Some scholarship providers conduct interviews after selecting the candidate from the application. It is conducted to know more about the candidate and students have to prepare themselves for the interview. It is a great achievement to reach the stage of the scholarship interview. To crack the interview, students have to prepare themselves thoroughly with the questions that were asked in the interview. Strategic preparation is very important to break through nervousness and present yourself as a competitive candidate. Here we will discuss the strategic approach to prepare effectively for the scholarship interview. Let’s begin with the context of the scholarship interview.
What is a Scholarship Interview?
A scholarship interview is a meeting that is conducted formally between the scholarship applicant and the panel of individuals from the institutions who are awarding scholarships. The purpose of conducting a scholarship interview is to assess the qualifications, character, achievements, and suitability of the applicant as per the application for the scholarship. Through conducting a personal interview, the committee gets to know about the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. The points that they mentioned in the application are evaluated by the committee at the time of the interview. The committee of interviewers asks a variety of questions including academic, extracurricular activity, leadership goals, and aspirations. The applicant can show their confidence and communication skills to the interviewer and also mention how they can use their skills and participation in the growth of the institution. The interviews can be conducted through phone, video conference, or in person. So, students have to prepare themselves thoroughly with the questions, asked in the interview.
How to Prepare for a Scholarship Interview?
The steps that you have to follow to prepare yourself for a successful scholarship interview are mentioned below. The steps also include the questions that are asked on the primary basis in the interview. To make a strong impression, just stay calm and confident in front of the interviewer.
The Steps to Prepare Effectively for a Scholarship Interview
- Acknowledge the Scholarship: Knowing about the details of the scholarship including minor and major is very relevant because familiarisation with the background, mission, goals, and values of the scholarship is important. Sometimes, in the interview, the interviewer asks about the background of the scholarship. So, research well and tailor your responses that highlight your interest in the scholarship.
- Assess Your Application: Assess your application to know what you have mentioned because it may be the case when the interviewer asks questions about the application. So, be prepared to answer the questions based on your application. The application includes essays, letters of recommendation, and other documents.
- Prepare the Common Interview Questions: Every interview is unique but some questions are commonly asked by the interviewers. The questions include why you deserve this scholarship, tell us about yourself, what are your strengths and weaknesses, and what are your career goals, etc. Prepare your answers concisely and precisely. Be confident while giving your answers.
- Mock Interviews: As you know practice makes a man perfect. Similarly, conduct mock interviews with your family, friends, and teachers. Told them to ask the common questions that you have researched and then you should try to answer them. Also focus on other things like body language, communication skills, dressing, basic etiquette, etc.
- Highlight Your Achievements: If there is any new achievement unlocked by you that you haven’t mentioned in your application, must highlight that in the interview. The achievements include both academic and extracurricular involvements. Show your dedication, commitment, and passion towards the field of study and the institution.
- Dress Formally: Your dressing sense shows your attitude towards the organization and education. Choose your dress appropriately that describes your seriousness towards the opportunity. It refers to formal attire that doesn’t include any bright colors.
- Research about the Interviewer: Before sitting in the interview, research the interviewer’s interests, background, and likings and dislikes. It will help you in framing your answers as per their preference.
- Prepare Your Questions: If you have any doubts regarding anything, you can ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Prepare your questions in a thoughtful way that attracts the interviewer to your thoughts. Don’t ask any silly questions because it creates a negative image from your end. To show genuine interest, ask questions that align with your goals.
- Time Management: While answering the questions in the interview, don’t hesitate and don’t go off-topic. Answer questions in a precise manner, don’t over-explain things, and provide details in limited words. The lengthy answers may irritate the interviewer.
- Practice Stress Management: Students feel nervous at the time of the interview and it impacts their performance. To relax your mind use some relaxation techniques including deep breathing etc. Don’t forget that you are selected by your application. So, don’t stress yourself and remind yourself about your qualifications and achievements.
- Show Gratitude: Don’t forget to say thank you as they give you their precious time. At the start of the interview, give them a glimpse of who you are, and at the end, summarise your answers with a thank you note. After the interview, you can send them an email to express your gratitude. It shows your interest and leaves a positive impact on the interviewer.
- Don’t Stop Yourself: If you face rejection and don’t get the scholarship, then learn from your rejection and try yourself with other scholarship programs. Ask for feedback and request them to help you with your shortcomings. It will help you in improving your interview skills for future applications.
Therefore, these are the strategies that you have to follow before sitting in the scholarship interview. If you work on these points, it will improve your chances of getting a scholarship.
Conclusion
Preparing yourself for the scholarship interview is a rigorous process because it requires a lot of research and planning. To present yourself in front of the interviewer, you have to research the scholarship, interviewing panel, your strengths and weaknesses, your goals, work with your skills, etc. You have to craft your answers concisely and precisely so that they do not irritate the interviewer and create a positive image from your end. While giving an interview, you must be confident, authentic, and professional. Don’t use any slam language and provide answers formally. Must show your gratitude towards the opportunity and thank them for their support and time.