University of British Columbia MasterCard Scholarship: Essay Tips

Summary

In this informative video, Victor, a PhD student and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Warwick, shares his expertise on securing international scholarships. He provides a detailed guide on how to effectively answer the five essay questions for the Mastercard Scholarship at the University of British Columbia, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling, community involvement, and demonstrating financial need. Victor's insights aim to help applicants craft compelling scholarship essays that stand out.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Victor, a PhD student and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Warwick, shares his experience with international scholarships and provides guidance on applying for them.
• 📚 The YouTube channel focuses on discussing fully funded international scholarships at top universities and Victor has been awarded five and accepted three scholarships.
• 📝 Victor provides a detailed walkthrough on how to write essays for the Mastercard Scholarship at the University of British Columbia, covering five specific questions.
• 💭 For the first essay question, Victor suggests situating personal passion or interest in a specific place and time, and connecting it to global or national issues, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 🌟 Emphasize personal achievements in community involvement by using 'I' statements to demonstrate individual contributions rather than group efforts.
• 🏫 When explaining the choice of UBC, consider the university's rankings, the specific department's strengths, course modules, facilities, and potential professors for collaboration.
• 🔍 Show a clear connection between the chosen program at UBC and long-term career and personal goals, including how the skills and connections gained will aid in achieving these goals.
• 🚀 Highlight the drive behind pursuing goals, which could be a passion for solving a particular problem or addressing a need related to one's field of study.
• 💪 Describe a situation where a significant obstacle was overcome, detailing the reaction to the challenge, the actions taken, and the lessons learned.
• 💰 For the financial need question, provide a clear picture of past scholarships and assistance, current income, and why it's insufficient for further studies, emphasizing the potential impact of the Mastercard Scholarship.
• 📈 Victor encourages applicants to be creative and personal in their applications, tailoring the suggestions to their unique experiences and stories.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Victor's YouTube channel?

The main focus of Victor's YouTube channel is to provide guidance on how to obtain fully funded international scholarships in top universities around the world.

How many international scholarships has Victor been awarded, and how many has he accepted?

Victor has been awarded five international scholarships and has accepted three, declining two.

What is the specific scholarship discussed in the video?

The specific scholarship discussed in the video is the Mastercard Scholarship at the University of British Columbia.

What does the Mastercard Scholarship cover for its recipients?

The Mastercard Scholarship covers everything including living allowance, tuition, travel costs, and other necessities for the recipients.

What is the first question that applicants need to answer in their scholarship essays?

The first question applicants need to answer is to tell their story, highlighting what is important to them and how it reflects who they are, in 200 to 300 words.

What is the advice given for situating one's passion or interest in place and time?

The advice given is to come up with a story of how the particular interest or passion was picked up, possibly related to career, professional, or academic development, or something that affects society and personal life.

How should applicants connect their personal interests to a broader context?

Applicants should connect their personal interests to nationwide or global interests or issues, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, to show the relevance and impact of their interests beyond their personal experience.

What is the STAR method mentioned in the context of describing community involvement?

The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is a structured approach to describe a real-life scenario, detailing the problem, the actions taken, and the outcomes or impacts of those actions.

What is the significance of using 'I' when describing community involvement in the scholarship essay?

Using 'I' is significant because it emphasizes the individual's personal contributions and achievements within a group or team, avoiding the tendency to hide behind group accomplishments.

How should applicants address the question about their interest in studying at the University of British Columbia?

Applicants should address this by researching the university's and department's rankings, the specific modules offered, the facilities and resources available, and the professors' profiles, especially those whose research aligns with their interests.

What is the purpose of discussing past financial assistance or scholarships received in the final essay question?

Discussing past financial assistance or scholarships received serves to demonstrate a track record of utilizing opportunities effectively, showing appreciation for the support, and highlighting the applicant's ability to excel academically with such assistance.