How I Secured a Fully Funded Bachelor's at the University of British Columbia, Canada Through the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship

My name is Tahsan Samin, and I am originally from Bangladesh but was raised in Uganda. I am currently studying a combined major in Computer Science and Statistics at the University of British Columbia. I chose CS because I have had a deep passion for coding since my early teens. I have experimented with game dev, web dev, and AI/ML.

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship Details

University of British Columbia, Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship, Full ride (Tuition + living expenses (rent, food, miscellaneous, etc.))

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

George Mason University, University Scholars program scholarship, Full tuition scholarship

• UT Dallas, in-state tuition waiver
• UHouston, in-state tuition waiver
• UAlabama, SAT-based scholarship (not sure about the amount)

Educational Background

• IB diploma (41/45)
• IGCSE (8a* 1a)

I ensured that my educational background allowed me to explore my passion in STEM by taking courses such as physics, math, chemistry, etc.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of British Columbia?

How Did You Find Information About Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship and University of British Columbia?

I found out about scholarships through my school counsellor and online forums. In particular, I used Reddit. A simple Reddit search such as “list of universities offering scholarships/aid to international students USA reddit” can take you a long way. Sometimes you can find nicely organized online spreadsheets on these online forums. Also, not to mention, I used AI to find opportunities. There were also university fairs I attended where I connected with university representatives to learn more about scholarship opportunities. Reaching out directly to university representatives online asking for opportunities is also another way. A lot of times, their emails are on the university website.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, I took the SAT (1470) and IELTS (8.5). I used free online resources such as Khan Academy and YouTube.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship?

I ensured that my grades were as high as possible to the best of my ability, of course. Furthermore, I strived to lead and initiate good, community-oriented extracurricular activities. In addition, I built good relationships with my counselors and teachers from whom I obtained excellent letters of recommendation.

How is Your Experience at the University of British Columbia?

My experience at UBC has been amazing. I have made a diverse group of friends with people from different countries, different interests, and life stories. The campus is also stunning, with amazing views of the ocean, gardens, and wildlife. The professors are incredibly supportive, especially towards first-years. Interacting with such a diverse community has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, allowing me to grow as a person.

How Do You Rate the University of British Columbia Academically?

I would rate UBC highly, especially for my field of computer science. UBC has a lot of industry leaders and exemplary researchers. You can just drop by office hours and have a chat with some of these amazing individuals.

How Does the University of British Columbia Support International Students?

UBC offers multiple scholarships for international students. Furthermore, there are initiatives such as JumpStart intended to support incoming first-years in making friends. There is also dedicated international advising. Vancouver is also one of the most diverse cities in the world, making it easy to find your people.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Personally, I believe I had a convincing story. I tried to blend my passion for technology with my passion for communal impact. This helped me create a good theme along which I could base the rest of my application.

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

I would have researched opportunities earlier at least 2-4 months before application windows. I also had to overcome a lot of self-doubt, and looking back, I would remind myself of my immense potential.

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

I would say that make sure you are well planned: research opportunities in advance, work on your application in advance, write those essays beforehand. Make sure you have a backup plan if all else fails. Planning beats intelligence almost 99% of the time. Furthermore, I would remind them to always have hope and never underestimate themselves. I could never have imagined myself winning such a prestigious scholarship. Everyone around me painted a picture of the typical student who gets accepted into such scholarships, and it was very clear that I was not that particular fit, but one still April afternoon I found that email sitting in my inbox glaring at me. Just goes to show you hard work, faith, and hope can bring wonders.