Tip of the Month

Quality over quantity – telling one story really well will have more impact than telling three stories poorly. For most competitive awards, they are interested in your unique path to their award and how you would benefit from their funding rather than a list of your accomplishments (that’s what your resume is for). Instead of writing about the five or six things you’ve done and not really having the space to show how those experiences have shaped your trajectory, focus on two of the experiences and zoom in on the details. Stop and reflect. Was there a particular moment or interaction during your internship, research, or study abroad that solidified your interest in the field or showed things in a new light? How did that impact what came next? Well-illustrated and cohesive experiences will be more impactful than showcasing a high number of experiences.