Scholarship Application and University Grades

Society Business and Career
1

I just graduated from a ‘prestigious’ Engineering college of Pakistan and I wish to apply for a scholarship at a foreign university for postgrad studies, that being the only way I can afford it.

Back in O and A levels I secured As in all the subjects and was a high achiever at school. But moving into a pakistani system I wasnt able to maintain the same kind of percentages, partly due to my own laziness and handicap at memorising formulae (always provided at A levels) and producing the answers in the form required by the teachers (verbatim). Yet I have a deep understanding and interest in the courses I appeared for in my undergraduate studies and I have always tried to make sure the exam system does not change the way I approach education.

Annnnyyyyywaaaaaaaay, keeping my sob sob story aside, my real problem is that the scholarship committee wouldnt really buy much into such an explanation. Even if they do, it would only serve to dent the credibility of my degree.

Is there any way to let them know that my university marks might not be reflective of my knowledge and enthusiasm for learning, which can certainly be verified through my A/O level record?

PS. My university percentage averages around 73, which isnt in the top half of the class.

2

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

GIKI eh?
for masters u can try to see if you can get grad or research assistantship positions instead, they are easier to get than scholarships.

the decision rests in the hand of profs and dept chairs. If u can convince them that u know what ua re talking about, have a personal interest in the type of research they are leading, they can do a lot for you.

Aaj Kiss Baat Par Gussa Aaya ??????
3

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

Hi BKW,

Although your situation sounds bleak on the outset… it may not be all that desolate. Stuff like this happens quite often… many of us tend to be short sighted in undergraduate studies and don’t even get thinking about graduate studies until our junior or senior years. Sometimes, it’s an afterthought post graduation.

So what can you do if this happens…

In many cases, candidates utilize their extra curricular activities to make up for their deficiencies in grades. I’m hoping that there are things like lab work, projects, internships, volunteer work or personally motivated initiatives that can somehow strengthen your portfolio.

Do you have any relevant work experience that can be highlighted? Any industry endorsed training or certification?

Also remember that if the Universities that you plan to apply to require standardized testing like GRE etc. – these scores can matter in the overall decision making process as well.

You can tailor your application package to highlight the stronger aspects of your portfolio. Admissions Committees have a mandate to ensure that they recruit well rounded individuals… in many cases this means that the candidate brings in more than his/her GPA.

If you think that your overall portfolio is weak, then it may be in your best interest to take one or two gap years… and get some work experience under your belt before applying to graduate school. Most schools would look at this favorably.

Also, sometimes if you can’t get into the program of your choice directly, you can try to enroll in a lesser demanding program and consider it as a stepping stone to your ultimate goal. You just need to make sure that your grades are significantly better in that interim program. Also, it would help if you complement the academic experience in class with some practical or research experience.

All in all, there are various routes available to you… in the end you need to make a choice and persist with it.

Ok I know this might sound stupid
4

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

Thanks X2 and Umar, your replies have been most helpful:)!

Nope its not GIK but a government run university (its history being the only reason for its reputation).

Umar, I am planning to appear for the GRE tests. In addition to the general one I also want to give the GRE Math Subject Test and I haven't been doing all that bad in the sample papers:) The scholarships do say that a GRE is a big plus so I am glad about that!

Unfortunately, I don't have any work experience in my field, not even an internship. But I have taught O and A level Physics and Mathematics for the last 4 years (right after I appeared for its exam). Although private tutoring is a norm for university students here, I got the opportunity of being associated with an institute and for me it was much more than a source of pocket money. That was the point when I truly appreciated the subjects which until then had just been a matter of good grades and getting into a university. I may be able get a letter from the institute stating my experience and record as a (student) teacher. Such an experience doesn't hold much in Pakistan, how much weight will the foreign universities give to this?

Also, I received University of Alberta's Chancellor's Citation scholarship for undergraduate Engineering which I was not able to pursue due to unfortunate circumstances (father's health leading to his death an year later). Will the mention of the scholarship have any negative impact on the scholarship committee ('what if he backs off again from a scholarship that could have gone to some other deserving student?') or does that form a part of my past achievments?

5

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

BKW-

I would say try and do mention u were offered UA's scholarship which you could not pursue due to family respoinsibilities and events, I ams orry to hear it, walking awqy from an opportunity but to fulfil your suty as a son.

Try looking up research being done in areas of your interest, find the profs, gettheir emails start connecting with them, they would almost always pick a less academically strong person who has real passion for that field and those projects than a netter student who is not that interested. someone landed at one of the topinstitutions in his field in US using that approach, with a research assistantship.

took some effort but it was worth it.

6

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

I tell this to everyone who asks me for advice on graduate school admissions. A generic application is not going to get you too far. Even tier-2 and tier-3 schools get hundreds of applications for admissions every year. However, if you've exchanged a few emails with somebody you're interested in working with... done your homework on what their interests are and how you can be a good research assistant to them by virtue of your competencies and interests, than this shows initiative. Being proactive always helps!

7

Re: Scholarship Application and University Grades

Thanks for the help:)

Contacting the researchers sounds like a great idea. I'll step on it :)