Phrasing to express interest in specific scholarship? Forum

[Quick Silver]

Is there a tactful way to express interest in a specific scholarship?

I'm applying to a school I'm confident I'll get into, but this specific scholarship would mean a big difference in my going.

Is there a tactful way to introduce my interest in my statement? I don't want to seem to bold or presumptuous.

"_______ is a primary reason/incentive for my application...." (This language would show how important it is to me, but I don't want to be too much).

"I hope to be considered for the _____ scholarship....." (This language is softer but I hope it doesn't understate how important the scholarship is to me).

"I am especially interested in the ______ Scholarship." This is a happy medium.

Please Note: in all three, I follow with substantive reasons why this specific scholarship is a good fit for me.

Thoughts/advice?

[CFC1524]

Just to clarify:

Does the school want applicants to express interest in the scholarship? If they do, do they want you to do so in your personal statement, or as part of a separate application?

Starting out a personal statement with an explanation as to how / why you are a good fit for a school's (presumably) high-end scholarship seems like a bad (and unnecessary) idea. That kind of thinking doesn't really go along with a PS topic, plus it can (as you alluded to) come off as a bit presumptuous

[Quick Silver]

Thanks - Good questions/Points

There is no specific statement for the scholarship.

I called the admissions office and they suggested including it in the "Why X Law School" statement.

Also, I made sure not to start the statement about it, just to include it. Just not sure how exactly to introduce it.

[debdeb2]

It would probably be odd to mention it in your essay. If it is for a certain area of law, and your personal statement naturally touches on that, that should be sufficient.

If you apply and are accepted, I think you could probably find a way to broach the topic with someone in admissions. That is, if you are not offered it right off the block. Best of luck -

[CFC1524]

It would probably be odd to mention it in your essay. If it is for a certain area of law, and your personal statement naturally touches on that, that should be sufficient.

Agree with the above - I wouldn't mention the scholarship per say in the statement, but the way you describe whatever growth you're talking about can definitely portray you as a good candidate. Admissions committee's are smart, they'll connect the dots.

Mentioning in a "Why X" seems like a better idea than the personal statement, but I'm still not sure its a good idea. If the admissions committee wants to give you the scholarship, they will; if they want an extra essay about the scholarship in particular (and this happens), they usually inform the group of applicants they're interested in at some point during the admissions process; if they want to receive information from everybody about the scholarship, they say so explicitly in the application instructions. I'm not sure its going to be a bad thing, but I'm not sure what the benefits are, and I think there's a potential for bad things. So with all that mind, I wouldn't do it, but hey, this is you and not me. If you think it'll increase your chances, go for it