How to write a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Preparing for a scholarship often implies dealing with significant challenges, particularly when it comes to gathering and preparing all required documents. Among them, your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the main document as it serves as the first impression for reviewers, helping them know whether you meet the basic eligibility and if your background aligns with the scholarship’s objective. A well-written CV can also capture the reviewer's attention, making you stand out from the rest of applicants. It also promotes them to read your motivation letter and ultimately increases your chances of selection. 

This guide provides step-by-step guide advice on constructing an effective scholarship CV, including practical suggestions and preparation. 

Step 1: Getting Started

• Reflect on Your Journey

Before typing the first word of your CV, engage in a complete self-review. Begin by listing your accomplishments like academic grades, awards, community work, internships, personal projects. Those extracurricular activities that set you apart from the rest. 

• Research the Scholarship

Learn about the scholarship provider’s mission, values and typical recipients or applicants that receive the scholarships. Reviewing profiles of past winners helps you identify the traits they are looking for. 

• Pick the Right Keywords

From your research, start compiling key terms like “leadership” or “innovation” or “social awareness”. Add these keywords into your CV to demonstrate you understand and reflect about the scholarship’s values. 

Step 2: Structure your CV Clearly

Organize your CV in easy-to-follow sections:

1. Contact Information

2. Education 

3. Professional/Volunteer experience

4. Languages 

5. Skills (Technical and Personal)

6. Awards, certifications, and publications

7. Extracurricular and volunteer involvement

Contact information

• At the top, write your full name, email, phone number, and location (city/country). Your name serves as the title; usually, students skip adding “CV” or “Resume”.

Education

• List degrees in a reverse chronological order. Include institution, name, field of study, graduation date, and honors if applicable. If your GPA is strong or high, include that too.

Professional/Volunteer Experience

Include internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer roles. Focus on accomplishments using action verbs and numbers, for example: 

• Led a team of 10 volunteers to host a fundraiser raising $5,000.

Languages

• State your proficiency in simple terms like beginner, intermediate, advanced, or native. 

Awards and Certifications

• Highlight academic honors, prior scholarships, competitions, conferences, or certificates. Include a brief description and date. 

Extracurricular and volunteer

• Identify and present your involvement in school clubs, sports or social projects and include a measurable impact if possible. 

Step 3: Draft with Strong Writing Principles

• Customize each CV- Tailor the content to match the scholarship’s goals and criteria. If community service is valued, prioritize volunteer roles.

   

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with verbs such as organized, implemented, led or developed, which show academic tone and professionalism. 

• Quantify Impact: When possible, include numbers to show your achievements' effectiveness, like participation rates, funds raised, or team sizes. 

• Keep it clean and Readable: Use professional fonts (11-12 pt), black text, consistent formatting, and bullet lists. Avoid flashy designs unless the scholarship is art-based.
  

• Follow a Chronological order: Start with the most recent accomplishments first. 
  

• Tense Use: Use the past tense for completed terms, and the present tense for roles you still hold. 
  

• One to two Pages: Keep it concise, scholarship committees often glance quickly or review it very quickly.
  

• Proofread thoroughly: Typos and grammar errors take away professionalism and quality. Ask a mentor or teacher to review your CV before submitting. 
  

Step 4: Learn from Winning Examples

Look at real scholarship-winning CVs. Observe and reflect on how they: 

• Use keywords that match the scholarship's description. 

• Highlight measurable achievements and leadership roles. 

• They are well-structured and polished. Then, adapt these features into your motivation letters and application materials.