Winning a scholarship to study abroad can feel like catching lightning in a bottle—highly desirable, but seemingly impossible. However, each year, thousands of students do it. So, what’s their secret?
We spoke to five successful scholarship recipients from around the world and distilled their insights into practical, human-centered advice that goes beyond the usual “write a good essay” trope.
1. Be Authentic, Not Perfect
“I used to think I had to sound like a superhero in my application,” says Maria, who won a DAAD scholarship to study engineering in Germany. “But what worked was being honest about my struggles and what I learned from them.”
Scholarship committees are looking for real people—not robots. Authenticity in your essay can often stand out more than a perfect GPA.
2. Start Early, and Do Your Research
Abdul, a Fulbright recipient from Nigeria, emphasizes the importance of time. “I started preparing nine months before the deadline. I read everything—FAQs, sample essays, past winner profiles. I treated it like a job.”
Knowing each scholarship’s values, goals, and criteria can help you tailor your application and avoid generic submissions.
3. Get Feedback—From the Right People
Don’t rely solely on friends or family to review your materials. “I sent my essays to professors, past scholars, and even strangers on Reddit,” laughs Linh, a Vietnamese student who won an Erasmus scholarship. Constructive criticism can make a massive difference.
4. Highlight Impact, Not Just Achievement
What did you do, and why did it matter? “I talked about a small project I did teaching coding to girls in my neighborhood,” says Samira, a Chevening scholar. “It wasn’t a big NGO thing, but I explained the impact. That resonated.”
Demonstrating initiative and impact—especially at a grassroots level—can be more compelling than listing accolades.
5. Don’t Let Rejection Stop You
Many successful applicants weren’t chosen on their first try. “I got rejected twice before I got the MEXT scholarship,” says Akira from Kenya. “Each rejection taught me how to improve.”
Treat rejection as redirection, not a dead end.