Commonwealth Scholarship Essay Review Café – Key Takeaways!

The Commonwealth Scholarship Essay Review Café was a truly insightful session. Out of 151 registered participants, 49 actively joined the session—a testament to the level of commitment among applicants and, sadly, the challenges of IT and data access faced by many young people.

The highlight of the session? Participants were overwhelmed by the innovative approach of live essay reviews conducted by past and current Commonwealth Scholars. This peer-to-peer feedback opportunity allowed applicants to refine their essays in real-time while addressing key gaps.

From the essays reviewed, here are common mistakes we observed that every applicant should address before hitting the submit button:

1️⃣ Be Specific About Your Development Impact

Clearly articulate the challenges you aim to tackle and how your study relates to global, national, and local issues within a CSC theme. Your essay should reflect issues that cut across national boundaries yet are deeply prevalent in your community (e.g., youth unemployment, poverty reduction, or climate change). Remember, your readers are specialists—be factual and precise.

2️⃣ Address the 5Ws and 1H in Your Second Essay

For the essay on how you'll apply your skills post-study, address the following:

• WHAT skills do you hope to acquire?
• WHY are these skills crucial?
• WHEN and WHERE will you apply them?
• HOW will you implement them?

3️⃣ Be Realistic About Your Outcomes

Avoid overly ambitious projections. For instance, claiming a 20% poverty reduction as an outcome is unrealistic. Tailor your outcomes to institutional, policy, organizational, or community-level changes. Ensure they are SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

4️⃣ Outline Your Proposed Study in Detail

Link your proposed study to your goals. Familiarize yourself with programme modules and describe how they will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary for your development plans. Avoid copy-pasting; instead, tailor your response to your specific study area.

5️⃣ Detail Your Engagement Plans During the Award

Describe how you will engage with the academic and social environments while in the UK. Mention activities like volunteering, networking with professionals, participating in cultural events, or collaborating with institutions in your field.

6️⃣ Show Commitment in Career Plans

Avoid generic statements like “I intend to work with the government.” Specify the departments or agencies you plan to engage with. Ensure your career plans align with the aims of the CSC award—saying you want to pursue a PhD immediately post-study can signal a lack of alignment.

7️⃣ Use the STAR Approach in Your Personal Statement

Stick to the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Avoid emotional appeals. Focus on your background, experiences, and achievements that align with your goals, showing how the scholarship will fill specific knowledge or skills gaps.

8️⃣ Avoid Common Pitfalls

Be mindful of:

• Grammar and spelling errors.
• Ignoring word count limits.
• Failing to answer questions directly.
• A lack of coherence in the narrative—your application should tell a compelling, unified story.

As the deadline approaches, I encourage applicants to critically review their essays, address these issues, and ensure their applications tell a clear and convincing story. Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—make it count!

Many thanks to our Reviewers – Abolaji Ogunjimi AMRSB Queenette Nwariaku Adedoyin Yusuf Olumayowa Andrew, CFSN, MNIFST Akeemat Ayinla Temiloluwa Jokotola . Special thanks to Mercy Ojetunde and Babajide Milton Macaulay, Ph.D., EMBA for sharing the event with their network members.

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