Name: Daniela
Course: Master of Laws
University: London School of Economics (LSE)
Home Country: Brazil
“I am deeply grateful and honoured to be a part of Chevening’s 40th cohort. This scholarship isn’t just an opportunity to study; it’s a privilege to join a global network of driven, compassionate, and purpose-led individuals. As Chevening celebrates four decades of empowering leaders worldwide to drive positive change, I feel inspired to embrace this legacy and the responsibility that comes with it.
Being surrounded by an incredible, diverse community of Chevening Scholars who all share a commitment to making a meaningful impact fills me with both excitement and purpose. Together, I believe we can contribute to a better, more just world. This journey with Chevening is not just a milestone in my career but a calling to give back and drive transformation. I’m thrilled to start this new chapter at LSE and to see what we can achieve together!”_
Daniela’s words reflect the excitement, gratitude, and sense of purpose that Chevening Scholars carry with them as they embark on their journey. For those of you aspiring to follow a similar path, here’s a guide to help you structure your Chevening essays. These tips will help you articulate your unique story, showcase your leadership potential, and align your goals with Chevening’s mission of creating future leaders.
Guidance for Writing Winning Chevening Essays
Each of the four Chevening essays plays an important role in presenting a holistic view of you as a candidate. Here’s a breakdown of each essay topic and how to approach it, with Daniela’s journey serving as an inspirational example.
1. Leadership and Influence
Goal: Show that you are a leader who has made an impact and can inspire positive change in your community, workplace, or field.
How to Structure It:
- Opening: Start with a vivid example of a time when you demonstrated leadership. A powerful story, like Daniela’s experience with her legal aid initiative, grabs attention and brings your leadership qualities to life.
- Body: Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. Focus on what makes your leadership style unique, whether it’s empathy, resilience, or innovative thinking.
- Reflection: Highlight what you learned from this experience and how it has prepared you to be a leader who can make an impact through the Chevening community.
- Future Vision: Explain how Chevening will enable you to enhance these skills and create a lasting impact in your field.
Tips:
- Use measurable outcomes if possible (e.g., “Increased team participation by 30%” or “Recruited over 50 volunteers”).
- Show humility and self-awareness—recognize both successes and challenges you faced in the leadership role.
2. Networking
Goal: Demonstrate that you value connections, have built meaningful relationships, and are ready to contribute to Chevening’s global network.
How to Structure It:
- Opening: Begin with a story of a valuable networking experience that helped you achieve a goal, form a partnership, or create an opportunity.
- Body: Describe how you maintain relationships and the value you place on collaboration. Emphasize specific examples where networking had a positive impact.
- Chevening Network: Explain how you plan to actively contribute to and benefit from Chevening’s global network. Mention specific ways you’ll engage with fellow scholars and alumni.
- Long-Term Networking Goals: Show your commitment to remaining connected with Chevening alumni and using these relationships to drive positive change in your field or country.
Tips:
- Focus on quality over quantity. A few meaningful relationships with specific examples often carry more weight than a long list of connections.
- Emphasize your willingness to give back to the Chevening community, both as a scholar and as an alum.
3. Studying in the UK
Goal: Explain why studying in the UK is crucial to achieving your goals and what specific aspects of the UK’s education system or resources attract you.
How to Structure It:
- Why the UK?: Describe why the UK is the ideal place for your studies, mentioning the country’s academic strengths, global reputation, or unique resources in your field.
- Choice of Program and University: Be specific about what drew you to your chosen university and program. Highlight specific professors, research opportunities, or specialized courses that align with your goals.
- Broader Impact: Explain how this experience will prepare you to make a difference in your home country or globally. Daniela’s choice of LSE, for example, aligns with her passion for social justice and international law.
- Cultural and Personal Growth: Mention any personal reasons for wanting to study in the UK, such as exposure to diverse perspectives or opportunities for cultural enrichment.
Tips:
- Avoid general statements about the UK’s education system; instead, highlight unique aspects that align specifically with your academic and professional interests.
- Show that the UK is a purposeful choice, not just one of many options.
4. Career Plan
Goal: Outline your career aspirations and how Chevening will help you achieve them, focusing on how you will contribute to your country’s or region’s development.
How to Structure It:
- Immediate Goals: Describe your short-term career goals after completing your degree, focusing on roles or projects that will allow you to apply what you’ve learned.
- 5-10 Year Vision: Outline your longer-term vision and explain how you plan to leverage the skills and networks gained through Chevening to create an impact in your field.
- Contribution to Your Country: Emphasize how your goals will benefit your community or country. Chevening values candidates who are committed to making a positive difference.
- Chevening’s Role: Tie back to how Chevening uniquely positions you to fulfill these goals, through its resources, mentorship, and global community.
Tips:
- Make sure your goals are ambitious but realistic. Specificity is key—mention actual roles, projects, or initiatives you aim to work on.
- Reiterate your commitment to returning to your home country or region and contributing to its growth and development.
By following this structure, you’ll be able to convey your story in a compelling way, just as Daniela has done in her journey with Chevening. Remember, Chevening isn’t just about academic excellence; it’s about your potential to lead, inspire, and create lasting change in your field and community.
Final Thoughts
For those considering applying for the Chevening Scholarship, remember that each essay is an opportunity to tell your story, showcase your unique qualities, and share your vision. Don’t be afraid to dig deep and reflect on the experiences that have shaped you. Like Daniela, you too can stand out by conveying your authenticity, purpose, and commitment to a better world.