NC because outing but am a regular poster. Sorry it's a massive essay.
So I recently graduated with a 2:1. I'm 24. Had quite a few barriers which I've had to overcome to achieve this. Was always quite bright (enrolled in G&T from 5yo) but went to the third worst secondary school in the country, fell in with a bad crowd, got into drugs, was homeless at 15.
Was chosen to go to Africa to volunteer for a few months at 18 and whilst I was there I decided that I was wasting my life away (the kids I met would have given their right arm for the opportunities I was wasting) so came back and did an ACCESS course, got the equivalent of 3 A* at A level (60/60 distinctions). Went away to uni but my mental health was pretty shit; had a breakdown and came home at Christmas. Applied to a university in my hometown.
Got into an abusive relationship. Got pregnant at 20 (contraceptive failure). Deferred my place for a year. Homeless again when I tried to leave. Horrible homeless hostel where I'd get my door broken down, I'd get attacked and robbed regularly whilst heavily pregnant. Shared bathroom with the attackers. Couldn't have my baby living there, so went back to the abuser.
Started uni when my DD was 5mo. Abusive relationship significantly worsened. Violence started; it became extreme, was under MARAC and got a restraining order, was encouraged to move into a refuge - DDs dad went to prison, so this wasn't necessary in the end.
All this left with me with such extreme anxiety that I found it difficult to leave the house alone. Uni was a 4 hour round trip. On my days off, I'd drop my DD off to nursery and go home to bed and cry. Sometimes I could barely walk with the physical symptoms of anxiety. I didn't sleep; the fire brigade boarded up my letterbox and told me I should never open my windows.
Nobody knew me at uni; there was no pressure to go, so I only went a handful of times in my last two years. Gutting really as in my first year I got 78% - and received a scholarship due to receiving one of the top 50 grades in the entire uni - even with a young baby. I did manage to keep a job throughout.
I also really struggled with putting work off - I'd put assignments off until the last day; sometimes the last few hours. I would sit there and massively hate myself for not getting on with it, but I couldn't bring myself to for some reason. 1 month before graduation, I got diagnosed with ADHD.
Still - I graduated with a 2:1! I'm really proud of this. I've recently got a job as an assistant business consultant, which I adore. My boss has ADHD too and he sees himself as my mentor. He's helping to fund my postgrad. I want to do Strategic Innovation Management. The course sounds ridiculously interesting. I love business, and I'm so excited to go back to study now my mental health is good and my learning disability is medicated. I can't wait to see what I achieve!
I can maybe just about manage without a scholarship (with a postgrad loan and my boss' help for tuition fees) , but I'll have to drop my hours and money will be massively tight. There are four scholarships of 10k for my course that I want to apply for. They all say I need to demonstrate 'significant work experience or extra curricular activities related to your chosen masters'. Which I don't have - my previous jobs have been mental health HCA type roles. This is the first business-y job I've ever had.
But I do have a shitton of life experience - much of which I literally only survived because I was strategic and innovative. I could definitely discuss freeing myself from the abusive relationship, raising my daughter whilst juggling assignments/ work and overcoming the barriers caused by ADHD in terms of strategy and innovation. But is this a bit X Factor sob story? 
I'm not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me, certainly not. I'm doing great! 
a scholarship would be life changing though. And I can't help feeling that I've shown just as much strategy and innovation in my life as a kid with great extra curriculars 🤷🏽♀️
Would really appreciate any thoughts.