Writing a strong personal statement

Most scholarships ask you to write about yourself. It can be called a personal statement, essays, a motivation letter, a "development contribution statement" or a study plan. The name changes, but the goal is the same. The panel (the people who choose) wants to understand who you are, what you want to study, why, and what you will do with it.

This guide gives you a plan for your text. It does not give you example answers to copy. Your text must be your own.

Start with the question

Before you write, copy the exact question and the word limit. Then underline each part of the question. A common mistake is to write a good text that answers a different question.

Then read how the panel will judge you. Providers usually explain it:

• Australia Awards Vanuatu looks at your past results at school or university, how you will help Vanuatu's development in the future, and your leadership at work and in life.
• Chevening looks at four things: leadership and influence, building good relationships at work, why you chose your course, and your career plan.

Each part of your text should show proof for one of these points.

A plan that works

You can use this plan for most questions.

1. The problem you care about. Write one or two sentences about a real problem or need: in Vanuatu, on your island, in your community or at work. Be precise. "Many students in my area leave school without…" is stronger than "Education is important".
2. What you have already done. Your studies, work, volunteer work, roles in your community or church. Choose two or three examples. Say what changed because of you.
3. Why this course, and why this place. Show that you read the course description. Which subjects or skills will you learn that you cannot learn now?
4. What you will do after. Explain what you will do when you come back: which job, which project, who it will help. Many scholarships ask you to return to Vanuatu, so this part is important.
5. A short ending. One or two sentences that link back to the problem from the beginning.

Give examples, not just words

For each example, say three things: the situation, what you did, and the result. "I organised a weekend study group for 15 Year 10 students; 12 passed their exams" says more than "I am a leader".

Your plan after your studies

Some programmes ask for this plan as a separate document. Australia Awards Vanuatu calls it a reintegration plan. It gives real examples of tasks where you will use your new skills. It also lists the problems that could stop you, and how you will solve them. Be practical and honest. A panel trusts a plan that talks about real difficulties.

Write it yourself

• Use your own words. Chevening says it is strictly forbidden to use AI software to write your answers. Chevening also uses tools to find cheating, copied text and text written by AI. Other providers may check too.
• Simple words are good. Panels prefer clear sentences to difficult words. Write as if you were explaining your plans to a teacher you respect.
• Ask someone to read it. Ask a teacher, a colleague, or someone who had a scholarship before. Ask them: "What is not clear? What can I remove?"
• Respect the word limit. Do not write more. If your text is much shorter, check that you answered every part of the question.
• Write in the language of your studies. If you will study in English, your text shows your English level. Ask someone to check spelling and grammar.

For a French university: the "lettre de motivation"

For a university in France, you usually write a lettre de motivation (motivation letter). It is shorter and more formal than an English personal statement. Campus France gives this advice for the first year of a licence (bachelor's degree):

• about one page, in three or four clear paragraphs;
• one paragraph about who you are (your studies, your strong points);
• one paragraph about why this course at this university;
• one paragraph about your project (more study, a job);
• a different letter for each university, without general sentences.

See also Studying in French.

Check before you send

• Did I answer every part of the question?
• Does each paragraph give proof for one of the points the panel looks at?
• Is my plan after the scholarship clear and real?
• Did I respect the word limit?
• Did someone else read it?
• Is everything true? A false statement can cancel your application or your scholarship.