Our client, who is now studying Computer Science at the University of Michigan, shares how it all happened and the hurdles she overcame to secure a fully funded scholarship.
Fifty-three applications. That’s how many scholarship forms I filled out before landing my dream opportunity at UMich. Was I persistent? Absolutely. Was I doing everything wrong? Also absolutely.
If you’re gearing up for the 2025/2026 application cycle, learn from my expensive mistakes (both financially and emotionally).
The Numbers Game Fallacy
I applied to every scholarship I found online, thinking quantity trumped quality.
I was basically playing scholarship gamble. I would do about twenty applications with generic essays and about five targeted applications to reach those numbers.
Now here’s what actually works. Research 10-15 scholarships that actually match your profile. Better to nail fewer applications than fumble fifty.
Essay Recycling Gone Wrong
I was using the same “Why I deserve this scholarship” essay for all my applications. Spoiler alert, the Rotary Club doesn’t care about your passion for marine biology when they’re funding business students.
So write custom essays for each application. Yes, it’s more work. No, you can’t just change the organization name and call it personalized.
Playing It Too Safe
I only applied for need-based aid because I thought my 3.7 GPA wasn’t “scholarship material.”
I later found out that merit scholarships aren’t just for first-class graduates. Leadership experience, community service, and unique backgrounds all count big time.
So please apply for both need-based and merit scholarships. You never know what catches an evaluator’s eye.
Deadline Drama
I would submit applications at 11:47 PM on deadline day, multiple times. The stress was unreal.
The rushed applications show, typos happen and important documents get forgotten.
So ensure you finish applications 48 hours before deadlines. Use that buffer time for proofreading and last-minute tweaks.
[You can download our 2025/2026 scholarship trackers HERE to stay ahead of deadlines]
Recommendation Letter Rookie Moves
Earlier on, I used to ask for recommendation letters two weeks before deadline and wouldn’t even provide recommenders with my resume or essay drafts.
I’d always end up with generic letters that could’ve been about anyone.
Then I began asking recommenders 6-8 weeks ahead, giving them my personal statement, resume, and specific scholarship details. This made their job easy. Now my letters stood out with more personality, so be sure to implement this.
The Interview Preparation Gap
After fixing my application process I got my first scholarship interview invite and panicked. I got so immersed in the application process that I forgot that I hadn’t practiced talking about my achievements without sounding arrogant.
After fumbling my first interview, I immediately made interview prep a key part of my application process.
Here are some Interview prep essentials:
- Practice your elevator pitch
- Prepare specific examples of leadership and challenges
- Research the scholarship organization thoroughly
- Have thoughtful questions ready
What Actually Worked
After 52 rejections, here’s what finally clicked:
The winning formula:
- Applied to 8 highly-targeted scholarships
- Wrote compelling, specific essays
- Started applications 3 months early
- Got feedback from professors on drafts
- Followed up professionally after submitting
Reader, Here’s Your Immediate Action Plan
September-October 2025: Research scholarships, start drafts. November-December 2025: Request recommendation letters. January 2026: Submit early deadline applications. February: Handle interviews and follow-ups. March onwards: Celebrate acceptances, learn from rejections.
Conclusion
Getting scholarships in 2025 is competitive, but not impossible. International students face extra hurdles, but opportunities exist. The key isn’t applying to everything, it’s applying smart.
Don’t make her mistakes. Be strategic, start early, and remember that rejection isn’t personal. It’s just data telling you to adjust your approach.
Need help crafting your scholarship strategy? Ile Iwe Education specializes in turning scholarship dreams into reality. Our consultants have helped hundreds of students secure funding for universities abroad. Contact us for personalized guidance on your 2025/2026 applications.
Call us directly: +234 907 489 9999, +234 908 499 9981
Address: A307, Ogba multipurpose shopping complex, Ogba, Lagos.
Ready to start your scholarship journey? Download our free “Scholarship Calendars” and never miss another deadline.
