With everyone wanting to buzz off from home to study elsewhere, it becomes very hard to be among the lucky ones who get to study abroad in America.

Not even the best of the best who study hard and score high marks in the entrance test a guaranteed a place in a sponsored scholarship.

So what is it that separates the best of the best in the test from the ones who actually make it?

Dr Ruwan S. Hulugalle, Managing Director of Ruwan Hulugalle & Company (RHC) in Phnom Penh, knows how Cambodian students can raise their chance to a scholarship in the USA immensely: “You needed to be a unique personality that adds to the community of the university you would like to attend.”

Apart from being special, “Students obviously also need to have excellent grades, good English language skills and produce a few interesting extracurricular activities,” Hulugalle says.

Surely you should also know what exactly you are applying for.

Hulugalle explains: “Different institutions have different scholarship programmes so it is important to check what they offer exactly and how you have to apply for it.”

And don’t miss your deadlines!

“Do your research and prepare what you have to do as far ahead as possible,” Hulugalle stresses.

The key however is the motivational letter most universities will require you to write: “Students must communicate a dream, and have an idea about where they like to see themselves in the future using the skills and education they acquired thanks to the scholarship they are applying for.”