How to prepare for two essays: Study Objectives & Personal Statement in Fulbright Scholarship Application process

1. STUDY
OBJECTIVES
& PERSONAL
STATEMENT
By Hoang Ho | Fulbrighter-to-be 2023

2. DISCLAIMER!
These are my personal tips and tricks,
not Fulbright Program’s checkboxes to tick.

3. WHO AM I
PRIOR TO
FULBRIGHT
2023?

4. 3 years ago,
I applied Fulbright…

5. But…

6. SO, WHAT
HOÀNG OF
2023 WOULD
TELL HOÀNG
OF 2020?

7. Your study objectives
should be compelling
Learning #1

8. “Study
objectives”
is the 1st
criterion

9. Differentiation between
STUDY OBJECTIVES vs PERSONAL STATEMENT
What do you want to study?
Why do you want to study?
How would it help make an impact?
Why the U.S.?
Why Fulbright?
What do you want to do after you return?
Why should Fulbright choose you?
Who are you?
What makes you unique?
Which values do you treasure?
What did you do in the past makes you of today?
How was your depth & breadth of working experience?
How was your leadership potential?
How do your past and present link with your future goals?

10. Make a linkage between
“ME” & “WE”
What’re your personal goals & development? How you can make an impact on Vietnam?

11. You should have
one single-minded story
Learning #2

12. What is the story of YOU?
One single-minded proposition about you
Which should be
Different
Memorable
& Truthful
that can be backed with evidences.

13. SO,
HOW I TELL
MY 2023’s
STORY

14. Do self-reflection
STEP #1

15. List down
Tips #1
THE PAST
Childhood dreams, important
events when you were in
schools/ universities, awards &
recognitions, working
experiences, your mentors/ role
models, etc.
THE PRESENT
Your job, your side projects,
your values, etc.
THE FUTURE
What is your future goals, what
do want to study,
which skills you want to
improve, etc.

16. GROUPING
Group experiences, events,
values & goals
that share the same themes or
patterns
ME & WE
Think about the social issues
that your experiences
and expertise can help to
solve.
PAST – NOW – FUTURE
Think about evidences of past
experiences that
can backed your study
objectives.
Connect the dots
Tips #2

17. Choose one single-minded story which is
DIFFERENT
MEMORABLE
& TRUTHFUL
that can be backed with evidences.
Define my story
STEP #2

18. Define my story
STEP #2
Example:

19. Write
Delete
And repeat…
STEP #3

20. 3.1. Study Objectives
How to define?
APPROACH #1
Which problem of your field
is also the social issues in Vietnam?
APPROACH #2
Which is the social issue in Vietnam
that your field of study can address?
Vietnamese youngsters don’t read books much
Vietnamese artists lack of art hub to meet & greet
How to make education accessible to all?
How to make online banking accessible to all?
…
Health communication with a creative approach
How to build brands for agriculture products
How to educate children via visual art or films
Building advocacy programs for LGBTQ+ Community
…

21. 3.2. Personal statement
Thought starters
#1
FAILURE
How did you fall and stand up
#2
CHALLENGE
How did you overcome a
challenge & the result
#3
CHANGE
The moment of change/
the turning point of your life
#4
ROLE MODEL
Who is your inspirer?
Which success story you
aspire to?
#5
BACK TO
YOUR ROOT
Story of your family &
your hometown

22. Tips #1
Use metaphor
Find an analogy or a visual device that can carry your story.
Example:

23. Tips #2
Understand your readers
Use simple language as the judges might not have
the expertise knowledge of your field.

24. Have a strategy
STEP #4
You cannot put everything in 2 essays.
Have a strategy for a holistic application:
through essays, LORs & CV

25. Break the rules
STEP #5
Stand out or out
Infuse your personal touch
Think about twists and tricks to make your application unique
But, bear in mind the thin line between “oh yeah” and “ố dề”.

26. #1
DO SELF-REFLECTION
#2
DEFINE MY STORY
#3
WRITE, DELETE & REPEAT
#4
HAVE A STRATEGY
#5
BREAK THE RULES
STEP BY STEP
Summary

27. THANK YOU