Scholarship interview tips: questions, preparation and what panels look for

Why interviews matter

Many private, university and international scholarships shortlist candidates on paper and then decide through an interview. By that stage every candidate is eligible, so the panel is choosing the person they believe will make the best use of the award. Preparation makes a visible difference.

Questions you are likely to be asked

Prepare a short, honest answer for each of these:

• Tell us about yourself and your family background
• Why did you choose this course and what do you want to do after it?
• Why do you need this scholarship and how will you use it?
• Describe a difficulty you faced and how you handled it
• What have you done outside your studies?
• How will you give back to your community in the future?

How to prepare in one week

Re-read your own application and essay, because questions are usually drawn from it. Research the provider's mission and past scholars. Practise answers aloud with a friend or in front of a mirror, keeping each answer to one or two minutes. Prepare one or two thoughtful questions to ask the panel at the end.

On the day

Dress neatly and simply. Carry printed copies of your documents in a folder. For online interviews, test your internet, camera and microphone beforehand, sit in a quiet well-lit place, and look at the camera when speaking. Be honest — if you do not know an answer, say so calmly and explain how you would find out.

After the interview

Send a short thank-you email if you have the panel's contact, and keep tracking the result. On ScholarX you can move the scholarship to 'Under review' in your application tracker and get notified about any updates.