This is a thread about applying for graduate scholarships! I'll share my story of winning the Marshall Scholarship and give some tips on writing an application.
- @marcos_felt
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#BeAMarshall @MarshallAlums @MarshallScholar
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Photo: Marshalls at @10DowningStreet

First, here are some scholarships for the UK
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@MarshallScholar (anywhere in the UK )
@rhodes_trust (Oxford)
@Gates_Cambridge (Cambridge)
Churchill (STEM Cambridge )
Mitchell @trinavargo (Ireland )
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#AcademicChattter #AcademicTwitter #phdchat #PhD

These scholarships are looking for people with stellar academics + potential to lead in their field or in government.

So you need to show them you are a !

If you're like me, it's hard to see yourself as a , much less how to convince someone else of it.

But my fellowships advisor gave a good tip: JUST WRITE

So in May 2017, five months before the final deadline, I started writing.

No constraints.
Just free writing.
Some of it was good.
A lot was RUBBISH !

I turned the best bits of free-writing into essays. Then, I revised, over and over and over again.

I focused on three things:
1. Having a clear theme (mine was automation in chemistry)
2. Showing I had big goals for the future
3. Showing that studying in the UK was essential to my goals

Even after I was given my campus nomination, I wrote at least 10 more drafts of my essays. In total, I wrote OVER 30 DRAFTS!!! Interestingly, most Marshalls have told me they did the same.

Once I submitted my app to the Marshall in September, I waited anxiously.
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In November 2017, I got an interview!! I was elated!!

The interview was TOUGH!! 25 questions in 30 minutes. I recommend reviewing your old major classes and any second languages you speak...those could come up.

I ended up winning the Marshall Scholarship, but I would have been happy that I went through the process either way. I learned about myself and how to express my goals.

The rest is history! If you're thinking about applying for the Marshall, feel free to reach out!

Also, check out @FutureColleague, an org created to help people apply for prestigious scholarships.