What not to do when applying for a programme
Cargill Global Scholars Programme is a two-year scholarship programme institutionalized by Cargill and the Institute of International Education(IIE) that aims at developing future leaders. The scholarship brings along with it, financial aid for its scholars, year-long mentorship programmes and in-country and global summits.
Cargill India opens applications for this coveted scholarship to only a handful of institutions in the country. Credits to the great reputation that the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli carries with it, the university had already made it into Cargill’s list.
All I had to do was apply for the program and wait for it to unfold.
Insights from the Cargill Global Scholarship Rejection
As you might have guessed from the title, I ended up not getting the scholarship. It was my first stint at a full-fledged application in college and it was heartbreaking to see that dreaded rejection mail.
In retrospect and after comparing mine with a winning application, I decided to jot down a few points future applicants might NOT want to do in their application.
- Don’t just write a good essay, tailor it!
When I finished writing my essays and read them after a few rounds of edits, I was pretty proud of myself. It was a heart-touching true essay, or so I thought. I realised later that I had written a GOOD essay, but not one that was TAILORED to the requirements of the application.
It is very important to back your claims and dreams with substantial experience to show the reviewers that you aren’t just building castles in the air, which precisely was what I had missed out on.
I am adding links to my GOOD but UN-TAILORED personal statements. Feel free to go through them and do suggest what else the newbie applicant could have done.
- https://navyavijayan.medium.com/musings-of-a-19-year-old-personal-statement-sometime-in-2018-7db349e52bd9
- https://navyavijayan.medium.com/the-walk-through-the-iccu-intensive-coronary-care-unit-cdb2c9aa2979
2. Don’t write essays that lack a STRONG PURPOSE
This comes with proper research about the scholarship programme itself. Check and recheck the cause behind and see if your purpose aligns well with this cause. Don’t just write a generic essay, write a niche befitting one. Your essay and vision need to match with that of the scholarship programme.
3. Don’t forget to REVIEW
When I say get it reviewed, get help from experienced people when doing so. Past applicants and winners, seniors and your parents might be able to help you here. In the belief that my essay was in almost perfect shape, I didn’t get anyone to review it for me. Never ever do that. Have at least two experienced hands review it for you, if not more.
4. Don’t WORRY about factors that you don’t have control over!
Yes, this is something more easily said than done. I am learning too. There might be many varying unseen caveats and dynamic ones at that, which play out significantly each year. These can include GPA, the competition that year, your reviewer’s point of view etc. These are factors that one has no control over once the application is sent through. It is important to not fret about these and just keep going on.
Disclaimer: This is a collection of my insights solely based on my experience with the application. While I would be elated if this helps you, I will not advise sticking to JUST this.
Each of us has a unique style and persona. Keep being true to yourself, keep applying and reach for beyond the skies!
PS: The rejection mail was actually very sweet and nice, what do you think?
PPS: I got this article reviewed (Yes, I learn from mistakes :p) by the wonderful Purnima Unnikrishnan, who is a Cargill global scholar herself and a very dear friend.
