Interested in USA 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 ???
Read this and share!!
Do you want to apply to Universities in the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 against Fall 2022.
I want you to give yourself enough time for adequate preparation and packaging (6-18 months)
I am referring to those that have not started or are in the process gathering information.
Pre-application:
This is the most important stage of your application, the outcome of your scholarship pursuit rests majorly on this phase.
What should I do?
Make a list of at least 50 Schools offering your desired program(s). Select the schools across board from low to high ranked Schools. (Google strategically)
Look out for Professors that you can work with and make a map.
Proceed to the requirements for each of the programs.
Make a list of these requirements, collect like terms ( These will help you identify principal requirements that you have to provide across board)
What are these basic requirements?
Transcripts
Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
Statement of Purpose/Research proposal
Recommendations(3)
Tests ( TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT and so on)
Leadership/Volunteering profile.
Application fees.
Publications.
Membership of Professional bodies.
Certifications.
N:B: Don’t be shy, you can email Graduate/Program Coordinators for Test and Application fee waivers.
Statement of Purpose should align with the Professor’s and Department’s goals.
Recommendations should be comprehensive and detailed. This is very important. I will advise that you initiate contact with your potential Referees now.
Don’t rush to sit for some of these TESTS especially GRE. Give yourself enough time to prepare and master each TEST. You don’t want to waste your money.
Mindset is key 🔑!!! The Goal is to get a Scholarship and until you do that , do not stop. It may take 5,
20, 100 or even more applications. The sacrifice will be worth it.
Application Process:
Once you have figured out the application requirements and deadlines, you’re set to hit the road. Here are some tips you should never forget.
Tailor each application to fit each program requirements, each application is unique.
Please submit your application and required documents at least a month before the deadline or earlier. ( Some applications are done on a rolling basis)
Apply to as many programs as possible.
Contact current graduate students in the lab or School you’re interested in. (seek leverage)
Apply across board (From low to high ranked Schools)
Package yourself and give your best.
Keep applying even after your first Offer.
Post Application:
Pray and wait!!!!
Check the decision periods and deadlines.
You can follow up with the Program Coordinator about the status of your application.
Believe and be hopeful.
Goodluck and May the odds be in your favor.
Share and RT.
Follow and check the pinned tweet of these handles 🎯
I strongly advise you not to lie in your application.
Alternatively, I’ll advise you to package your CV and make it stand out.
Leadership and volunteering roles are good selling points, let me show you some tricks:
1) Mr A wrote : I served as Financial Secretary of my Department between 2018-2019.
Mr B wrote: I managed, organized and coordinated financial records of over 1,000 students between 2018-2019.
2) Mr A wrote: My role as choirmaster exposed me to organizing and coordinating projects.
Mr B : As the Chief Musical Director of X, I led a team of 100 chorister to the National music festival. I learnt excellent interpersonal and communication skill while doing this.
In a forward thinking Country, one will expect the Senate and House of Representatives to summon the President and slam him with impeachment notice for failing to protect Nigerians.
Unfortunately, the Senate and House of Representatives are largely occupied by members of .....
the President’s political party. I kid you not, they’re just taking pay check and feeding the President’s ego. To them it is all about party loyalty rather than patriotism. The President is aware of how solid his cabals are and will not be bothered with the agony of the masses
The Judiciary on the other hand have not provided comfort to Nigerians. Matters demanding urgent sentences are dragged until amnesia sets in. It is a planned attempt to keep the country in perpetual misery.
I am tired of reading news of death, kidnapping and banditry......
There are many checklists that Scholarship bodies use to access the quality of your application, be sure to put up a really competitive package.
No one will give you money for a “normal application”. Tell a good story with your credentials, experiences and passion. Your CGPA, Curriculum Vitae, Personal statements, Recommendations, Test scores, Publication (if any), voluntary services rendered, achievements, memberships.
The take home point is – SELL YOURSELF.
Note: Scholarship bodies evaluate the total package not just a single part (make all parts count).
2) NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.
How many applications should you turn in? - 1, 5, 10 or 50.