Immediately after you gain admission to a university abroad, the next step is to figure out where the finance is coming from. Sarah Jacob tells you how a scholarship can come in handy - and how to land one.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have secured a seat in an acclaimed institute abroad. Then you graduate to the funding bit of the application and that's when it strikes you: Everything has a price tag. When your purse strings tie you down, the path ahead seems difficult to trudge on. Scholarships then form a bridge to traverse this divide.

Today, most universities and organizations worldwide offer scholarships with the aim of nurturing decision-makers whose vision and competence would bring significant changes to the development of their own community. However, for the number of applications sent in, only a handful of them actually bag scholarships. It is therefore worth analyzing what it takes to be a scholar. Why is it that some candidates are one-up over a hundred others? What are the skills you need to clinch a gift scholarship or a loan?

CONSISTENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Exceptional academic achievement is beyond doubt the foremost basis for judging a candidate's capability. The Rhodes scholarship that sponsors candidates to study in Oxford regards a proven intellectual and academic achievement of high standard as the first quality to project the potential of a true leader. "My consistent academic track record and eagerness to study abroad was the primary reason for my receiving a handsome Dean's scholarship", says Karan Sihota, a student at the Texas Christian University in the US. According to him, most universities abroad wish to promote diversity on campus and welcome overseas students. Though academic proficiency and excellence is sought after, many colleges and institutes require a minimum of 65 per cent (first class) and are not completely merit-based.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Selection committees are on the hunt for an individual who has it in him/ her to be a role model. Candidates with a history of leadership accomplishments like class representatives, contingent leaders, chairpersons of festivals, members of student councils, team leaders and project heads appeal to any committee. Having held such posts signifies to the panel that he/ she has been elected to take the reins before, has been worthy of fulfilling responsibility, and guiding people towards a goal.

Participation in student youth movements and organizations goes a long way in giving students the much needed exposure, confidence and maturity as it teaches one to deal with real life situations. Organizations such as AISEC and Youth Parliaments actually put theory into practice. These activities build on interpersonal skills, commitment and motivation.

COMMUNITY WORK AND SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT

Committing to organizations like the Interact Club at the school level, Rotaract Club, volunteer work with NGOs and attending rural camps project social r...