Thread by @oguntuyakitimi

High Vs Low CGPA in Scholarship and Admission Applications

2.5 x 3 is NOT equal to 2 x 3.5. The fact that someone landed a full scholarship with a low CGPA but with a great SOP does not mean that you, who achieved a high CGPA will land a scholarship with a poor SOP.

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As a matter of fact, you have to look beyond your CGPA, (wether low or extremely high), to prepare a competitive, award-winning application. Below is a list of the criteria used to evaluate scholarship/admission applications.

1. CGPA: The evaluation weight given to CGPA

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varies with scholarships. Some scholarships state what they want, some do not. My advice: if you had a good one, cool. If not, you may pursue a higher degree (locally) to make up for the first low CGPA, e.g. Postgraduate Diploma or Masters. For some scholarships (Chevening),

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your work experience and/or impacts could help mask low CGPA. 1 thing is certain, majority of scholarships want students with a good CGPA. So if you still have the chance, endeavour to make a good one. Do so intentionally.

2. Personal Statement/SOP: This is undoubtedly the

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most critical aspect of your application. I have seen many scholarship hopefuls request for scholars’ SOPs with the hope of copying or using their style 100%. With this, your SOP will lack originality, creativity and uniqueness. Your SOP is an opportunity for you to

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TELL YOUR STORY. Imagine a first-class applicant using a 2:2 scholar’s SOP to write his own or vice versa. If a scholar applied to a research masters program, how can you use his SOP writing style to apply for a course-based masters? Even if you found a scholar with almost

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the same situation as you. You should TELL your own story in YOUR own way. How you’d write your SOP depends on what you’re applying for and the requirements. First thing first, be ORIGINAL. You can then forward your essays to scholars for reviews. There are a lot of graduate

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admission and scholarship writing resources to guide you. If you need one, DM.

3. Reference Letters: A reference letter is as important as the whole application. You should select your referees with care. How much does he/she know me? For how long? Does he/she have any good

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thing to say about me? Have I impressed him/her? Am I a worthy student, employee, intern, etc? Can this person confidently show me what he/she has written about me? Do I trust him/her? Ask yourself.

P.S: Get good CGPA, if you still have the chance. It’s your 1st IDENTITY.

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