How to write an effective GKS essay.

One of the things that annoys me when reviewing essays from my GKS coaching students is when they write about their experiences, especially those related to their intended major. Here's an example:

"When I was in university, I founded a climate organization funded by the university. It was my first leadership experience in college."

In hindsight, there seems to be nothing wrong with this. After all, it's straightforward. However, what's troubling is the lack of details. When you read that sentence, you only see a resume-like exposition of an experience. While this may sound good on a resume, it doesn't work well in a scholarship essay. In a scholarship essay, you need to bring your readers into the experience. They need to see what you saw and feel what you felt.

So, how do you achieve this? You use the age-old format called STARL:

S - Situation
T - Task
A - Action
R - Result
L - Lesson

Here's how we can rewrite that example:

Situation - When I was in university, I discovered that there were no climate action organizations led by students.

Task - So, I decided to create my own by seeking students with the same passion for climate action.

Action - To accomplish this, I created posters illustrating the effects of climate change and posted them on every campus building. I vividly recall sweating in the height of summer, determined to display those posters on every campus building.

Result - After three months, 13 students applied to my organization. Following extensive research on how to register it officially, Yonsei Student Climate Action Network (YSCAN) was recognized as an official organization by Yonsei University. Now, it is funded by two institutions and led by fellow students.

Lesson - Through this experience, I learned to be independent in thinking and creating solutions for problems that not many are ready to discuss. I believe this skill will be valuable in my years of study in South Korea. Additionally, YSCAN has become my legacy to Yonsei University and to future student leaders. Leading people toward a common goal and helping them become leaders themselves is, I believe, the essence of true leadership.

That’s how you explain an experience. That’s how you make readers sympathize with you and see through your mind. This is what effective writing looks like.

If you need your essay reviewed and improved to perfection, join our GKS coaching program here: Scholars Academie

In the program, you will get access to the pervious winners’ essays. We have over 60 Personal Statements and Statement of Purpose/Study Plans in our database. You will also get a paragraph-per-paragraph template that made 80% of scholarship awardees win the scholarship.

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