Great Lesson From Habeeb

Habibi:
Thank you all for having me here today, and special thanks to the Group Admin Team of Career Drive Academy.

As said by the Admin, I'll talk about the boundless opportunities for a world-class education... relating it to my area of expertise. The focus of the session shall be on how to handle university admission and scholarship application for graduate studies abroad. Towards the end, I will also talk briefly on undergraduate opportunities for our younger ones.

In the course of my discussion, I'll be touching issues relating to the preparation stage, during the application period and after the application.

As much as possible, I'll try to stick to the scope; nonetheless, I might need to rove around when necessary.

Also, you may come in with your questions during the session; or wait till the Q&A part. It's up to you.

This may be a many information in 1 hour...I promise you it won't be boring.
Habibi:
As a Nigerian graduate, there are lot of opportunities to study abroad on scholarship. There is the common belief that only first-class graduates and maybe 'strong' 2-1" graduates get the chance to study on scholarships, it may be true, for some scholarship schemes, NOT ALL.

From my experience I have seen third class graduates study in a top university in Europe. This has to to do with a lot of passion and strict adherence to a course. If you can think it you can achieve it.

As we all know, the quality of education in our country is not anywhere near the top in the world. Although we are very smart people as Nigerians but the system does not allow is to fully  harness our potential.

Getting a degree abroad could be the most precious gift one could give himself and a step towards that fulfilling career life you've ever dreamt of.
Habibi:
Now, I would like to share how to prepare a "scholarship/award winning" university application.

Of course, these are suggestions and I believe following these will make your work a lot easier.
Habibi:
PREPARING

PLANNING AHEAD FOR APPLICATIONS

A very good way to start preparing is to use an Excel worksheet or create folders.

Consider creating an excel file as a checklist for your targets. I suggest that you use this checklist to examine all applications and to keep tab on your progress. Even if the results are rejections, keep the data for reference purposes.

I propose that you include these items as headings (you may increase the list as you see befitting).

a. University/universities
b. Scholarship program
c. Discipline
d. Scholarship benefits
e. Application method
f. Does the scholarship match my expectations of a postgraduate studies?
g. Application fee
h. Application progress/status
i. Application start date
j. Application deadline
k. Decision of selection panel
l. Specific details
m. General Requirements
n. Proof of language proficiency/ int'l exams and tests requirements
o. Requirements fulfilment status
p. Application information link
q. Number of referees
r. Referee report completion status
s. Things to improve on for better application
t. Contact of a student/past scholarship winner
Habibi:
DESTINATIONS?

Your preferred destination is amongst the most important factors that determine the necessary preparations and requisites that'll guide your applications.

 Before deciding to start applications, some of the important things to consider about choosing your preferred destinations are:

A. Your future expectations

B. Your plan about working conditions after study (in the country of study or elsewhere)

C. The environ (study, space, climate etc.) and geography of your destination

D. Cultural and religious differences

E. Need to learn a new language (either as instruction mode or just a requirement)

F. Studies duration

G. The prowess of the country(s) in a particular discipline or course of study

H. Mode of study (research, study, or both)

I. Health condition

J. Family(if you're married, how easy will it be for you to bring your family)

In selecting your preferred destinations; you should remember these:

*Do not pay too much attention to the names of countries or stories you’ve heard. Do not be swayed by the “myth” that the education, standard of living and opportunities are better in certain countries compared to the rest.

*Do not also be carried away by the ranking of universities. Really, you own your choice, and you deserve every top university you’ve decided to apply to. Nevertheless, do not forget that other candidates deserve these positions too! If you must select highly revered institutions, have as many backup plans as possible. I’ll suggest that you base your choice on the strength of the university as regards your field or discipline ONLY.

*Do not be like the housefly in the legends. Stipend rate should NOT be the first criteria on your screening list.

*The native language of your proposed destination does not affect your study life. Nay, it can only be of benefit to you. Do not be scared of selecting destinations where the first language is not English language; in as much as you’re convinced about the quality of study in such places.
Habibi:
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION FILE

We want to adopt the predating technique. Spend a lot of time calculating the moves of your prey, and in a swift swoop, the prey is yours!

Preparation, I believe, is the real application.

The following are some of the basic documents you require (in soft copies):

1. International Passport: Identification document
2. Transcript and Certificates (for all degrees). The transcript seems to be more important during the application stage; as it gives your reviewer an overview of your study life (and the compatibility with the sought scholarship), as well as your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Language certification and tests: Although most universities do not make this compulsory for candidates who studied with English language as the medium of instruction, you’re advised to present any international test and exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE etc. that can further convince reviewers about your abilities.

4. Motivation Letter/Research plan and other essays: Having several nice drafts of these beforehand makes it easy to write program-specific statements and/or essays, by mere modifications and review.
5. CV (in various formats to suit your applications)
6. Research proposal (for PhD and Research Masters)
Habibi:
Once you have all the documents listed above, you can apply to any university of your choice in the world.
Note that there may be some other university/scheme specific documents. But the list above gives a general overview of what is always on the checklist.
Habibi:
In some countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, getting graduate studies scholarship may require finding a professor who is willing to accept you as a graduate assistant i.e. he is accepting you as his student and will pay all your study bills and also pay  you monthly stipends from his research grants.

Below are hints on finding a supervisor...
Habibi:
GETTING A SUITABLE SUPERVISOR

For research degree scholarships and admission, the most tedious and yet most-rewarding aspect is looking for a proposed supervisor.

In fact, an individual with a First-Class bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree (Distinction) from a top-rated university and good run of research publications once told us that he sent mails to over 120 researchers but couldn't get a PhD position.

 After surfing the university website to check the list of professors and their research areas...

Please use the following steps:

*Send an introductory mail to many faculty members who are active in the areas of your interest.

* Reduce (to the barest minimum) the content of your mail. You don't need to flaunt your language skills. Professors have got tons of mails to attend to; and you wouldn't want to make their jobs more tedious (one of the reasons why most mails are not responded to).

*No need to mention your awards or your new admission and other side information. Note that your mail is just like a cover letter, it's the attachments (CV, Certificate, and Transcript) that should do these

* Do not use phrases like "I may not have...", "If my request will not be considered..." etc. Stay positive.

*Just go straight to the point, use a direct language

*Collect enough information (just enough!) about the professor, his research team, his recent publications etc. before sending a mail.

The major contents of your mail should be:
A. Your name
B. Department and institution where you graduated from, CGPA inclusive
C. Which program you'll be applying to, which session, funding etc.
D. Reasons why you've considered working with him (just mention the core areas of his research, no need to go into details of each publication).
E. State what you want explicitly, (mentorship during Application and desire to be on his team when admitted)
F. Attachments (CV, Certificates, Int'l tests scores, Transcripts)
Habibi:
Once a professor replies, you're just a step away from working with him/her.

THE LOOKOUTS AFTER FINDING A SUITABLE PROFESSOR

You must be ahead of other applicants who have chosen the same professor with you. Prove to the professor that you're always ready to work, keep tabs with him (force him to remember you!); then provide him with nice answers to his numerous questions.
Remember, he/she doesn't know you. He only reads you from whatever working relationships you've developed over the application period.
Ask if he has an on-going research, he wants you to join or if you're free to make a selection. Ask him directly...don't mince words.
Read a lot of journals on the proposed research area; and most importantly, the ones authored by the professor. It makes them feel happy knowing you acknowledge their expertise in the area (massage his ego if necessary, he/she is human), and give you discussion chances.
And of course, the cementing agent would be the soundness of your research proposal. Get a nice proposal topic with clear objectives. He'll never want to miss working with you if you exploit these areas
Habibi:
ONLINE APPLICATION

All scholarship or university applications are online.

The online platforms are always very simple and easy to fill. It requires you enter your biodata, educational information, employment history(if any) and to upload softcopy of your documents.
Habibi:
Another important part of the application is the recommendation/referee part. Most applications require you to provide details of two/three persons who can comment on your abilities.

This could be inform of entering their email, phone numbers, and names on the online application or uploading recommendations letters from these people.

 Some points to note in choosing your referee:

1. Preferably referees in academia, unless where the application specifies. You may use the individuals who have not taught you directly (and also from other institutions if necessary).

2. Avoid using friends, parents/family members, religious leaders unless when specifically required etc.

3. Make sure they are people who know you very well, and are able to write strong recommendations on your behalf. If you are still in school, start building a strong relationship with some selected faculty members and let them know you’ll be requesting recommendations from them.

4. Again, inform such individuals who are on your referees list before filling your application; and know beforehand if they’ll be able to oblige your request.

5. Up-to-date official contact details (not copied from a website page or otherwise). It is best to request for their university email to portray better credibility.

6. Use (if possible) high ranking faculty members.

7. Be sure your referees can provide prompt replies to referee request; and are able to work with the specifics of the contacting university(s). Do not let your quest for high-ranking referees push you to an individual who checks emails once in a blue moon.
Habibi:
FOR GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS

*Be sure you really want to study; not because a job is not forthcoming or to be able to travel outside the country. There are situations in graduate schools when only your focus and passion will keep you going.

*Get a list of the countries you wish to apply to, mark out all the universities and scholarships in each region, and create a folder for each. Highlight all the requisites for all of these applications before starting.

*Work towards fulfilling these requirements one at a time, re-write your statements, and re-brand your missions at every need.

*Set goals, be very specific and sure about what you want from a scholarship; and do not settle for less! You do not want to win a scholarship; and in few months after starting studies, wish you had never applied. Do not look at so many scholarships, that you'll lose count of them. Know exactly which ones match your expectations.

* At the initial stage, list out your expectations of graduate studies, and use these criteria to prune out all unnecessary applications. This will imply that you have very good perspective of the benefits, requirements, key strengths of your applications from the very beginning.
Habibi:
*Take charge of your applications. Applying for scholarships impromptu makes one lose focus and waste energy. Plan all applications well ahead, before submitting applications / applying. Do not consider just any applications advertisement that comes your way.

* Once you start, get committed. Taking breaks in-between might remove your enthusiasm.

* Find and connect to groups where information on opportunities is shared and discussed.
This is the soul of scholarship applications.

*Get good mentors. Talk and connect with scholars who have won your target scholarships. Make enquiry about the best way to make your application with the certificates you have (as well as many more questions). Of course, scholarship applications may be very similar, but the little details may matter in the long run. You can also get a good dose of motivation from their stories.
Habibi:
* Do not be fooled by your certificate. Having a first-class certificate does not guarantee you a scholarship, if you put forward a bad application. On the other hand, applying with a lesser grade does not ultimately translate into being at a disadvantaged position, in as much as this meet the application criteria.

* Get scanned copies of all your credentials ready and well-arranged at all time, in anticipation for openings.

* Take part in extra-curricular activities, social welfare programs, voluntary organizations/ volunteering, community development programs, entrepreneurship and other activities outside academics. Get certifications outside the academic field, build your skills in your areas of passion and take part in professional bodies. Participate in international leadership programs like YALI, MYMUN etc. (if you've got the knack for it); as well as personal development programs as much as possible. And most importantly, have evidences to prove these.
Habibi:
Before you become committed to applying for scholarship, make a strong resolve to never give up on your target; even when everything seems to fall apart*

* Be ready for the worst at all times; even when you had put in your best effort. Scholarship enthusiast are immune to “regret” emails. If some applications meet the brick wall; start planning how you can improve your chance in the next round or other offers. Every scholarship winner has loads of rejection emails in their boxes, it just does not show after you have won!

* Write scientific journals and papers to boost your chances in research studies scholarships.

* If you think you need TOEFL/IELTS, GRE etc., do not be worried about the cost or preparation; your goal should motivate you. Set out early!

Choose your referees wisely, and be careful of how often you send in referee requests, such that you do not get them disgruntled. Your referees should be available to reply emails promptly; and so is not necessarily that old professor. Of course, referee report alone can jeopardize your applications. *

* After putting in your best efforts, hold your head high, knowing you could not have done more. Be proud of what progress you have made, even if these efforts may not be enough in the eyes of the selection panel. And be determined to put in more effort when the next opportunity beckons.

* And ultimately, you need that bit of luck! Scholarship applications are like races, and even when you put forward your best, the number of available slots as well as the quality of other applicants may mean that you are rejected.
Habibi:
UNDERGRAD OPPORTUNITIES

 There are lots of encouraging opportunities for undergrad studies abroad.

Its just a very sorry case that most of our younger ones with as much as 5As in WAEC still sit at home for years before they gain admission or maybe the ones who wish to study medicine gets thrown in another department.

Encourage younger ones to write SAT exam. This may be somehow expensive but it will open them to boundless opportunities abroad.

Mostly to get an undergrad scholarship requires

Excellent WAEC

International passport

Age limit 21years

WAEC not more than three years old
Habibi:
Due to the time I'll stop here to take questions. I would also pass lost of scholarship opportunities to the Admin to share from time to time.

I hope I'm able to pass  some information to us.

Thank you very much for your time