Scholarship application - Essay Example

APPLICATION FOR A SCHOLARSHIP Address, 22nd June, of Organization Address ………………….. I am writing to apply for a scholarship to study nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Presently, I am working as a travel nurse in a cardiac unit in Bakersfield, California. I believe that getting this scholarship will help me achieve my childhood dream of becoming a nurse. This profession also gives me a chance to serve others around the world. My academic background and extracurricular activities, including volunteer work have increased my desire to study nursing, and these experiences make me best suited for this course.

My upbringing played a major role in enhancing my desire to become a nurse. I was brought up in a small village in Kenya where I was inspired by my grandmother’s ability to offer herbal medicines to many villagers who could not afford or access medical services. Having moved to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, where I pursued a degree in mass communication, I witnessed how difficult it is for people to access basic services, including healthcare and sanitation. I also worked as a relief worker with Kenya Red Cross and Red Crescent at the Kakuma Refugee Camp where I learnt the basics of nursing and report writing.

These experiences while in Kenya made me realize the importance of having nurses in our societies, and this fueled my desire to become one. I hold an excellent academic record that makes me best suited for this scholarship. Currently, I hold a masters degree in Public Health from Michigan State University. I graduated with a GPA of 3.76 from the Michigan State University. While at this university, I actively participated in workshops on gender, women and sexuality. I also hold a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the York University in Toronto, Canada.

I not only graduated as a Deans Honor Roll member but also took extra classes in culture and gender. Among these extra classes were Ghanaian percussion, and intermediate, North Africa and Middle East Dance. Finally, have a degree in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Nairobi, Kenya. While studying in Kenya, I was involved in a number of projects, including environmental health projects, girl child education and women empowerment. My academic background has helped me interact with people from various backgrounds and enhanced my understanding of the various issues affecting humanity, including healthcare services.

I have also been involved in various volunteer activities that have further helped enhance my practical knowledge and experiences. I currently volunteer at the Suburu Elementary School in Bakersfield, California. In this position, I get the opportunity to be involved in meetings aimed at improving academic performance and individual skills. I have also volunteered for various organizations. In Kenya, I volunteered for the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) where I helped train women to become self-reliant.

I also worked with Kenyan television station in the production of a local program. In the United States, while studying at the Michigan State University, I volunteered for the American Red Cross- Mid-Michigan Chapter as a public health profession. I have also been privileged to participate in the Measles Initiative Campaign Program whose main aim was to assist children in Africa and South Asia. In addition to the above achievements, I have a strong desire to learn and share knowledge. If given this scholarship, I will use the opportunity to further increase my knowledge so as to make a difference in our society.

Being a single mother of three, I look forward to making my life and those of my children even better through education. In addition, after completing my studies, I intend to go back to Kenya, the place where this journey started. I intend to give back to the Kenyan people for they have helped me immensely. Thank you for taking time to go through my application and looking forward to hear from you soon. Sincerely,