King-Morgridge Scholarship Recipient, Lusayo Mwakatika from Malawi, Shares the Story of How He Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue His Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business Management at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Hello, I am Lusayo Mwakatika, born and raised in Lilongwe, Malawi. I studied Agricultural business management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison because I want to help solve the hunger problem in my country. About 80% of the people in Malawi are smallholder farmers living in rural areas and fail to sustain themselves all year round. Through agriculture, my goal is to help more young people get into farming and bring innovation and creativity to farming.

King-Morgridge Scholarship Details

I was part of the inaugural cohort of the King-Morgridge scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program aims to sponsor 6 high-achieving students from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America to pursue their undergraduate education in their choice of field. The total scholarship amount awarded to the students is about $250,000, covering tuition and fees, room and board, and air tickets to travel to and from the home country every year.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I was also offered the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Michigan State University, which also offered approximately $250,000 to African students to pursue their undergraduate education at the school.

Educational Background

I did my high school education at a government local secondary school in Lilongwe, Malawi, called Chipasula Secondary. During my high school years, I maintained a high GPA (about 3.8/4), and I also scored highly in my end-of-year exams, where I got all As in the subjects I wrote. My school prepared me for college because I had a good foundation of basic subjects such as Math, Physics and Chemistry, and English Literature, which was helpful for me later in life when I got to college.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

I took a gap year after high school to discover my passion and prepare for standardized tests, since I did not take them when I was in high school. I mostly used Khan Academy and Kaplan materials to prepare for the SATs, and I mainly used ETS materials to prepare for the TOEFL. I found out about the scholarships by talking to students who had studied in the US before and had returned for the holidays. But most importantly, I used EducationUSA, which was a great resource for me, especially through my EducationUSA advisor, who was very good at guiding me in my journey applying for schools. My advisor especially helped me in editing my essays and pushing me to find a passion that drives me, which would later set me apart from other people when I was applying.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the King-Morgridge Scholarship?

The scholarships required me to demonstrate a commitment and passion to give back to my community. So, I was able to do several community service programs, and I also joined several extracurricular activities, including a book club. I also had to study the standardized tests by myself, so I made sure I was going to the library and studying as much as possible for the tests. I also attended youth and entrepreneurship events to continue immersing myself in issues in the country and to continue hearing from experts on the different solutions that were being offered to problems happening in the country.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

At UW-Madison, I had a great time because I was able to pursue my interests with a lot of support from my professors and fellow students. UW is heavy in research, and I was able to get some research experience by working with professors who were doing work in Malawi. I was also involved in the student government, where I was the philanthropy director, and I was the commencement student speaker at the time I was graduating.

How Do You Rate the University of Wisconsin-Madison Academically and Why?

I would rate UW-Madison very highly when it comes to academics because it has several world-class faculties in the different departments it has. The classes were also very rigorous and involved an emphasis on practicality, which was helpful for me. UW has a special focus called the Wisconsin Idea, where they want to take the education inside classrooms to the outside world, where it can make an impact. I think this commitment makes them stand out, as most things taught are relevant when students graduate.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my application was unique because I was a well-rounded student. I did not only focus on academics, I made sure I had very comprehensive experiences outside of school, including my volunteering experiences and other extracurricular activities. I believe talking about all these experiences in my application showed my passion and vision as a student.

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

I don’t think I would have done much differently if I were applying today. I know KM was and is still a competitive scholarship. But I feel like the requirements have not changed; they are looking for authentic, high-achieving students who have unique ideas. And as a student, finding a way to show evidence of the things you have done before and show how they will influence your future is something that will always make the application stand out. As for me, I understood that Agriculture was my passion, and I knew it was unique because most young people are not attracted to it as much, so I knew I would stand out with that.

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

I would say find something that you are good at and emphasize that as motivation for your future. Do not try to copy a template on how other people made it; admissions officers can tell, as they read thousands of applications. However, spend time assessing what your strengths and weaknesses are and present a balanced, unique perspective of yourself. The more unique you are, the better your chances of standing out from a pile of applicants.