Chevening Scholarship Scholar Vanya Arikutharam from India Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the Imperial College London, United Kingdom

I am Vanya Arikutharam from Bengaluru, India. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering (GPA - 8.9/10) with a minor in Computer Science. During my third year of undergrad, a few friends and I founded a startup to try to find a solution to the lack of accurate hyperlocal weather forecasts in India. The main problem we saw was a lack of granular data, and our solution involved deploying a network of hyperlocal weather stations in order to bridge that gap.

After 2 years as an entrepreneur, I worked for 6 months at Homa Health, a health AI startup that aims to reshape the healthcare landscape by offering employers advanced solutions to transform their liability management from reactive to proactive.

I realised that the challenges using machine learning and artificial intelligence are not trivial and wanted to equip myself with more knowledge and skills.

Educational Background

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering (GPA - 8.9/10) with a minor in Computer Science from PES University.

Having a solid engineering education, coupled with my experience from running a startup in the climate space, provided the perfect foundation for studying a Master's degree at a top institution.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Imperial College London?

How Did You Find Information About Chevening Scholarship and Imperial College London?

I did extensive research online on both scholarship information and top institutions for my field of study.

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

I took the IELTS and received an overall band score of 8.5. I prepared independently using their official book with practice tests.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

There was no specific preparation to apply for the scholarship. I was generally aware of the Chevening scholarship, and I was particularly keen to pursue the MSc at Imperial College London. At the time of my application, I was an entrepreneur, and coursework at Imperial was aligned with my professional goals.

How is Your Experience at Imperial College London?

I’ve actually written a detailed article on this while I was a student. You can read it here - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/my-imperial-story-vanya/

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship?

I am currently working as a Machine Learning Engineer at OpenWeather, where I research the latest AI developments and work on bringing AI products to life.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

There was a clear alignment with my professional achievements and the scholarship’s focus on showcasing leadership as well as having ambitious goals to excel in your field. I also explained clearly on how my chosen degree of study would help achieve my future goals. It is important to not only show that you have a clear post study plan, but it should also have an authentic impact in your chosen field.

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

If I were going through the process again I would start preparing my application essays much sooner (at least 2-3 months before the deadline). I would also reach out to more previous scholars in my field to ensure that my application aligns with what the scholarship team expects from a prospective scholar.

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

Ensure that the Chevening scholarship is the right fit for your future career plans. It requires a minimum of two years of work experience and a clear vision on how you will take on a leadership role and create an impact in your field.