Whether you are a student coming from Tennessee or New Mexico, have a high school GPA of a 4.0 or a 2.5, whether you’re financially stable or you’re president of six clubs, everyone feels the scholarship struggle. Sure, it’s easier for some to find scholarships they qualify to apply for but the number of students who are actually able to fund a substantial amount of their college bill with someone else’s chump change is pretty diminutive.
Now imagine this scholarship struggle on steroids. The scholarship pool available to you is dismal, they’re worth less on average and most of your peers can’t get the money either. This is a very real scenario for international students. Getting a scholarship as a domestic student is a big accomplishment is big news, receiving a scholarship as an international student is more than challenging, it’s near impossible.
Why should international students include scholarships on their resumes?
The simple answer is because they‘re the perfect way to show off. Not only did you beat the odds and were granted admission to a college or university in the states, you were qualified enough for someone to believe in your academic ability and pay for it themselves. That’s something to flaunt and it is most definitely worth writing down on a resume so future employers or institutions may note your achievements.
How do you include a scholarship on a resume so it’s appropriate and professional?
They should be listed under honors/awards/accomplishments (whatever it’s titled that usually contains a list of titles or awards you’ve been granted). A date should be clarified following the name of the award for the dates the award will be received (ex. (2012-2013)). Some scholarships are more well-known than others so use your best judgement and determine whether a description is necessary. These will be necessary for specific school scholarships and smaller awards given out by private institutions. This description is most appropriately written as one line under the name of the award and date in a smaller font than that of the rest of the type.
Ultimately, receiving a scholarship in any case is quite an accomplishment but receiving a scholarship as an international student to a school in the states is even more so. It’s important to take pride in what you’ve done and been awarded. Writing your accomplishments on paper that will be legitimized by the eyes of an institution will be even more rewarding. Make sure you write it formally and professionally and you will be good to go.
Photo Credit: Flazingo Photos
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