So, I didn't receive the scholarship I was hoping for, and I'm thinking about writing an appeal letter. Any tips on making it compelling? What should I include to improve my chances of getting reconsidered?
When writing a scholarship appeal letter, focus on delivering a respectful and compelling case for why you believe the decision should be reconsidered. Here are some tips to guide you:
1. Stay Professional: Your tone should be formal and respectful. Personalize the letter (if you know the person or committee you are appealing to, address them accordingly) and get straight to the point.
2. Introduce Yourself and Clarify the Purpose of the Letter: After your salutation, briefly introduce yourself. Be specific about the name of the scholarship for which you're appealing the decision, and state that the purpose of the letter is to request the reconsideration of your application.
3. Express Gratitude: Though you didn't receive the scholarship, express that you're grateful for the opportunity to have applied. This shows maturity and respect.
4. Present Compelling Reasons: Introduce new or accentuate existing reasons why you believe you're a deserving candidate. Maybe there's an accomplishment or personal circumstance you did not emphasize in your original application. This might include recent grades, leadership activities, or community involvement. If you have overcome certain hardships that have checked your academic or personal progress, you might want to highlight these.
5. Provide Evidence: Don't just state; show. Backup your claims with concrete examples. If you've recently improved academically, attach relevant academic reports showing the improvement.
6. Write a Conclusion: Reiterate your request for reconsideration in a final paragraph. Express your gratitude once more.
7. Proofread: Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity. The appeal letter also serves as another sample of your writing skills, so it should be impeccable.
Remember to maintain a hopeful, but not demanding or entitled, tone throughout. Good luck!
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