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How to Craft Your Essay for the Presidential Scholarship
By Daur, ScholarshipTop founder and scholarship data reviewer
Reviewed by ScholarshipTop editorial review · Published Apr 24, 2026
ScholarshipTop editorial guide. Writing guidance does not guarantee eligibility, selection, or award payment.
Understanding the Prompt
Begin by carefully reviewing the scholarship prompt. Identify key themes and requirements that the committee may prioritize. Reflect on how your experiences and aspirations align with the values of the University of Fort Lauderdale.
Brainstorming Across the Four Buckets
Utilize the four material buckets to gather relevant content:
- Background: Consider your upbringing, education, and experiences that have shaped your worldview. What specific moments or influences have directed your path?
- Achievements: List your accomplishments, focusing on quantifiable metrics. What leadership roles have you held? What initiatives have you led, and what were their outcomes?
- The Gap: Identify areas where you seek growth. What knowledge or skills do you hope to gain from your studies at the University of Fort Lauderdale, and how will this scholarship help you bridge that gap?
- Personality: Reflect on your values and passions. What unique perspectives do you bring? Include specific anecdotes that reveal your character and motivations.
Structuring Your Outline
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Organize your thoughts into a coherent outline. Aim for a clear introduction, body, and conclusion:
- Introduction: Start with an engaging moment or scene that encapsulates your journey.
- Body: Dedicate sections to each of the four buckets. Ensure each paragraph focuses on one idea, providing evidence and reflection.
- Conclusion: Summarize your aspirations and the impact of the scholarship on your future.
Drafting Voice and Style
Write in an active voice, emphasizing your role in experiences. Avoid bureaucratic language and clichés. Each sentence should serve a purpose, driving your narrative forward. Use specific details, such as timeframes and outcomes, to enhance credibility.
Revision and “So What?” Reflection
After drafting, take time to revise. Ask yourself, “So what?” for each section. Ensure that every paragraph contributes to your overall narrative and reflects your growth and future aspirations. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to refine your essay further.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Be mindful of these common mistakes:
- Avoid vague statements about passion without evidence.
- Steer clear of passive voice; always highlight your actions.
- Do not fabricate experiences or achievements; authenticity is key.
- Refrain from using generic openers; start with a compelling moment instead.
FAQ
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Applications can be submitted at any time. The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications to this programme meets every March, July and November. Application requirements Application Requirements doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent) awarded no longer than 12 years prior to the date of application. 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Please select your status and your country to enable you to submit an application Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermudas Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile China, PR Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatani Ethiopia Fiji Finland France French Guayana Gabon Gambia Georgia Ghana Greece Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong (CN) Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, the Republic of Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao (CN) Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) Tahiti Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand The Dutch Antilles Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe „Country“ is the country in which you are living and from which you are applying. If you come from another country, please contact us to find out whether you are eligible for the programme of your choice. More Information Postdoctoral researchers Faculty Graduates are people who already have at least one first academic degree, e.g. Bachelor. Your status and/or country is not in the list? If your status and/or country is not included in the list, you cannot apply for this scholarship programme. To ensure that only scholarship programmes for which you are eligible to apply are shown, please select your status and your country in the results list (left-hand column). Copy this link: Copy this link: daad.de/go/en/stipa10000169 Print as PDF
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