Summary
- Learn what Chevening assessors actually expect in the Leadership and Networking essays.
- Discover why storytelling beats listing achievements.
- Understand the STAR method and how to use it effectively.
- Learn how to choose the right examples from your experience.
- Avoid the mistakes that repeatedly lead to rejection.
- See how successful applicants connect leadership, networking, and future impact.
- This is Part 2 of the AK Travels LTD Chevening Masterclass Series.
Introduction
By the time applications close each year, Chevening receives thousands of applications from highly qualified professionals across the world.
Many applicants have excellent academic records.
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Many have leadership titles.
Yet only a small percentage reach the interview stage.
Why?
Because Chevening is not evaluating your résumé.
It is evaluating your evidence.
According to the official Chevening application criteria, assessors are looking for applicants who can demonstrate leadership and influencing skills, as well as the ability to build professional relationships that achieve meaningful outcomes. Simply saying you are a leader or that you have good networking skills is not enough—you must prove it with clear examples and measurable results.
The Biggest Mistake Most Applicants Make
Most applicants spend half of their essay talking about themselves.
Winning applicants spend most of their essay talking about the problem they solved and the impact they created.
Notice the difference.
Rejected applicant:
“I was the President of my students’ association.”
Successful applicant:
“When I became President, only 35% of members attended meetings. I introduced a digital communication system, reorganised departmental representatives, and launched monthly engagement forums. Within eight months, attendance increased to 81%, and membership dues increased by 46%.”
Chevening assesses evidence, not titles. The official guidance specifically encourages applicants to focus on examples with clear results rather than making broad claims.
The STAR Method Is Still the Best Structure
One strategy consistently recommended by successful Chevening scholars and reflected in official interview guidance is the STAR approach:
- Situation – What challenge existed?
- Task – What responsibility did you have?
- Action – What exactly did you do?
- Result – What changed because of your actions?
Notice something important.
The Action and Result sections should take up most of your essay.
Many unsuccessful applicants spend 200 words describing the situation and only one sentence explaining what they actually did.
That weakens the application.
Successful scholars repeatedly advise applicants to keep the background brief and focus on the decisions they made, the actions they took, and the measurable outcomes they achieved.
How to Write the Leadership Essay
The Leadership essay answers one simple question:
Can Chevening trust you to influence people and create positive change?
The strongest essays usually contain one or two detailed stories rather than several brief examples.
For each story, explain:
- What challenge existed?
- Why did it matter?
- What specific actions did you personally take?
- What obstacles did you overcome?
- What measurable result did your leadership produce?
- What did you learn from the experience?
Chevening advises applicants to avoid generic definitions of leadership. Instead, focus on your own experiences and make your personal contribution clear.
How to Write the Networking Essay
The Networking essay is one of the most misunderstood parts of the application.
Networking is not about attending conferences.
It is not about collecting LinkedIn connections.
Chevening wants evidence that you can build and sustain professional relationships that lead to meaningful outcomes.
Strong networking examples include:
- Bringing different organisations together to solve a problem.
- Creating partnerships.
- Working with government, NGOs, universities, or private organisations.
- Maintaining long-term professional relationships.
- Connecting people who later achieved success together.
The official application criteria emphasise relationship-building that produces real, measurable outcomes, not simply meeting people.
Numbers Make Your Essay Stronger
Successful applicants rarely write vague statements.
Instead of writing:
- “I mentored young people.”
Write:
- “Over 18 months, I mentored 42 undergraduate students. Thirty-six completed the programme, and 14 later secured internships with local organisations.”
Instead of writing:
- “I organised a conference.”
Write:
- “I coordinated a conference involving 210 participants from 12 institutions and secured partnerships with three organisations that funded the event.”
Numbers immediately increase credibility.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
From official guidance and recurring advice shared by Chevening scholars, these mistakes appear repeatedly:
- Listing achievements without explaining your personal contribution.
- Writing about your organisation instead of your own actions.
- Using leadership titles as evidence.
- Giving examples without measurable outcomes.
- Repeating the same story in both essays.
- Writing in general terms instead of telling a specific story.
- Spending too many words explaining the problem and too few describing your solution.
One Final Strategy
Before submitting your essays, ask yourself these three questions:
Can someone clearly identify what I personally did?
Can they measure my impact?
Does this story prove I already behave like the type of leader Chevening wants to invest in?
If the answer to all three questions is “yes,” your essays are moving in the right direction.
Remember, Chevening is investing in people who have already demonstrated leadership and relationship-building—not those who merely promise they will become leaders in the future.
In Part 3, AK Travels LTD will break down How to Write the “Study in the UK” Essay, including how to choose your three universities, connect your course choices to your career goals, and avoid one of the biggest mistakes applicants make.
Website: http://www.aktravelsltd.com
📘 Get the Scholarship Blueprint
Want to increase your chances of winning fully funded scholarships abroad? Learn the exact strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and proven application techniques used by successful applicants.
Get Your Copy →
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