- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 2 months, 3 weeks ago by
.
-
-
For Ayo*, a 26-year-old Nigerian, the distance between her present reality and her dream future seemed like a towering wall. But she realized that one thing could help her break through: audacity. With that mindset, she began her pursuit of graduate studies abroad—a pursuit that would eventually land her a full scholarship in the United States, but only after sending a staggering 360 cold emails to professors across different universities.
Today, Ayo is based in New York, where she is enrolled in a master’s–PhD track program in biosciences and biotechnology. But the road to get here was far from smooth.
The Beginning: From JAMB Struggles to Graduate School Dreams
Ayo left Nigeria in August 2025, but her journey began years earlier. Like many Nigerian students with dreams of medicine, she wrote JAMB multiple times.“It wasn’t because I failed,” she recalls. “I scored as high as 270. But medicine is extremely competitive. You need over 300 and nearly straight A’s in WAEC. My WAEC wasn’t strong enough, so I was offered alternative courses, but I refused. That’s why I ended up writing JAMB so many times.”
Eventually, she studied zoology at the undergraduate level. Although her dream of becoming a medical doctor didn’t materialize, she recalibrated. Now, her focus is on becoming a professor, contributing to society through teaching and research.
Debunking the CGPA Myth
Many believe that scholarships abroad require a perfect CGPA. Ayo disagrees.“Aiming for a first-class isn’t bad, but a second-class upper can still take you far if you have strong experiences. I graduated with a 4.19 CGPA, which converted to about 3.52 on the US 4.0 scale. Since most schools require a minimum of 3.0, I was eligible.”
To strengthen her application, she leaned heavily on research experience, volunteering, and teaching, all of which helped her stand out.
The Power of Cold Emails
Ayo’s success hinged on a relentless process: cold emailing professors.“I gathered my transcripts and passport, then started reaching out. I sent over 360 emails, sat for about 20 interviews, and got accepted by three professors,” she explains.
Her strategy was simple but effective: search for professors whose research aligned with her interests, read their papers, and craft personalized emails. “You have to express genuine interest in their work, show how your skills fit in, and explain what you can contribute to their lab,” she says.
Despite facing numerous rejections—including from one of her dream schools—she pressed on. Out of six applications, she received three rejections and three acceptances.
Preparing Beyond Academics
Beyond emails, Ayo put significant effort into her applications:- She wrote a strong Statement of Purpose and secured compelling recommendations from supervisors.
- She paid application fees where required and took English proficiency tests.
- She leaned on support systems like EducationUSA, mentoring groups, and LinkedIn connections.
“Sometimes, strangers I met online even offered to pay my application fees when I couldn’t afford them,” she recalls with gratitude.
Opportunities for All Fields
While her field is biosciences, Ayo insists opportunities aren’t limited to science students.“One of my friends got a full scholarship in Creative Writing. She just had to show passion, experience, and submit a strong application. For arts students, it may take extra effort, but it’s possible.”
Life in the US: Expectations vs. Reality
Now in New York, Ayo describes life as both challenging and rewarding.“Here, there are multiple exams per semester, endless assignments, and constant reading. But the system is supportive. Professors and classmates are open and willing to help. We do lots of presentations, which is improving my public speaking.”
She currently works as a teaching assistant, balancing research, classes, and building friendships with people from all over the world.
On a happiness scale, she says: “I’d rate it an eight. I’m doing meaningful work, making global connections, and growing in ways I never imagined.”
Advice for Aspiring Scholars
For anyone seeking similar opportunities, Ayo offers practical steps:- Define your why. Be clear on why you want graduate school.
- Build relevant experience. Research, teaching, volunteering, and field-specific skills matter.
- Learn cold emailing. Personalize your approach and show real interest in professors’ work.
- Prepare key documents. Statement of Purpose, recommendations, transcripts, and passport.
- Use networks. EducationUSA, LinkedIn, and mentoring groups can open doors.
“Rejections will come,” she adds, “but don’t stop. Keep sending that next email. Sometimes, audacity is all you need.”
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.