Ph.D. Public Policy and Public Administration Student Zara Qaiser from Singapore and Pakistan Shares Her Journey of Studying at The George Washington University, United States

My name is Zara Qaiser. I’m originally from Singapore and Pakistan (yes, both!), and I am now pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University, specializing in gender and social policy. Before starting my PhD, I spent about seven years working in international development. Over the course of my career, I worked closely with government agencies and a range of stakeholders to advance evidence-based policy reform, with a particular focus on gender and economic inclusion. Through my various roles in different organizations, I became increasingly interested in how rigorous research can shape programs and influence policy decisions. Wanting to learn how to conduct rigorous research (which, after almost two years into my PhD, I can confidently say is an art), and to use that research to inform programs and policies ultimately led me to pursue a PhD.

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) Doctoral Fellowship Details

I am a recipient of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) Doctoral Fellowship at The George Washington University. CCAS houses 42 departments and programs, including the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, where I am completing my PhD. CCAS provides full funding to most of its doctoral students. These funding packages typically cover full tuition, a living stipend, a salaried graduate assistantship, and a subsidy for health insurance. The graduate assistantship involves working 20 hours per week as a graduate teaching or research assistant.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

In addition to the CCAS Doctoral Fellowship, I was offered funding from three other PhD programs across two universities: American University and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

• PhD in Economics, American University: Merit Graduate Assistantship covering full tuition, a living stipend, and health insurance.
• PhD in Public Administration and Policy, American University: Graduate Merit Award covering full tuition, a living stipend, health insurance, travel support, and summer funding.
• PhD in Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantship covering tuition and a living stipend.

Educational Background

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of London, where I graduated with First Class Honours. After completing my undergraduate degree, I began working as a Research Analyst at a development consultancy firm in Pakistan. About a year into this role, I became certain that I wanted to build a long-term career in international development, particularly within multilateral institutions such as the United Nations. To gain the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills required for this career path, I went on to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge.

After completing my master’s degree, I worked across several multilateral and development organizations in roles related to research, policy analysis, and program design, with a focus on gender and economic inclusion. As I became increasingly interested in policy work, I also completed a Professional Certificate in Public Policy and Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

My academic training in economics and development, combined with my professional experience in research and policy roles, equipped me with both the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration, with a specialization in gender and social policy.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to The George Washington University?

How Did You Find Information About Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) Doctoral Fellowship and The George Washington University?

Research, research, research. There are many online portals and resources available for identifying external scholarships. However, to learn about university-specific funding, I focused first on researching PhD programs that genuinely aligned with my interests, looking closely at curricula, faculty expertise, and departmental research strengths. Through this process, I learned that not all PhD programs offer funding. Hence, I prioritized programs that either guaranteed funding or had a strong track record of providing full funding to their doctoral students. This helped me apply strategically and maximize my chances of receiving full funding.

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

I applied to several universities, some of which required standardized tests such as the TOEFL and GRE, while others did not. To keep my options open, I decided to take both exams, even though these tests were optional for the program I ultimately joined at GWU.

To prepare for the TOEFL, I relied primarily on the free practice tests and preparation materials available on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website. For the GRE, I used a combination of free and paid practice tests and study resources provided by ETS. In addition, I practiced extensively using the Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems and watched YouTube videos and other online resources to better understand test strategies and question patterns.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) Doctoral Fellowship?

There was no separate application for the scholarship itself, so my preparation focused on strengthening my PhD applications. I spent weeks (if not months) researching programs that aligned closely with my interests in gender and social policy. Program rankings can be a useful starting point for understanding which universities are out there, their reputations, and how they may be viewed by potential employers, but proper research goes far beyond rankings.

For each program, I carefully reviewed the program and department websites in detail, including faculty profiles, departmental research areas, affiliated research centers and institutes, the broader university environment, and information about current and past PhD students. Identifying programs that genuinely aligned with my research interests and represented the right academic fit was the most important step in the entire process.

Beyond this, and aside from the many other steps involved that I am happy to discuss if readers reach out to me, I spent a lot of time on refining my statement of purpose. I worked to ensure it clearly articulated why I wanted to pursue a PhD, how my academic and professional experiences had prepared me for doctoral study, and how the PhD would help me achieve my long-term goals. Most importantly, I worked on ensuring that my statement had a clear narrative, a coherent theme, and a well-defined potential research area.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe academic fit mattered the most. It was not any single degree, GPA, or experience that made my application stand out. PhD applications are reviewed holistically, and each component should contribute something meaningful. Collectively, all components of the application should tell a coherent story about the applicant.

The statement of purpose plays a particularly important role in this process, as it signals whether an applicant is genuinely prepared for doctoral study. In my case, my research focus clearly aligned with one of the program’s core areas, gender and social policy, and overlapped with the research interests of at least one faculty member. This alignment helped demonstrate both my preparedness for a PhD and my fit within the program’s intellectual community.

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

I actually went through the PhD application process twice. I first applied for PhD programs for entry in Fall 2023, and it did not work out. I then reassessed my approach and applied again for Fall 2024, at which point I was admitted to four fully-funded PhD programs.

The second time around, I was much more intentional about choosing the right universities. Rather than prioritizing rankings alone, I focused on programs that genuinely aligned with my research interests. I paid close attention to academic culture and program environment, to ensure that they were a good fit for how I wanted to work and learn. Faculty alignment was also key. While it is neither necessary nor realistic for all faculty members to share your interests, having even one or two whose research overlaps with yours can make a significant difference.

I also spent more time looking at what past students from each program went on to do after graduating. Some programs primarily train students for academic careers, while others prepare students for policy, practice, or a mix of both. I ultimately chose a program that offered flexibility and had a strong track record of graduates pursuing a range of career paths, including those I am interested in myself.

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

1. Do your research.
   I cannot emphasize this enough. Whether you are searching for scholarships, identifying universities, or figuring out how to approach your statement, in-depth research is essential. Look into both external and university-based scholarships, and explore programs across different countries. Even when applying for external scholarships, remember that you still need to apply separately to an academic program, so make sure that process receives just as much attention. Go beyond rankings and dig into faculty research interests and publications, current and past PhD students’ interests and career paths, affiliated research centers and institutes, and the program, department, and university websites. Pay close attention to mission statements, values, and academic culture. All of it matters.

2. Talk to people who have been through the process, and get feedback on your statement.
   When I was applying, I spoke with many current PhD students, both at universities I was applying to and at others, to understand their experiences with both admissions and funding, and what the application process actually looked like in practice. These conversations helped me assess whether I was prepared for a PhD and how different programs supported their students financially and academically. I also strongly recommend having your statement reviewed by people who have gone through funded PhD or scholarship applications themselves, rather than friends or family, to receive constructive feedback. I now guide students through both scholarship and university application processes and review statements. Feel free to reach out to me @agradsguide.
3. Make sure your application tells one coherent story.
   Each component of your application should add something distinct, instead of simply repeating the same information. For example, your statement of purpose should not read like a list of achievements from your CV. Instead, it should provide context and connect your experiences to your research goals. Similarly, your CV, statement, and letters of recommendation should complement one another and collectively present a consistent narrative. It should not feel as though they belong to three different people. A coherent application makes it easier for both admissions and scholarship committees to understand who you are and why you are a strong candidate