Chevening uses independent Reading Committees to assess all eligible applications, and this year, they assessed over 53,000 eligible Chevening Scholarship applications for 2020/2021 intake. Based on their collective feedback, we have highlighted some of the most common reasons applications were not scored as highly as they could have been, and what applicants can do to improve their essays for the future.
essay questions chevening
Before start writing, think about what leadership accomplishments that you had. List all down and select two to three examples that gave great impact and made you learn the most. Each question only allows 500 words hence we really need to be careful to choose which experience to be put in the essay. If you can, try to put examples in different cases and environment to show that you have a range of leadership experiences.
While questions about leadership and networking are more to dig your skills and capability in becoming a potential future leader, in my opinion, questions about studying in the UK and career plan are crucial to showing your cause, passion and how do you stay true with that. This can be a very critical part that would differentiate you from other applicants I guess, as I would say that Chevening is looking for people who would serve and build their community. So, it is important to answer the last 2 questions coherently.
One thing I always shared to Chevening applicants who asked me to proofread their essay is: make a clear plan and breakdown into short term, mid-term and long term goal. Ensure each breakdown is contributing to your long-term goals if that makes sense? This way, it shows that you know how to get there. In my case, I wrote for immediate plans (2 years after study), the next 5 years and beyond 5 years. Make sure that your career goals are answering your concern and supporting your passion (stated in question no.3) which forms a more congruent essay.
Thank you so much!My leadership essay exceeds the word count of 500, will the reading committee consider my application? this is my biggest concern, please leave me a reply if you know about the issue.
Thank you. Your insights shed bright lights on what panel really look for and what they expect. It is my first year applying for Chevening. The process itself offers so much excitement. I am a language teacher and want to develop myself as leader and influencer in education. Could I contact you directly to get help for my essays? thank you.
Hi Isaiah, they support non-partners too. If Im not mistaken, what makes different between partner and non-partner is the scholarship ratio between chevening and the sponsors (partner). For awardee, there wont be any impact.
Hello !I am a student applying for Chevening . This is my first time. I have no IG or FB. May i have your mail ID? I request you to proofread my essays and offer feedback.Many thanks,M
Halo, Kak Lauren! What an inspiring article :)) Kak Lauren, would you please be my mentee for Chevening ? I do really need someone to review my essay. Hopefully you can be my mentee. Thankyou in advance :))
Hi Laurensia, thank you for such great tips on writing the chevening essay. I have been applying for chevening scholarship for the past 3 years and I am not shortlisted for interviews. I was wondering if you would be able to give me points on my essays? It would be great help for me. Thank you!
Hello, I am really glad i came across your blog. My questions are, I was given admission in only one University and that is the course i really wanted, can i just focus on that one course? I also want to know, what to know the most challenging stage for you. How long can the process of writing the essay take? Do i need someone to guide and coach me physically?
I faced a common problem while writing the four questions (asked in a form of an essay) in the application form. The problem was that there were a lot of achievements I had to write but the questions were sort of intertwined so, it was resulting in the repetition of points. So, before writing these questions, make sure you understand the demand of each question and categorize all your achievements in such a way that it fits into the different questions properly and there is no repetition.
Note: The Students should focus on originality and must not copy from previously selected candidate essays. There is a high chance that the scrutiny committee will find it through the plagiarism software and out rightly reject your application. Also, if you are not truthful in your application process, you may not be able to show your passion in the interview stage or get caught by the Interviewer as they are highly experienced people. So, one last Mantra, be honest in your application process and you will get through.
Sometimes, people are requesting me to share my essays with them. I sincerely request you all to kindly refrain from doing so. I will not be able to share them. However, you can send me your essays and I will definitely give my comments, suggestions and also if needed, I will discuss the same on the phone with you. I am there to help at all the stages of the Chevening scholarship. Keep Calm and Apply for Chevening Scholarship. All the best!
The final essay you will write for your Chevening scholarship application is on your career plan. The question you will be answering in this essay is; Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Please outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals. You may wish to consider how these relate to what the UK government is doing in your country. (Minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)
This being your last essay, do not submit very early because you might get stronger examples in leadership or networking because as a leader you continue to evolve and grow. At the same time do not wait till the last day due to unforeseen circumstances such as power outage, network problems or computer crashing that can make you fail in submitting your essays in time.
Finally be authentic, give your story and do not copy essays of previously selected scholars. The readers can detect plagiarism (an academic offence ) and it makes your interviews in later stages easier when you own your story. In addition, use simple grammatically correct English sentences. Your essays are the opportune moment to create a first impression and writing skills are paramount in this. Have people to proofread your essays for guidance and where you use abbreviations, make sure you give their meaning initially.
This brings to an end the Chevening essays guidelines for now. We will be focusing on sustainable agriculture and food security till shortlisting takes place next year when we shall do an article on preparing for the interview.
You have given a new sense of expression for writing essay for Chevening Scholarships. Surely, it will not only enhance acumen of the prospective scholars but also create the chances to be an effective writer in future.thanks a lot.
Thanks for your articles, Samuel. I have found in them valuable references as I prepare my essays for the scholarship. While your guidance on planning the essays themselves is thorough, inclusion of the grading template has been helpful in building a connection to the expected outcome. I was wondering if you can point me to a resource where I can refer the grading template for the Career Plan Essay? Thanks in advance for your time.
You are a real Chevening scholar and true African leader. May Allah continues to stand in your favour.Reading your Chevening essay gives me a strong hope to be successful come 2023,because you have outlined what should be done to meet a successful requirement.Thanks once more.Chernoh Mohamed Jalloh, Sierra Leone.
Are you looking for the questions answer of Chevening scholarship? Here I share with you the essay question answers sample. When you go through the online application system for Chevening Scholarship, you will the face questions on Leadership and influence, Networking, Studying in the UK and career Plan. See below to get the questions answer.
Your networking essay should include clear examples of relationships that you have created, established and maintained. Highlight how these relationships have helped you in your personal growth and the work you do. As a potential Chevening scholar, you should be able to draw from each example the skills learned and how they will benefit you. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that you are able to make the most of the opportunities presented to you.
This essay will allow you to create a 2-year and 5- to 10-year plans. Your goals and plans should be achievable. They should also reflect your career plan. When writing your career plan, the most important thing to remember is not to write it as a Curriculum Vitae. Instead, focus on your impact, career path, and journey. Your career journey is a great way to connect to your next career move. This could be pursuing a masters. It is important to show a clear understanding of your future goals, how they can be achieved, and long-term ambitions.
This essay should not be duplicated. However, you may link the information. It will also require you to list three universities to which you are applying, as well as the names of the courses offered by each university and the reasons you chose that particular university.
In answering this essay, your chief role is to show that you have very strong networking skills (strong relationship building skills) which you use to influence others, and succinctly demonstrate how you will employ these skills in the future.
This is Part 3 of my series on tips to apply for the Chevening Scholarship sponsored by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Make sure to read Part 1: Building a Profile and Part 2: Writing your essays first.
If you are reading this article, you have most probably progressed to the essay section in your Chevening application, and are wondering how you can sell yourself to a scholarship with one of the most rigid requirements in the world in a mere 500 words? The Leadership essay is undoubtedly the heart of your Chevening application, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it can make or break your application. So, it is important to carefully choose what you write because EVERY. WORD. COUNTS. (Literally). 2ff7e9595c
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