Immediately after you gain admission to a university abroad, the next step is to figure out where the finance is coming from. Sarah Jacob tells you how a scholarship can come in handy - and how to land one.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have secured a seat in an acclaimed institute abroad. Then you graduate to the funding bit of the application and that's when it strikes you: Everything has a price tag. When your purse strings tie you down, the path ahead seems difficult to trudge on. Scholarships then form a bridge to traverse this divide.

Today, most universities and organizations worldwide offer scholarships with the aim of nurturing decision-makers whose vision and competence would bring significant changes to the development of their own community. However, for the number of applications sent in, only a handful of them actually bag scholarships. It is therefore worth analyzing what it takes to be a scholar. Why is it that some candidates are one-up over a hundred others? What are the skills you need to clinch a gift scholarship or a loan?

CONSISTENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Exceptional academic achievement is beyond doubt the foremost basis for judging a candidate's capability. The Rhodes scholarship that sponsors candidates to study in Oxford regards a proven intellectual and academic achievement of high standard as the first quality to project the potential of a true leader. "My consistent academic track record and eagerness to study abroad was the primary reason for my receiving a handsome Dean's scholarship", says Karan Sihota, a student at the Texas Christian University in the US. According to him, most universities abroad wish to promote diversity on campus and welcome overseas students. Though academic proficiency and excellence is sought after, many colleges and institutes require a minimum of 65 per cent (first class) and are not completely merit-based.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Selection committees are on the hunt for an individual who has it in him/ her to be a role model. Candidates with a history of leadership accomplishments like class representatives, contingent leaders, chairpersons of festivals, members of student councils, team leaders and project heads appeal to any committee. Having held such posts signifies to the panel that he/ she has been elected to take the reins before, has been worthy of fulfilling responsibility, and guiding people towards a goal.

Participation in student youth movements and organizations goes a long way in giving students the much needed exposure, confidence and maturity as it teaches one to deal with real life situations. Organizations such as AISEC and Youth Parliaments actually put theory into practice. These activities build on interpersonal skills, commitment and motivation.

COMMUNITY WORK AND SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT

Committing to organizations like the Interact Club at the school level, Rotaract Club, volunteer work with NGOs and attending rural camps project social responsibility. Nainaz Shroff, a Rotaract secretary from Ahmednagar who organized a walkathon in support of AIDS awareness, is a recipient of financial aid from the Lotus Foundation, among others. She says, "I am a perfect example of someone who did not do exceptionally well in academics, yet managed to earn scholarships because of my social work and extracurricular activities."

INTERESTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Being involved in activities such as debating or representing college in sports at the state or national level also stands one in good stead. The selection committees are on the lookout for candidates with overall development. Physical vigor can also be demonstrated through theatre and dance. Hena Mehta, a student of engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, was offered scholarships at Drexel University, Brandeis University and Mt Holyoke. Hena and her friends' common passion for dance prompted them to start a dance troupe called Elixir which raised funds through its shows for an orphanage in Bangalore. As she puts it, "We did what we did best for a good cause and it coincided with the fact that universities abroad appreciate such social activities."

Internships and work experience are personally beneficial to the candidate as it gives one an idea of what the chosen field has to offer. According to Manjula Rao, head of education, governance and science at the British Council, "It gives strength to a candidate's resume and adds value by conveying maturity. This experience may be important - more so for candidates applying for an MBA." To the selection committee, on the other hand, it portrays that the candidate has the enthusiasm to venture out of the classroom and is built with the drive to nurture his/ her interests.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

It is universally accepted that the SOP can be a defining factor for a candidates' admission to a university and a scholarship. It is essential that the personal essay or SOP should be concise but yet capable of defining his/ her aspirations and vision for the future. "Stress should be laid on justifying the chosen field of specialization, the advantages of pursuing that program, and how it will help the candidate contribute to the betterment of society, "says George Cherian, associate vice president, group public affairs of HSBC, that awards scholarships to two outstanding students each year. "It is also imperative to have references and recommendations from people who have a good standing in society and can comment authoritatively on the candidate's achievements. However, even if it is not by a known personality, the application is still acceptable," he states.

The Inlaks Scholarship founded by Indoo Shivdasani and that has been sponsoring students since 1976 emphasizes the importance of persuading the jury that the program of study is right for you and you are right for the program. Their judgment is based on singling out the candidate who has the flair to construct their own vision and make it a reality. Scholarship criteria are really dependent on, not what you have done, but on your potential to achieve something in the future.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A candidate who is worldly aware, can hold his/ her own opinion on matters, debate issues and has the ability to express his/ her vision and goals with confidence, is exactly what the jury demands. "It is also largely based on your ability to convince the jury that investing in you will benefit the institute," says Maharukh Shroff, an education consultant for studies abroad. It is therefore about communicating to them that you not only want to win but also refuse to fail.

The institutions that award these scholarships spend valuable money on a selected few. It is only logical therefore that they will choose the candidate who has not only showed potential in his/ her activities before but shows promise for the future. Like they say, there is no real formula for success. Yet, most selection panels are in a laborious search for that spark in a candidate whose personality conveys a presence of intellect, enthusiasm, talent and the ability to lead.