Scholarship interview preparation sheet
Prepare notes for each question below and practise saying the answers aloud, without learning them word for word. Panels tend to notice a memorised speech. It helps to practise with someone who will push back.
Questions to prepare
- Tell us about yourself. (Keep it to about two minutes.)
- Why this scholarship, and why now?
- Why this course and this country in particular?
- What will you do after the award?
- Tell us about a time you led or changed something.
- Tell us about a failure or setback, and what you learned.
- What will you contribute to your home country or field?
- A current issue in your field, and your view on it.
- Do you have any questions for us?
For each answer, have ready
- One specific story or example
- What you did yourself, and the result
- How the award connects to your goal
On the day
- Tested your tech and lighting in advance, if the interview is online
- Re-read your own application; they will ask about it
- Prepared two questions of your own to ask the panel
- Planned to pause and think before answering