Scholarship / Write a reference letter for yourself in the third person describing yourself. Scholarship essay [4]

Such a weird question, but the full question is:

Write a letter of reference for yourself in the third person describing how the applicant (you) meets these criteria. The letter should refer to the specific achievements and experiences. It may also comment on any weaknesses. (300 words max)

My answer is:

he tries his best

Looking at the scholarship's criteria, I believe Saifuddeen excels at all of them. Academically, he ranks at the top of the list. He is the only student in his year group with straight A*'s in his IGCSEs and one of only two students with 4 A's predicted for his A-levels, and we know that is way below his target. Outside the classroom, Saifuddeen is a beast in our basketball team. He was awarded the most improved player last year, and he truly was.

Alongside being academically and athletically exceptional, we strongly accept Saifuddeen as a leader in our school. As the head mentor of 2017/18, he not only mentors weak students academically and personally but also leads the mentoring team of 23 mentors. Lately, he wrote a status report from his own will where he summarised the progress and requested a meeting to solve the communication barriers. Not to mention that he was a prefect in year 11 and is currently a senior prefect, where he helps organise events, represents our school, and is simply a role model.

Saifuddeen always seeks to help others, and I am confident in his desire to make the world a better place. Recently, we trusted him to solely run a full revision session with his peers where he shared his advice and exam tips. He also does graphics enrichment, where he helps the teacher and shares his years of graphics experience with the younger students.

We are so proud to have a student who tries his best to make his school shine and rise. Saifuddeen represented our school in a huge worldwide science competition: The Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Being in the top 5% of over 3000 competitors, Saifuddeen suggested and is currently running an ECA club where he prepares our students to be the future winners.

I am exactly at the 300 limit, so I cant add anything else, and I have got more to add. The english is weak and sounds a bit wierd, but that's also due to the word limit. I would like some help with regards to the content and the language. Is that what the admissions officer wants to read? Is that strong enough for a very competitive scholarship?

Thanks for you time and feedback.

Scholarship / If you aren't awarded this scholarship, what are your plans for the next 4 years? Scholarship essay [3]

The question is: If you are not awarded the International Scholarship, what are your plans for the next four years? (100-word maximum)

My answer:

lower budget school

Since my ardent desire to attend a university cannot be described in words, applying only to this intensely competitive scholarship is not the wisest decision. I have got the academics to apply anywhere, but when it all comes down to finance, that is when things get tackling. It is for this reason why I am applying to some other lower cost universities with some form of financial aid as a backup plan. Not receiving this scholarship will be one of the biggest life obstacles I might face, but I learned that if one door closes, three others open.

I don't think the language is strong enough and needs a lot of improvement. The word "tackling" seems wrong to me, but I can't find a better phrase. I just wanted to ask for feedback on the content of my answer and some advice for making it stand out in terms of English and content.

Thanks for your time and effort.

Scholarship / A personal life experience with the lessons and experience you gained from it; scholarship essay [3]

The question is:

Describe a personal life experience that has had particular significance for you and highlight the reason(s) it was significant, whether it had an impact on others, and any insights or understandings you gained from it. (800-word maximum)

Here is my answer:

IGCSE exams experience

Exams start tomorrow. Everyone was scared, myself included, but for an utterly different reason. Everybody was afraid of the hard questions. I, on the other hand, was terrified of not meeting them. Will I do the exams? Time was ticking; is it just the time to give up now?

My family undoubtedly lived a happy life for as long as I can remember. My brother and I were always in international schools since our parents believe that good education is key to success. I am proud to have a father (who is an electrical engineer) and a mother (who is an artist) that are huge successful names in their industries, but sometimes, no one can beat life and its challenges.

My father's company suddenly faced a legal issue and before we knew it, we faced a terrible financial crisis. To make it worse, this was right after October, so nothing was paid from the school fees. I have been in this school for four years, and we previously paid the fees normally, so I guess that made them a bit lenient. Until the day right before my IGCSE exams came; will they allow me to enter the exam hall?

Should I study? It was a dead end; giving up was my only option. I threw myself on the bed as my mind screams: is that it? After all those years of academic thrive, it all just stops right here?

Despite the despair and pain, I decided to fight back. I decided to show life who am I and draw my destiny with my own bare hands. Even if I was not allowed to enter, and get embarrassed in front of all my friends, I will keep moving forward. With the love and motivation from my parents and help from my younger brother, I studied twice as hard. From crafting all those mind maps, to practising every past paper, defeating the odds was my vivid goal.

Time passed, and my first exam date arrived. I have never been in this situation before. Generously, they allowed me to enter, and none of my friends, nor even the teachers knew a thing. I truly own my school a huge credit to all my future success, and I will never forget that.

What would have happened if I did not study? The question that echoed in my mind after my exams were over. What would have been my excuse? This taught me a huge lesson in life: Never give up. Life hits are not an excuse, so stay strong and defy the odds.

I learned to always be ready for the opportunity to come. Do your best with what is available, and be hungry for more. I was lucky, based on Seneca's definition: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." I also learned to never make decisions based on negative future thoughts and guesses. Even if it is based on educated predictions, a backup plan is still a must.

I learned that life has its ups and downs. It does not matter how many times I fall on my face, it is how many times I stand back up and chase my dreams. We all hear this in motivational speeches, but I have been in it, and I am thrilled to have succeeded in my first life challenge.

I learned that helping others, even if with a smile, might dramatically change their future. Help is ubiquitously needed. We were a normal middle-class family, and we suddenly gasped for aid. Rich or poor, young or old, family or single, we all sometimes need other's hands to get up, and I will be that hand in the future.

I learned that everything will get solved one day; we just need to be patient. Fast forwarding two years to the present, all my fees have been paid and I am still part of this lovely school. They kindly offered me an academic scholarship - even though they stopped offering any - to continue with them, as we are not fully out of this crisis yet, but we will one day. I am humble and proud to be part of this school, and I will always be.

I learned that having my own business only leads to financial freedom. It is an arduous journey were people often get bankrupt, but once you reach it, that is when it all pays off. All the business books I have read explicitly state that, and so my dream for the future is to be financially free and use this to help make the world a better place.

Two years later, and as I am writing this sentence, I still ask myself: Would I have been the only student in my year group with straight A*'s in all my IGCSE subjects without this bold decision to never give up and keep moving forward?

Thanks for your time and I appreciate your help and any feedback.

Scholarship / Describe your academic goals and how they are appropriate to your long range goals Scholarship essay [5]

I am applying for an international scholarship for an undergraduate degree. The deadline is 15th of January.
The question is:
Describe your academic objectives and indicate how these are appropriate to your long-range goals. Please include specifically how a Bachelor's degree from our university will contribute to your achieving your longer-range goals. (100-word maximum).

My answer was:

Financial freedom is the goal

Since the very first lesson in that computer programming online course I did years ago, I realized that is where my future is heading. Taking IGCSE and A-level Computer Science, Maths, Chemistry and Physics made computer engineering the perfect fit for both my hobbies and my future career. Getting a Bachelor's degree from your university in Computer engineering will be the best step towards achieving my long-term goal: Financial freedom. The goal that is beautifully crafted in my head. After researching and reading books, I realized that only having my own computer engineering business leads to this glory.

Thanks for your help, and I appreciate any comments and feedback.