How an Antitrust Lawyer from India Secured the Prestigious Fully Funded Schwarzman Scholarship to Study Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in China

I am Noel Therattil from New Delhi, India. I began my career as a Legislative assistant and then worked as an antitrust lawyer in the government of India. Despite pursuing law, I had a deep interest in international relations. My work and studies during this period required considerable ancillary research on China. In light of this, the opportunity to study the Chinese political economy and society, and the opportunity to live and travel in China, was tempting.

Schwarzman Scholarship Details

The Schwarzman Scholars Program is a one-year, fully funded leadership program and master’s in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. It is the first scholarship created in response to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st The academic curriculum is comprised of the three pillars of leadership, global affairs, and China.

Each year, up to 150 scholars worldwide are selected for the program, which has an acceptance rate of <4%. The scholarship covers tuition and all aspects of living, ranging from flight tickets and semi-annual living stipend to housing and food support.

Educational background

Prior to graduating from Schwarzman College, I pursued a bachelor's in law from Gurugobind Singh Indraprastha University and then a Master’s in Space and Telecommunications Law from NALSAR University. My educational background required ancillary research that mostly indirectly pertained to China and East Asia.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

I did my undergraduate and graduate studies in academic institutions that use English as their teaching language, therefore, I did not undertake another English language exam.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Scholarship?

For the first stage, the majority of my focus was on the essays. I started a month prior to the deadline and went through 3 iterations for each essay. The final iteration of the essay, which I submitted, was drafted two days prior to the deadline. For the video, I took an unorthodox approach with a few creative liberties.

For the second stage, to prepare for the interview, I followed international developments more keenly and spent time listening to podcasts about regions and topics I usually did not focus on.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I kept the application as straightforward as possible, including highlighting both my professional achievements and failures. I also emphasised the fact that my past and future work, though seemingly unrelated to China, would greatly benefit from the experience of having lived in China, and to introduced ideas from a political system that is not well understood in my region of the world.  In addition to this I stressed my experience working with politicians and the government, and referenced my published works on public policy and legal matters.

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

I'd invest heavily in interview preparation with recorded practice sessions and feedback from mentors and friends. However, I'd be more strategic about whose feedback I seek and implement.

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

Authenticity resonates with selection committees who read hundreds of applications. Don't try to be who you think they want. Be genuinely yourself and let your unique voice come through. Share your true motivations, challenges, and aspirations.