Indian Student Wins Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship to Study at University of Toronto

I’m Sai Nikam from India, currently studying in Canada. I came to Canada as an 18-year-old only because I was awarded the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, which is a fully funded scholarship by the University of Toronto, to pursue my undergrad here.

I did a Bachelor of Science Honours, double majoring in Psychology & Linguistics and minoring in Semiotics & Communication Studies. Then, I recently completed my Master of Information degree at the University of Toronto, with a concentration in User Experience Design.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship by the University of Toronto in 2019. This is a fully funded scholarship awarded to only 35 international students from all across the world based on academic excellence, leadership, and community impact. This award sponsored my tuition and living costs for all four years of my undergraduate studies and amounted to a total of CAD 250,000.

Educational Background

I received this scholarship for my undergrad (details given above). I maintained a 4.0 GPA for both my undergrad and grad studies.

I completed my education up to high school (Grade 12) in India and always topped my class. I was always in the range of 95% and above. The grades were one of the many evaluation criteria for this scholarship.

I was in the Science stream for my high school education in India. The rigorous curriculum helped prepare me for studying at UofT.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Different Institutions?

My only criterion while applying abroad for undergrad was getting a scholarship. Hence, I looked for universities that offered them or some other type of funding. I applied across the US, Canada, and Singapore for scholarships.

In terms of preparation, every institution has different requirements. Mostly, I was required to write essays highlighting my skills and why I thought I’d be a good fit for the scholarships.

How did you prepare for the SAT and the IELTS?

I had taken the SAT and the IELTS while in high school. In SAT, I scored 1490/1600 and got an 8.0 band in the IELTS. My scores in these exams were not exceptional, but they are just one of the many criteria for evaluation.

I prepared independently for these exams. I bought books with practice tests for these exams and studied from free resources online.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Different Scholarships?

Each scholarship had a different theme – leadership, community impact, past achievements, etc. Depending on the prompt they gave, I was required to write one or more essays demonstrating why I was a great fit.

How was Your Experience at the University of Toronto?

I had a great time at the University of Toronto. I got exposure to diverse people, ideas, thoughts, and perspectives like never before. It was my first time living away from family, and that too in a foreign country. COVID struck in the middle of my undergrad. However, I got a lot of support from my scholarship committee and my college within the university.

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

My experience studying at UofT was great. I found my professors to be quite approachable and willing to help whenever I needed it. I’ve heard peers complain about difficult grading, but experiences differ for everyone.

How Does the University of Toronto Support International Students?

UofT is committed to supporting international students in all possible ways. Although funding opportunities are always limited, there’s a lot of support in terms of academics, mental health, finding housing, making friends, etc. Your department/faculty/college is usually your first point-of-contact, so even if the university is big, you can usually find your little circle.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I had strong grades, leadership experience, and extra-curricular achievements. But more than these, I feel like the way I write and communicate my stories and perspectives is what makes me stand out. I write from my heart and the authenticity is reflected in it.

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

I would have asked seniors to proofread my writing and suggest improvements. This was something I hadn’t done before while applying for scholarships, but over the years, I’ve found that having others look over your work can be immensely helpful in catching mistakes and clarifying your arguments.

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

Apply early, understand the theme of the scholarship (wherever provided), talk to past recipients and just be honest in whatever you write. Sometimes, we are told to magnify our achievements to make them sound more impressive, but evaluators can see through it. Hence, I’d suggest avoiding that. Be truthful about what you did and importantly, always highlight what you learned from it/why that made you a better person.