𝕻𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖊𝕮𝕻𝖀 🧡❤️📊@OxPromiseCPU
Here is my draft from a few sessions I’ve documented so far from numerous past awardees and even top accts on X here on graduate scholarships generally on MSc. & Ph.D. applications.
(PART 1)
A🧵
🔗 Treat your academic CV like a professional CV when applying to a top company. Be intentional! It should include: post-secondary education, applicable skills and competences, research interests, research experiences, teaching experiences, publications, work experiences, awards & honours, conferences attended, certificates, professional memberships, leadership and volunteering experiences, and references. Some European scholarships like Erasmus Mundus require the Europass format - don’t submit a regular academic CV there.
🔗 Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Avoid applying to just one country or scholarship. Spread your options; immigration or funding issues can affect outcomes. Consider Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, Commonwealth, MasterCard, GKS, PTDF overseas and so on, and university/faculty-based scholarships.
🔗 Get all necessary documents early. Some scholarships require an international passport. Secure your transcripts (unofficial ones may be used during application), but for transcript evaluation by WES, SpanTran, etc., official transcripts must be sent. Transcript evaluation determines how your academic records translate to another system (e.g., CGPA equivalence). Some scholarships also request degree certificates.
🔗 Secure recommenders early: Inform referees well ahead so they’re prepared. Aim for 4–5, as some may get fatigued or become unresponsive. Choose people who can strongly speak to your academic, leadership, and personal qualities. A lecturer with a Masters who knows you well is often better than professors who barely can.
Professional referees can still be included where relevant.
🔗 Your Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Personal Statement (PS) or Motivational Letter is your key selling point. Use it to pitch your story. Expand on what your CV couldn’t capture: your motivation for the program, research experience, academic background, alignment with the school & professors, current projects, beyond research or academics - where you should be able to talk about your leadership and volunteering experiences, projects and impacts; your life/career goals, and why you stand out. This is just a guide.
Please, always tailor it/them to the specific scholarship. They might require something different.
🔗 Regardless of your degree or class, you can always take short online academic/professional courses related to your interests. They show intentional academic growth and might be able serve as an alternative to publications. Check platforms like Coursera, Udemy, etc.
🔗 Cold emailing professors gives you an edge. Your email should include a proper salutation, brief introduction (including academic background), your research experience, what about the professor’s work interests you, how it aligns with your goals, and how you intend to contribute. Keep it concise, professors don't have that time.
🔗 Reach out to lab members, past or current awardees via LinkedIn, Google, X, etc on the scholarship you seek. They’ve gone through the process and are best positioned to guide you on what works.
🔗 Writing GRE and (TOEFL & IELTS - English Proficiency Tests) can give you an edge. Sometimes they’re waived, but if listed as optional or required, it’s best to take them on time. IELTS is widely recognized in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and across Europe while TOEFL is more dominant in the US.
Alternatives include getting proof of English proficiency from your university or requesting a proficiency waiver via email from the graduate school.
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These are insights gathered from different applicants’ experiences so far. We can use them as a guide
God help us in our applications and crown our efforts
Above all, always do your own research.
If you have any additional helpful insights, feel free to share them here as well🙏
