Scholarship

How To Prepare For An Undergraduate Scholarship Interview

Posted on by Chidiebere Onuoha

Many undergraduates get perplexed whenever they get scholarship interview invites. This fear does not come from the place of being unexcited. It comes from the question of how to scale through the next phase of their scholarship application. If you are currently in this situation or expecting an undergraduate scholarship interview invite, this article is for you. I understand that scholarship interview processes can be daunting, from preparation to facing the panel. If you haven’t had a prior experience, it could be worse. Nevertheless, always bear in mind that you can scale through the interview. See ongoing scholarships worldwide.

In this post I will share tips on how you can ace your undergraduate scholarship interview without flaws. Useful tips, common and uncommon questions, and a list of questions to ask your interviewer that helps you stand out, will be shared in this article.

How To Prepare For An Undergraduate Scholarship Interview

Bear in mind that the major reason for a scholarship interview is to physically evaluate your competence for the scholarship. Therefore, everything you do will be graded. This is not limited to your composure, command of English and articulation. When responding to questions, respond like an experienced individual. Much may not be required from you as an undergraduate, but it’s ok to leave an impression.

Use these tips when starting out your preparation.

Think Before Speaking

Do not be in a hurry to respond to the questions asked. Listen carefully and digest the question calmly, before giving a response. I advise you are honest with your responses during the interview. Do not make up any story. Your interviewer will certainly see that.

Make Extensive Research

Researching about the University, your department, course and University’s location, is a good way to start. Go beyond the norms. This will make your interviewer impressed that you do not only know about the generalities of the school you applied to.

Be Punctual

Do not miss your interview by a second or minute. Mark the date and time of your interview and if possible, show up a few minutes before your interviewer logs in or arrives. Additionally, taking note of the day will help you be more organized in your planning.

Check Your tech

Before having a virtual interview, you should check your internet connection to ensure it is stable. Check your microphone and camera to ensure that it is working fine. Also make sure that you are in a lit and serene location before the meeting.

Practice

Allowing your family or friends act like an interviewer while you answer their questions will help your composure and articulation. Practice often before your big day.

Understand your application

You should be able to talk about why you applied for the scholarship and what your interests are. The interviewer wants to know what motivated you to apply to the university, and why you chose your field of study. Practice how to answer these questions.

Prepare to answer questions and ask questions

Be prepared to answer diverse questions about yourself and why you are a good fit for the scholarship. Learn how to answer questions about yourself and career goals. Also try to ask your interviewer vital questions about the school and scholarship. This will make the interviewer know that you are interested in your application.

Common Undergraduate Scholarship Interview Questions

Introduce yourself

This question comes in different version from different people. However, your interviewer expects your response to cover everything about yourself. This question goes beyond your name, likes and dislikes. It should cover what kind of person you are in general. In essence, sell yourself to your interviewer.

Why did you choose this Scholarship?

This question seeks to evaluate your reasons for choosing to participate in the scholarship program. It also aims to test your understanding of the scholarship mission. Your response to this question should be rational, logical and understandable. Be concise and clear.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When answering this question, talk about relevant strengths. Avoid gibberish. Mention strengths that you can show evidence for with examples. When talking about your weaknesses, show that you are aware of them, and you are willing to improve on them. Do not shy away from these weaknesses or downplay yourself.

What are your career goals?

Just like you did when talking about yourself, mention your relevant long and short term career goals. Talk about them extensively, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them successfully.

Why do you deserve this Scholarship?

This question seeks to evaluate your overall competence for the award. Furthermore, your interviewer wants to know if your goals align with the needs of the body offering the scholarship. When answering this question, I advise you speak extensively on your interest in the scholarship. Show your need for the scholarship to help achieve your goals and how you intend to use the scholarship after your programme.

Who is your role model?

This question does not aim at judging your preferences, but to know more about you. On this note, your response should revolve around genuine reasons and experiences.

More Common Questions

What is your most meaningful activity/involvement from the past few years?

When answering this question, think about how you have impacted someone or something. If you do not have any external experience, recall a family time that is important to you. The activity must not be an official one.

Talk about a mistake you’ve made

This can be a tricky question for many students. What you should note when tackling this question, is what you actually learnt from the situation. Honesty is advised here, but your response should not mar your scholarship candidacy. Be moderate.

Uncommon Graduate Scholarship Interview Questions

After the regular questions are exhausted, your interviewer may end the session, or continue with more questions. These questions are usually the toughest in an undergraduate scholarship interview. The questions tests your composure, and articulation in tense situations. Here are a list of uncommon questions you might be faced with during your interview.

Where Else Are You Applying?

This is a very tricky question because you have to show why this particular scholarship is the best for you. It’s okay to let your interviewer know that you applied to other scholarships. Mention that this particular award is the top on your list and you’re elated to be given an interview opportunity.

How do you deal with failure/disappointment?

This question is asked to test how you are able to handle negative situations. It is also a test on your perseverance level. To answer this question, you should relate your understanding on seeing failures and disappointments as a path to success. If any, share relevant life experiences and how you were able to overcome those challenges. Talk about the lessons learnt from your experiences and how it has affected you negatively and positively. If you do not have any experience, speak on the understanding of failures/disappointment as a path of life. The positive and negative aspects of failures and how you never give up despite.

How do you deal with academic stress?

This question is directed at your composure, reasons why you are expected to maintain a calm composure throughout the interview. Avoid these in your non-verbal communication: folding in on yourself, fidgeting, playing with hair, intense eye contact (be natural about it), rigid posture.

More Uncommon Questions

Where do you see yourself in the coming years?

Share your long and short term goals in a precise manner. Talk about how you want to achieve those goals, routing it through the scholarship. Share realistic goals.

How do you manage insensitive coursemates?

This question aims at your ability to network despite. You will have to deal with different people from different backgrounds. Your ability to manage humans must be cultivated. When answering this question, talk about your school experience and how you were able to tolerate everyone regardless. If possible share meaningful experiences.

What is your most significant accomplishment?

You would have accomplished some academic feats in your academic journey. While sharing your accomplishment, stay humble. Your accomplishments are valid and worthy and you should absolutely be proud of them. However, you’re about to enter an arena where everyone is at least as accomplished as you are. Therefore humility is key.

Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

Before ending the session, your interviewer would want to know if you have questions. Please utilize this opportunity to ask meaningful questions to score more points.

  • What opportunities are available through the program to gain practical work experience? 
  • Ask about the scholarship organization itself.
  • What is the criteria for choosing candidates?
  • Is the scholarship renewable?
  • How many students are awarded the scholarship yearly?
  • Are there additional requirements that apply to the scholarship?
  • What is your honest opinion about my performance during the interview?

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