How a Mathematics and Economics Student from Pakistan Won the Fully Funded Lester B. Pearson Scholarship to Study at the University of Toronto

My name is Hassan, and I am from Quetta, Pakistan. Mathematical logic and economic policies pique my interest, which is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in two majors: Co-op Mathematics and Economics at the University of Toronto Scarborough. The idea of practical work as a part of a co-op degree is what led me to choose Mathematics at Scarborough Campus as my first choice, which is where my scholarship was awarded.

Lester B. Pearson Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Lester B. Pearson scholarship as part of the 2024 cohort at the University of Toronto. With an acceptance rate of less than 1.5%, the Lester B. Pearson scholarship is awarded to 37 international students across the world who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to the global community. This scholarship covers the entire tuition, residence, books, and incidental fees for my entire undergraduate degree. Before the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, I also received an entrance scholarship, the International Scholarship award at all three of the UofT campuses, including the UofT Mississauga Social Sciences and UofT St. George Computer Engineering.

Educational Background

I did the GCE O Levels and completed the GCE A Levels in high school. The depth of knowledge in A levels, especially from my versatile subjects, not only helped me with the course load at UofT but also gave me transfer credits, which would require me to take less courses than I need.

I was first informed about and encouraged for the scholarship by my school counsellor. Due to the nature of the scholarship, it first requires your school to nominate you before you can even apply for it. Due to my involvement in extracurricular activities and my personal projects, along with my grades, my counsellor decided to nominate me. This scholarship application enabled me to talk about what I am passionate about, which is what enabled me to express my interests, endeavours, and goals in the application.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I feel like what stood out the most in my applications was my essays. Everyone applying must have had really, really, really good grades and some killer activities and projects, so the essays just sort of showed who I really am as a student, as a person, and as a contributor. I love writing, so I took my time on the essays and truly let myself shine in the words.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I wouldn’t change a thing—if it worked, it worked! I believe everything happens for a good reason, the failures and the successes. What I would do, though, instead try enjoying the waiting period a little more.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

If I ask a room of students what they think would stand out in an application, most would end up giving very similar answers, which beats the whole point of standing out. However, if the students were to write about their own true self in no way related to the application or subjected to judgment, you would find that all the stories are fundamentally unique to the readers. An example I can bring from one of my own short answers in the application was from a prompt which asked me what I wish to do with my degree, whereupon I answered that I have a tendency to switch my interests and I am too young to decide that at the moment, but all I know is that I wish to do a degree in Mathematics. Then ended with a quote from the book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse,’ where the Boy couldn't see his way forward, and the Horse asked, "Can you see your next step?" "Yes," said the Boy.
“Just take that.” This could've risked showing a lack of ‘sense of direction,’ but it was authentic. The Committee wants to see who you really are rather than who you think they want to see, so the best advice I could give is to express yourself as best and as accurately as you can.