Scholarship interview preparation sheet
Prepare notes for each question below, out loud, not word for word. Panels reward genuine, specific answers and can spot a memorised speech. Practise with someone who will push back.
Questions to prepare
- Tell us about yourself. (Keep it to a focused two minutes.)
- Why this scholarship, and why now?
- Why this course and this country specifically?
- What will you do after the award? Be concrete.
- 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, not a general claim
- What you actually did, and the result
- A link back to why the award and your goal fit
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 genuine questions to ask the panel
- Planned to pause and think rather than rush an answer
Put it to use
Browse scholarships open for application now, or read the advice guides for the detail behind each step.