How a Nigerian Student Secured a Fully Funded Ph.D. Scholarship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Hello! My name is Racheal Oluwabukola Asaolu. Although I was born in Ekiti State, I grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria. As a Visiola Foundation Scholarship recipient, a fully-funded scholarship, I have had the privilege to pursue my educational goals. I founded the Students’ Ambassador Network (SAN), an initiative designed to help public secondary students in Nigeria choose the right career path through mentoring, scholarships, and encouragement to pursue careers in STEM fields.

To pursue my Master’s degree, I received a full-tuition scholarship that also covered my health insurance.

Currently, I am a PhD student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA, USA. In 2022, I applied to WPI and was selected to pursue my PhD in Biology & Biotechnology with a fully funded scholarship that covers my tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, and includes health insurance.

Educational Background

I received The Visiola Foundation scholarship for my undergraduate studies and graduated from Lead City University with a degree in Biochemistry, with a CGPA of 4.82. The scholarship covered my tuition fee, a living stipend, health insurance, and conference fee. I was the top graduate in my department. For my master's program in Biochemistry, I also received a scholarship that covered my tuition and health insurance and graduated with a first-class degree and a CGPA of 4.83, once again being the best in my department. I have a passion for mentoring and teaching young people. During my time at Lead City University, I served as the Senate President and Academic Director for the Nigeria Biochemistry Society. In my second year, I founded the Students’ Ambassador Network (SAN), a volunteer group dedicated to mentoring and teaching STEM courses to students in public secondary schools. We also provided textbooks and exposed students to technology. Additionally, I was a facilitator for the Visiola Foundation STEM Summer Camp in Abuja, Nigeria for over 6 years, a program aimed at sparking teenage girls' interest in STEM and providing mentorship. After graduation, I completed the mandatory National Youth Service at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in their Bioscience Center.

How Did You Prepare for the IELTS Exam?

The truth is, I only took the IELTS but didn’t use it to secure my PhD admission. The English proficiency test requirement was waived because I informed the school that the mode of communication during my undergraduate and master's studies was English. Nevertheless, I’ll share my test experience because it was quite amusing. After registering for the IELTS, I got a textbook, but it wasn’t very helpful. Instead, I relied heavily on YouTube videos for my preparation. I also took several mock exams to manage my time effectively. On the exam day, I had a sudden bout of stomach issues and could only use the restroom at the start of each section, giving me limited time. What really saved me was the extensive practice from the mock exams. In the end, I achieved an overall band score of 8.0.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

I watched numerous YouTube videos and spoke with people already in grad school. Before the application window opened, I had already compiled a list of schools I intended to apply to. I carefully reviewed each school's requirements to ensure I met them and paid close attention to the deadlines. The next step was gathering the required documents, which typically included my CV, unofficial academic transcripts (some schools require official transcripts), certificates, proof of English proficiency, and a personal statement. I also reached out to the schools to request waivers for the application fee and proof of English proficiency, providing valid reasons for my requests.

I placed significant importance on my personal statement, treating it as a second CV. This is the primary way for the selection committee to get to know me and make their decision. Therefore, it’s crucial to tell your story honestly and thoughtfully. Your personal statement should convey why you chose the course, your passion for it, your journey so far, why you selected the school, and your long-term goals. A compelling and authentic story will capture the committee’s attention, even among thousands of applications. After writing my personal statement, I had it proofread by friends and mentors, particularly those knowledgeable about the application process. I was very intentional about selecting recommenders, as I understand the importance of strong recommendation letters. Your recommender should know you well and be able to provide detailed insights about you and your journey.

Additionally, I connected with people already studying in the US and UK, asking them numerous questions to gather information about the application process. Many of these connections were made through LinkedIn, especially if they were at schools I was interested in. My approach was to reach out for help whenever needed, knowing the worst response I could receive was a "no," in which case, I would simply move on to someone else. Lastly, I prayed to God for guidance and success throughout the process.

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

Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing about my approach. Everything I did led me to this scholarship. However, I do wish I had applied to schools in the US sooner, as my focus was initially on European countries. If I had done so, I might have started my PhD program earlier.

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

My advice is to put in the effort and be intentional about the process. Do thorough research and seek out knowledge; there are plenty of resources available. You just need to dedicate your time to exploring them. The application process can be stressful, but trust me, studying abroad is even more demanding than you might imagine. Reach out to people who have gone through the process, but ensure you've done your homework before asking for help. Put your best effort into every application because you only need one YES, and you never know which application will succeed. Wishing you the very best!