.com
    http://civilconstructionjaipur.com
    http://constructioncompanyjaipur.com
    http://civilcontractorjaipur.com
    http://falseceilingjaipur.com
    http://bathroomplumbersanitary.com
    http://usedpartsjaipur.com
    http://squarerealestate.in

    ReplyDelete
  30. Scholarships enable the students who are capable but limited financially to have the opportunity to advance their studies. Having an opportunity as this enables the scholars to have the assurance that they will make it in their studies without financial constraints. In this case, I would wish that we refer more people to this useful content. Example of an MLA Essay

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nice stuff @http://movies.don9ja.com/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for sharing. Very Informative. Get latest news feed Newsaura

    ReplyDelete
  33. Visit for IT info to manage all types of projects.Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post. replica diploma

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great information...Your post the very informative i have learned some information about your blog thank you for Sharing the great information.....
    Bachelor Party in Delhi NCR
    Birthday Party organiser in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  38. You have provided the professional tips about how to get the study abroad motivation letter that will help you to achieve the desired position at the educational program of the university you like. It will be not so easy to write such a letter with a correct format and style. But with the help of different tips and guides and already written professional samples you can finish this task and get the good letter of motivation that will attract the readers and it will be easier for them to make their decision.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Really inspirational to hear someone pursuing their dreams and becoming successful instead of following the traditional path. I have read your article about This topic. I think it's good and impressed to know your service. Thanks for share this Information.
    Cisco SG350X POE

    ReplyDelete
  40. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. fast essay

    ReplyDelete
  41. http://www.marioacevedo.com/2017/07/summer-2017.html

    ReplyDelete
  42. Grammar, vocabulary, tenses, indirect speech, passive sentences must always be keep in mind while writing a blog. Everyone must read this blog. This is going to help everyone.
    Cisco RV042

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for the blog filled with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for. Now my task has become as easy as ABC. Good Read Articles

    ReplyDelete
  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am thankful for this blog to gave me much knowledge regarding my area of work. I also want to make some addition on this platform which must be in knowledge of people who really in need. Thanks.
    สเปรย์ทำความสะอาด

    ReplyDelete
  46. This blog aware me about different programs which can become very useful for our friends and kids. Few websites provide combined courses and few of the are separately for single subject. Glad to get this information.
    FortiAP 221C

    ReplyDelete
  47. Most of the blogs pretend themselves as most usable and updated blogs with new information but sometime truth might different. I want to share some facts related to this subject which will help people to enhance their skills.
    ร้าน เครื่อง เขียน ขายส่ง

    ReplyDelete
  48. Wow! This is the perfect blog I am looking this type of blog its awesome blog here , share great information about this topic. This informative blog helps many readers with their decision-making regarding the situation. Great articles and will look forward for more!
    TeraStation 3410RN Series

    ReplyDelete
  49. This blog is really helpful regarding all educational knowledge I earned. It covered a great area of subject which can assist a lot of needy people. Everything mentioned here is clear and very useful.
    ที่ปรึกษา ISO

    ReplyDelete
  50. Bawloo Infotech is a premium design agency that focuses on quality, innovation, & speed. We utilized technology to bring results to grow our clients businesses. We pride ourselves in great work ethic, integrity, and end-results. Throughout the years Bawloo Infotech has been able to create stunning, award winning designs in multiple verticals while allowing our clients to obtain an overall better web presence.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IT IS TIME FOR AFRICA TO BUILD ITS OWN CAPACITY

THE KENYA CLIMATE FINANCE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.