How an Indonesian Mechanical Engineering Student Won the Fully Funded Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship to Pursue Her Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto

Hi, I am Karen, an Indonesian student studying Mechanical Engineering as one of the Lester B. Pearson International Scholars. I am glad to experience a plethora of different cultures, ranging from the wonderful country of Indonesia to the vibrant cities of Shanghai and Toronto.

As a regular flyer between my home in China and my extended family in Indonesia, I became intrigued by the apparent defiance of physics displayed by an airplane as it lifted, despite being denser than air. This ‘magic’ kindled in me a fascination for learning the theoretical backbone of engineering – mathematics and science while applying these fundamental concepts to analyzing, understanding, and improving the inner mechanisms of different objects, especially cars and planes. As a result, I chose Mechanical Engineering, and it’s a versatile subject with lots of exciting applications.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Details

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is a prestigious merit-based scholarship that is awarded by the University of Toronto (U of T) to 37 international students annually (with an acceptance rate of approximately 1.68%), and, more specifically, awarded to four engineering students yearly. The scholarship was created with the intention of gathering a select group of outstanding students from all over the world to study at U of T.

The scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers the following:

- tuition and incidental fees for up to four academic years
- residence cost and meal plan for each academic year
- book costs and other expenses.

Educational Background

I studied under the British-Patterned Education System, where I studied the International Advanced Levels (A-levels) and International General Certificate for Secondary Education (IGCSE) curricula.

During the last two years of high school, I studied five A-level subjects: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science, where I received A*s in all the subjects. On top of my A-levels, I undertook an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) where I wrote an essay titled ‘How plausible is it that Formula 1 will become net zero carbon by 2030’? The A-level curriculum facilitated an opportunity for me to gain in-depth knowledge and specialisation in mathematics and the physical sciences, which were relevant to the Engineering fields that I had an interest in. Undertaking an EPQ taught me skills like critical thinking, project management, and academic writing.

Additionally, for IGCSE, I studied Mathematics (A*), Additional Mathematics (A*), Physics (A*), Chemistry (A*), Biology (A*), Computer Science (A*), English Literature (A*), Geography (A*), Chinese (A), Art & Design (A), and English Language (A). The IGCSE curriculum enabled me to focus on subjects that I had an interest in whilst maintaining a general education.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Toronto?

During high school, I looked at university rankings to have an idea of which universities are good for Engineering. Simultaneously, I also thought about the location of the university in terms of whether I am proficient in the teaching language and if I would like to live there. I ended up applying to various Engineering subjects in different universities in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, and the Netherlands.

For every university I was interested in, I researched the application requirements and made sure to prepare in advance. For example, I made sure to brainstorm, write, and refine my essays months before the application deadline. Additionally, I prepared for Engineering entrance exams for universities in the UK and the Netherlands during the summer.

Throughout high school, I also took on as many activities as I could on top of school, such as academic competitions, leadership roles, and STEM projects.

I took the IELTS roughly 6 months before the application deadline. I achieved an overall score of 8.0, and I prepared for the exam by doing practice questions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship?

Surprisingly, I did not know about the Pearson scholarship until September of my last year of high school. I indicated interest in applying to U of T to the university counselor in my high school, and he recommended that I apply for the Pearson scholarship. Therefore, I did not specifically prepare for scholarship applications, but I think much of my preparations for university applications were helpful.

How Is (was) Your Experience at the University of Toronto?

I really enjoy my experience at U of T because I can learn lots, explore Toronto, and make friends. I like to engage in clubs, such as design teams, because they are great opportunities to learn outside of the classroom and apply my knowledge.

I am currently working as a summer research student where I can explore my interests, gain practical experiences, and make contributions. I particularly like to work in labs where I help graduate students with their experiments.

How Do You Rate the University of Toronto Academically and Why?

U of T has high academic standards and a rigorous curriculum that pushes us to learn and improve. There is a wide range of opportunities at U of T due to a wide selection of courses and lots of cutting-edge research going on.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

This is a good question that I still occasionally ponder to this day. I would say that my essays were a strong component of the application because they illustrated genuine stories of life experiences that led me to a breadth of interest, including Engineering. Furthermore, my application showed that I took on as many opportunities as I could while doing well in school, highlighting leadership skills and well-roundedness.

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

I would have focused more on researching scholarship opportunities earlier. This is because receiving a scholarship is a great honor and enables you to receive a high-quality education with minimal financial burden.

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

I would make sure to carefully read the description for each scholarship to have an idea of what they are looking for. During the application, I strongly encourage you to start your essays early and give time for refining. Use the essays as an opportunity for people to know who you are, so be genuine. Moreover, reach out to people who have received the scholarship for more in-depth and specific advice, as many of them are more than happy to help you and provide feedback. I am always happy to help people with their university and scholarship applications, so please feel free to reach out to me through LinkedIn, and I will try my best to help.