My Scholarship Application Expedition

Introduction

In this blog post, I will take you on a captivating journey through my scholarship expedition. After completing my undergraduate studies, I knew I aspired to become a Data Engineer, but the path to achieving this dream remained unclear. While the idea of pursuing a master's degree always lingered in my mind, Postgraduate studies away from my homeland was indistinct for me. However, my perspective changed drastically when two of my friends secured prestigious scholarships at renowned institutions abroad. One earned the DAAD scholarship to University of Potsdam in Germany, and the other received the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship to the University of Debrecen in Hungary. Their achievements sparked a desire within me to explore international educational opportunities. The allure of studying internationally infected me with the desire to explore available options. Join me as I recount my pursuit of higher education abroad, a journey filled with vicissitudes that eventually led me to the doorway of Queen Mary University of London.

Are you sure you want to try this?

The DAAD Scholarship

With excitement and hope, I started my very first scholarship application attempt, the DAAD scholarship by the government of Germany. However, the massive application form, presented in both English and German, was a bit overwhelming, I was startled and for weeks wasn’t sure as to whether I wanted to carry on. A key requirement for applicants was to have at least two years of experience working or volunteering in their proposed field of study for a master's degree. Since I had recently started my very first career role as a research intern, I made the common mistake newbies make - disqualifying myself.I ended the application there.

The Rhodes scholarship

The prestigious Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University followed suit. As a highly revered and competitive scholarship, it is an opportunity any scholar would endeavor to pursue. Being a competitive scholarship, it had only five available positions. Driven by ambition, I embarked on this application journey as well. Along the way, I discovered that having a passport was a prerequisite for successfully submitting the application. Regrettably, I didn’t have one at the time, and this esteemed scholarship slipped through my fingers.
It was crystal clear that I needed to consolidate my documents before attempting further applications.

It is just the beginning…

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Scholarship to Stellenbosch University

Soon afterwards, an exciting opportunity arose at Stellenbosch University in South Africa for a fully funded Master's program in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Determined to seize this chance, I promptly began the application process. This particular application had a two-step approach – first, applying to the School of Computer Science for acceptance into the program, and then having the opportunity to be considered for funding.
I worked diligently to meet all the requirements, which included writing compelling motivation letters and a detailed research statement. I also carefully curated my resume to showcase my skills and experiences. Finally, I submitted my application with great hopes.
After a couple of months filled with anticipation, an email arrived. "Dear applicant, thank you for your interest..." I read with excitement. However, my elation soon fizzled out as the email continued, "I regret to inform you that we received a voluminous number of applications..." Ouch! The gates to Stellenbosch University won’t open this time.

The AIMS Senegal Scholarship

Still in 2022, a new beacon of opportunity emerged. The African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) unveiled scholarships for master's programs in Mathematical Sciences under the ambitious campaign "Next Einstein will be African." The prospect of becoming part of this transformative initiative piqued my interest, and I seized the chance to apply once again.
Three months later, an email notification brought familiar emotions to the surface. "Dear applicant, we appreciate your interest in the AIMS Senegal Scholarship. However we regret to inform you that ..." The words echoed with a bittersweet resonance, another chapter of hope and potential culminating in a closed door.

Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

It was not long before the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship by the Hungarian government was announced, which is a promising pathway for international students to pursue their studies at Hungarian universities. Captivated by the MSc computer science programs offered by the University of Debrecen and the University of Szeged, I enthusiastically embraced this opportunity and decided to submit an application for this esteemed scholarship.
Applications for this scholarship involved the sending government in the selection process. In addition to online submissions, candidates were also required to provide hardcopy applications to the designated sending partner—in my case, the Ministry of Education in Kenya. This sending partner would then nominate their preferred scholars for the scholarship. I made my applications to both universities and a separate one to the scholarship committee. After this, I submitted my hardcopy application to the Ministry of Education ensuring they were all certified by a commissioner of oaths (at a cost of course). Unfortunately, after waiting for months, a rejection email came! Ouch!

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

During my ongoing search for opportunities, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, offered by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa, captured my attention. This prestigious scholarship not only provided financial support but also mentorship and leadership development. Intrigued by its prestige, I decided to give it a shot. I reached out to my referees (three in total) who agreed to provide the necessary reference letters for my application. Additionally, I crafted compelling essays as required, addressing topics like leadership, conflict resolution, and peace enhancement. While the essay writing phase was daunting, I successfully completed and submitted my application.
In the following weeks, my referees were contacted for their references, this sparkled my hopes. However, after a month of anticipation, a bittersweet rejection email arrived. It kindly explained that the panel had received an overwhelming number of applications, making decisions a challenging task. This marked the second time I had faced disappointment within a year, as I missed out on Stellenbosch University once again.Oh boy!

The Dawn

Wanna go to Cambridge?

Cambridge? I mused to myself, a voice of doubt echoing alongside my aspirations. It was October 2022 when I stumbled upon the Mastercard Foundation scholarship to the University of Cambridge. Despite facing consistent failures, the allure of Cambridge persisted in my mind. "The worst I can get is a rejection," I reasoned out. Am I not even accustomed to disappointments? I cajoled myself.
With renewed determination, I decided to take the leap and give it a shot. With hope and a dash of skepticism, I embarked on the application process. The scholarship required an offer from Cambridge, so I began by applying for the MPhil Advanced Computer Science program at the Department of Computer Science. Thanks to the Mastercard Foundation, the application fee was waived – a small yet significant assistance. After expressing my research interests on paper to secure a study offer, I shifted my focus to the scholarship application, aiming to secure funding for my studies.
The scholarship focused on environmental conservation and was tailored to African students. Crafting a motivation letter that highlighted the impact of my chosen course on conservation, I felt a surge of confidence. My experiences in DSAIL, particularly my work on Bioacoustics for environmental monitoring using Bats, gave me the assurance to convey my ideas effectively.
Upon submitting my applications, I reached out to my referees for recommendations. Despite my haste in requesting them, they didn't hesitate to support me – for that, I am truly grateful. A month later, on January 25, 2023, I received an invitation for a virtual interview with two professors from Cambridge's Department of Computer Science. A mix of excitement and nervousness overwhelmed me. On the interview day, I dressed in a suit, set up an external microphone and webcam, and even indulged in a haircut for good measure. The interviewer, who would later become my supervisor, praised my blazer, setting a positive tone for the interview. To my surprise, the interview was not the intimidating ordeal I had anticipated. The interviewer was cordial, after a couple of technical yet manageable questions, we engaged in a 30-minute conversation delving into career advice. The experience was amazing!
Weeks later, a Friday evening found me lounging on my couch, weary and contemplating the upcoming long weekend. Interrupting my thoughts was an email notification with the subject line, "University of Cambridge Conditional Offer of Admission." My heart raced as I read the email; I had secured admission to Cambridge for my postgraduate studies. Elation coursed through me. Some weeks later, another email arrived, revealing that I had been assigned to Girton College (for I had made an open application – without specifying my college of choice).
Unfortunately, the Mastercard Foundation funding did not materialize for me. As of this writing, I hold a nomination for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, placed on the reserve list. This status means that I could be promoted to a scholarship holder if one of the initial recipients declined their offer. This however heightened my aspirations.

It's Time

Following a conversation with my director, I received valuable advice to cast a wide net by applying to multiple potential universities. Acting on his counsel, I compiled a list of universities that didn’t charge application fees. This included the University of Sussex, University of Glasgow, University of Warwick, Durham University, University of Edinburgh, and Queen Mary University of London. Subsequently, I received conditional offers from the majority of these institutions. I also submitted an application to the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMs), this time opting for their Ghana Campus.
Sometime later, I chanced upon a LinkedIn post announcing a Google DeepMind scholarship opportunity at Queen Mary University of London. The eligibility criteria specified that applicants should identify as black, with the scholarship aiming to increase representation of underrepresented groups in AI. Additionally, applicants were required to hold an unconditional offer for a postgraduate course in AI, Computer Science, ML, or Gaming at Queen Mary. As I met these criteria, I eagerly submitted my application.
The turning point came on June 28, 2023, it was a public holiday as it marked "Eid-Ul-Adha," - the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and therefore I was not in office, thank you to our Muslim counterparts. I was at home, engrossed in a script for my bioacoustics project when an email notification appeared. Initially dismissing it as routine promotional emails, I later opened my mailbox to find an unread email with the subject line "Google DeepMind Scholarship Outcome." As I read the message, it began to sink in - "Mr. ..., we are delighted to notify you that your application to be considered for the Google DeepMind Scholarship was successful. Congratulations..." I pinched my cheeks to ensure I was awake, repeatedly reading those words. With a mixture of emotions, I hesitated to share the news, though I needed confirmation that this was indeed real.
In the following weeks, during the season of celebrations, I received another congratulatory email from AIMS, indicating that I had been considered for a scholarship at their Ghana campus. Additionally, I held a scholarship for an MSc program offered by our lab - DSAIL, which is hosted at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). After careful contemplation and consultation, I made the decision to accept the DeepMind scholarship at Queen Mary University of London.

General Advice to Prospective Scholarship Applicants

My scholarship journey has underscored the importance of determination, persistence, and patience. Rejections are part of the process; do not let them deter you. Building a strong network of referees, preferably university lecturers who can attest to your academic capabilities, is crucial. Before embarking on applications, ensure all required documents are prepared and organized. Having a project or significant work experience to discuss can be invaluable, especially for interviews.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Ephantus Mwangi, Dr. Jotham Wasike, and Dr. Jeremiah Kinyanjui, all senior lecturers at Kirinyaga University, for agreeing to serve as my referees. Special thanks go to Prof. Ciira wa Maina, Director of the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) and a professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), for his mentorship, guidance, and numerous reference letters. I am immensely grateful. Lastly, I want to acknowledge Purity Kavwele, an MSc student at the University of Potsdam, for her unwavering encouragement and advice throughout this process. A big shoutout to all of you.