Write to Win: Crafting Winning Application Essays

Transcript

1. WRITE TO WIN: -Olamide Lawal CRAFTING WINNING APPLICATION ESSAY
2. HI. I am Olamide Lawal Electronic and Electrical Engineering Student at OAU SCA OAU Chapter Lead Women Techstars 2025 Fellow (1530 out of 16000 applications) Data Scientist & Technical Writer I used to think I hate writing but here I am
3. 01 What application essays really are 02 Writing frameworks that work 03 Essay samples Table of Contents ‹#›
4. 04 Common mistakes 05 Hands-on Session 06 Q &A Table of Contents ‹#›
5. ‹#› APPLICATION ESSAY 101 01 What application essays really are
6. What an Application Essay Is NOT Your life story A CV written in paragraphs A place to show big grammar A pity story ‹#›
7. What an Application Essay IS A sales pitch of your value A structured story with evidence Proof of alignment with the opportunity A chance to show potential, not perfection ‹#›
8. ‹#› FRAMEWORKS 02 Writing frameworks that work
9. Why Frameworks Matter Great essays are not random. Frameworks help you: Stay focused Avoid rambling Show impact clearly Write with confidence Frameworks don’t limit creativity — they sharpen it. ‹#›
10. Best for ‹#› Leadership essays Experience-based questions Situation – Context Task – Responsibility Action – What you did Result – Outcome + impact STAR Framework
11. Best for ‹#› :Short answers 150–300 word essays A simpler alternative: Situation Action Outcome SAO Framework
12. Past – Present – Future ‹#› Perfect for: Personal statements “Why you?” questions Past: What shaped you Present: What you’re doing now Future: Where this opportunity fits Hook: Grab attention Line: The story Sinker: Lesson + alignment First lines matter. PERSONAL STATEMENT FRAMEWORKS Hook, Line & Sinker
13. ‹#› Challenge: What was difficult Growth: What you learned Impact: How it shapes your future PERSONAL STATEMENT FRAMEWORKS Challenge – Growth – Impact
14. Great For ‹#› Tech Research Innovation essays Problem: What needed fixing? Action: What did you do? Impact: What changed? PAI Framework
15. ‹#› PERSUASION & CLARITY Framework Show, Don’t Tell ❌ Telling: “I am hardworking.” ✅ Showing: “I balanced academics with leading a student team, often working late nights to meet deadlines.” REMEMBER Evidence > adjectives.
16. ‹#› PERSUASION & CLARITY Framework Claim – Evidence – Insight Claim: What you want them to believe Evidence: Your experience Insight: What it reveals about you
17. ‹#› PERSUASION & CLARITY Framework WHY – HOW – WHY Great for motivation questions: Why this field? How have you prepared? Why this opportunity now?
18. ‹#› ESSAY SAMPLES 02
19. What’s missing? ‹#› Essay Sample- Before Too generic No evidence No story “I am passionate about technology and leadership. I have participated in many programs and believe this opportunity will help me grow.”
20. Frameworks Used ‹#› Essay Sample- After STAR / CAR Show, don’t tell Numbers for credibility “As a 300-level engineering student, I planned and executed four events without brand sponsorship. Despite limited resources, I mobilized volunteers and partnerships to deliver programs that reached over 200 students. This experience strengthened my leadership and problem-solving skills, aligning with this program’s focus on community impact.”
21. ‹#› EDITING & FINAL CHECKS Tone & Clarity Your essay should be: Simple, Clear and Human. If they need to reread it, you’ve lost them. The “So What?” Test After every paragraph, ask: “So what? Why should they care?” The 3C Check Before submitting, check if your essay is Clear, Concrete and Compelling Voice Test Read your essay out loud and Ask: Does this sound like me? Would I say this naturally?
22. ‹#› COMMON MISTAKES 04 Be on the look out
23. Being generic Not answering the question Big grammar, little meaning No proofreading Common Mistakes ‹#›
24. ‹#› HANDS ON SESSION 05 Lets review some application prompts/essays
25. ‹#› Q & A 06 Let’s talk about your essays, challenges, and next steps.
26. ‹#› Good essays are written. Great essays are structured. Winning essays are intentional. Don’t just apply. Apply to win.
27. CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik Thank YOU Olamide Lawal em07_adoz lawalolamide676@gmail.com ‹#› You can find me on Slides are available at: https://speakerdeck.com/em07adoz/write-to-win-crafting-winning-application-essays