Common Scholarship Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them!

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By Rebecca Holley | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
11/02/17
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If you’ve applied for a scholarship for college and have been asked to interview with the scholarship
committee, congrats! You’re one step closer to winning.

This might not be your first interview, but there’s a good chance it will be your first scholarship
interview. We’ve put together a list of the most common scholarship interview questions (and how to
answer them) to help you prepare.

1. “Tell us about yourself.”

It sounds simple, but there is a right way to answer this question. They’re not asking for your life story
here. Don’t waste time talking about what’s on your resume or scholarship application – they already
know all that, and they want to see what else sets you apart from other applicants! Give them a quick
overview of what your interests and skills are, how that relates to receiving this scholarship, and why
you’d be the best person to win.

2. “What’s your greatest strength?”

If you’ve made it to the scholarship interview, they already think you’re pretty awesome, but this is the
time to really show them. If you’re a good writer, tell your interviewer(s) how much you enjoyed your
high school English class or what your strategy was for writing your scholarship essays. If you enjoy
performing, give an anecdote about helping others overcome stage fright. Whatever your strength is,
always be specific and give examples.

3. “What’s your biggest weakness?”

The key to talking about your weaknesses is to paint them in a positive light. (And no, saying you’re a
perfectionist isn’t a real answer.) If public speaking isn’t your strong suit, explain how you took a public
speaking class, and even though it still makes you nervous, you’re working on overcoming your fear. If
you struggle to work in group projects, give an example of a time you were able to let go and trust other
people to accomplish something great together. Even if you’re still working on overcoming a weakness,
the thing your interviewer really wants to see is how you handle it.

4. “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”

You don’t deserve this scholarship because you have a high GPA or because you won’t be able to go to
your dream school without it. You deserve it because all of your skills and accomplishments have come
together to get you to where you are today. Explain that you know there are plenty of applicants who
are deserving of this scholarship, but your unique experiences are a good indicator of your future
success, and receiving this scholarship will open the door for many more opportunities.

5. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

You don’t have to have your entire life mapped out for the next five years, but the scholarship
committee wants to see that you’ve got some sort of game plan. What do you want to accomplish while
you’re in college? What do you see yourself doing after graduation? Incorporate how this scholarship
will give you a leg up on accomplishing your goals.

6. “Who is your role model?”

When your interviewer asks this question, they’re trying to learn more about who you are, not about
your role model. Whether it’s a family member, a teacher, or a celebrity, explain how their actions have
inspired you or what you’ve learned from them and why.

7. “Do you have any questions for me?” or “Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
Whatever you do, don’t say “no.” Use this as an opportunity to mention anything you didn’t get to talk
about that you think the scholarship committee should know, or to ask a few questions that show your
interest in the scholarship. Here are a few ideas for good questions to ask:

 What’s something you wish you would have known when you were in my shoes?
 What advice would you give someone in my position?
 How/why did you get into this field?
 What do you think is the biggest challenge for people looking to get into this field?

It’s important to keep it professional, but don’t be afraid to have fun with your scholarship interview!
The scholarship committee has already seen your application, essay, and transcripts – now it’s your
chance to show them who you are beyond that.

Question: Why do you deserve this scholarship?

Answer: This one’s a toughy. Be honest and open. You applied for this scholarship for a reason, and now
you need to put it into words. (For a more involved answer, read our guide on what to say when you are
asked why do you deserve this scholarship.)

Question: What are your career goals?

Answer: For this question, they are looking to see if you have a plan. What are you going to do after
college? If you can showcase how this scholarship will get you closer to your career goals, that’s a good
move.

Question: Who has been a role model for you?

Answer: Make sure you consider this one beforehand. The people you admire says a lot about you, and
you need to be able to explain that. Is it a famous person? Is it a family member? A teacher? It’s
important to remember your role model’s character flaws as well, and how they are inspiring in spite of
them (or maybe because of the way they’ve overcome them).
Question: Tell me about a mistake you made.

Answer: Like naming a weakness about yourself, they’re looking for self-awareness of your flaws. No
human is perfect. More importantly, they’ll want you to explain what you’ve learned from your failures.
How have you grown as a person because of that experience?

Question: Why did you choose this school?

Answer: As it’s highly unlikely you just picked a school at random, you should be able to answer this
pretty easily. Was it because of a certain program offered? Did a family member attend? Has this always
been your dream school? Expound a little on your answers – they’re looking for someone with passion,
who is going to commit to earning a degree at that institution. They want to know your answer to “why
you want to go to our college”.

Question: What activities are you involved in?

Answer: Like with your college application, you’ll want to demonstrate that you do more with your time
than study. This is a great opportunity to showcase your willingness to work with other people, show
that you have a good work ethic at your job, and to talk about your involvement in groups. You
shouldn’t list everything; you’ll want to talk about the groups you’ve contributed to. Be sure to mention
the activities that are related to the scholarship, if any.

Question: Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud.

Answer: If your proudest moment is that time you burped the entirety of the ABCs forward and
backward, you might want to re-evaluate. Talk about something you struggled with. Maybe it was when
you got moved to a starting position for your team. Maybe it was first A on a paper that you worked
hard on.

Question: Is there anything else you want to add?

Answer: Take this question seriously. They are giving you the opportunity to talk about anything you feel
wasn’t sufficiently covered by the other interview questions.

Different types of Masters interviews

Interviews for postgraduate study can follow several different formats, depending on the university and
subject you apply to study.
When invited for an interview, it is likely you may also be given a tour of the department, or a
presentation to provide you with detailed information about the course structure and facilities available.

The following are some common postgraduate interview types:

A formal interview

A formal interview takes a similar format to a job interview. You might be interviewed by one tutor, or
by a panel.

You're likely to be asked a series of questions relating to your decision to continue to postgraduate
study, such as why you've chosen this university, and what you hope to achieve from a Masters degree.

A Skype interview

In some situations, it might not be easy for you to get to your prospective university. This could be the
case, for example if you're an international student applying to study abroad.

In such situations, some institutions offer remote interviews using Skype, or other video-conferencing
software.

Just like face-to-face interviews, these processes can be led by a single interviewer, or a panel.
Questions are likely to be similar too, but you'll need to think differently about how you come across.

Make sure you have access to a good computer with a clear webcam and fast internet connection, set
up somewhere tidy, quiet, and well-lit.

An informal chat

You may be invited along for a more informal discussion with a prospective tutor. This could take place
in their office, or in a coffee shop or other location on campus.

No matter how casual your interview may be, it is important to ensure you're well prepared. The
questions you're asked may be less rigorous, but you'll still be expected to demonstrate an interest in
your course and university - and explain why you've chosen them.
A practical test

You might be invited to carry out an aptitude test, to prove you have the necessary skills for your course.

This is more likely to be an admissions requirement for practical or vocational qualifications, as opposed
to those that rely on specific existing skills.

For example, if you are applying to do an MBA or a professional course such as Journalism, you might be
asked to prove you have the requisite skills or knowledge.

These are generally 'on the day' tests, rather than graduate entry tests.

A presentation

If you're applying to do a research Masters (such as an MPhil or MRes) you may be asked to give a short
presentation.

This will normally involve clearly outlining your research proposal and talking through your planned
methodology.

An oral presentation could also be used to assess applicants for courses that develop (or require) skills in
leadership and public speaking - such as MBAs.

What about PhD interviews?

Applying for a PhD, rather than a Masters? Your interview is likely to be more formal, with a focus on
your research project and proposal. Head over to FindAPhD.com for guides to what's involved - and the
questions you might be asked.

How to prepare for your Masters interview

Whatever format your interview takes, it's important to prepare. That was you can walk in (or log-in)
feeling calm and confident.
Preparing for a postgraduate interview doesn't necessarily need to be difficult, or time consuming. The
following are some simple steps to take:

Read up on your course

If you arrive at your interview without any knowledge about your prospective course, you're unlikely to
come across as an enthusiastic, passionate candidate. To make a good impression, read around your
programme.

Start with the course descriptions here on FindAMasters (after all, this is the information the university
thinks is important). But don't stop there. Look carefully at the faculty's website and read in detail about
the different modules on offer.

Also take a look at the reading list, if there is one available. If you have already read something that's
covered on the course, it could be a great thing to discuss with interviewers.

Finally, read up on the course lecturers, their areas of research, and the things they have accomplished
during their careers. You don't need to be able to summarise their CV to them, but showing an
awareness of their interests is a great way to demonstrate yours.

Read current research in your area of interest

What better way to impress interviewers than by showing you have read up on the very latest research
in your study area?

This is vital for PhD interviews, but it can also be important for Masters courses - particularly if you're
applying to do an MRes or MPhil.

You need to have a solid grasp of the current state of research in your field, especially if your Masters
will involve you carrying out research of your own. How else will you know that your work is original?

Look over your previous work

It is likely that you'll be asked to discuss the areas of your subject in which you are particularly
interested. However, it may be several years since you wrote up some of your undergraduate
assignments.
Reading back over your previous academic work will refresh your memory as to the different topics you
studied during your Bachelors, and give you specific examples of research and work you enjoyed
carrying out.

An undergraduate dissertation or final project is a particularly good conversation point, as it provides an

example of an extended piece of work you have carried out independently.

Prepare some questions

Interviewers will be keen to ask you questions, but they are also likely to give you an opportunity to ask
any questions of your own.

There's no need to make questions up for the sake of it, but do use this time to make sure you have a
clear understanding of what the programme will offer you.

Don't be afraid to ask any course-related queries you might have, from contact hours to what previous
students have gone on to do.

What to wear

When it comes to clothing, you should treat a Masters degree interview like a job interview.

There's usually no strict dress code once you're on a postgraduate course, but you should try to make a
good first impression by arriving in clean and smart clothes for your interview.

This applies to all interviews, even those done by Skype (though arguably in this case it's only your waist
upwards that will count, as long as you stay seated).

What to bring

You might wish to make a note of any feedback or general course information that your interviewer
provides, so bring a notepad and a few pens.
You might also want to bring along a copy of some of your past work, particularly if you're keen to
discuss this with your interviewer.

Finally, if you are asked to submit any work in advance of your interview, make sure you also bring a
hard copy of this along with you. It's likely your interviewer will wish to discuss it with you.

At the end of the day, being prepared isn't going to hurt. Provided you can find (and carry) the material
you need, it's worth having options to hand - even if you don't end up using all of them on the day.

Pre-interview tasks

Depending on your course, you might be given a task to complete before your interview.

This is particularly common if you're applying to a vocational course that isn't directly related to your
undergraduate degree. In these cases, a practical task helps those in charge of admissions to check that
you have the appropriate skills.

For example, if you apply to do a Masters in Journalism after doing a Bachelors in History, you might be
asked to write a short article to showcase your writing.

Find out well in advance whether you're required to carry out a pre-interview task. If you are, be sure
toallow yourself plenty of time to complete it to a high standard.

Interviews for postgraduate study abroad

This page offers general advice on postgraduate interviews in the UK and elsewhere, but it's worth
checking if their are any specific procedures or requirements in the country you're planning to study in.
You can do that using our guides to postgraduate study abroad.

Example interview questions

Whatever structure your interview takes, it is likely that you'll be asked a number of questions regarding
your academic interests, and why you want to do a Masters degree.
These are a few of common questions you might be asked at your interview:

Tell us a bit about yourself

There's no need to give interviewers your life story, but do use this question as an opportunity to give a
bit of background information such as where you studied as an undergraduate, and what your main
interests are.

Presume your interviewers haven't memorised your CV (they probably haven't), and make sure you fill
them in on your key achievements.

Why have you chosen this course?

If you've been offered an interview, chances are your prospective university thinks you have the
technical or academic ability to complete a Masters course.

Now you need to prove above all else that you have the passion and the drive to see it through, and to
do it well.

This type of question gives you the opportunity to show interviewers that you're head-over-heels about
the course you're applying to do.

Be specific. Perhaps you're keen on the course because of the particular expertise of the course
convenor, or maybe you're particularly drawn to a certain module the course offers.

Why have you chosen this university?

There's no need to lie when answering this question. That said, the great nightlife or cheap price of a
pint probably aren't the best things to list. Just be honest about what drew you to apply, whether it was
the course's excellent pass rates, or the university's avant-garde facilities.

If you studied at the university as an undergraduate, mention that you enjoyed your time there , but try
to focus on the specific things that the university will offer, or continue to offer you as a postgraduate
student.

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

Universities are keen to produce high-achieving students, so when answering a question about your
future, try to show that you have the potential to do something that will benefit society.

Your interviewer isn't going to track you down in five years and make sure you've fulfilled your
prediction, so your answer doesn't have to be set in stone. Equally, a vague answer like 'get a job so I
can earn some money' isn't going to make you seem very forward-thinking or driven.

Your answer should be relevant to the course and be something that would benefit from a Masters
degree. (If it isn't, perhaps you shouldn't be doing a Masters anyway.?

Offer a firm idea of where you would like to be in the future, whether that be doing a PhD or employed
in your dream-role. Be realistic, but set your sights high and show that you have ambition.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is an opportunity to tell your interviewer all the personal strengths that will help you to excel in the
course you're applying for. Rather than dropping in your sporting prowess or musical ability, try to stick
things that will really help you in your Masters degree, such as your creativity or timekeeping.

Personal weaknesses can be difficult to discuss without genuinely making yourself sound like a terrible
candidate, or resorting to the 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist' cliché, which should be avoided at all cost.

Instead, think of something you've genuinely struggled with in the past, such as organisation, or
referencing. Be sure to show that you're taking steps to combat your weakness, or that you have already
improved in this area.

Have you applied for funding?

Tutors might be keen to find out whether you've already applied for or secured Masters funding.

It's a good idea to have a think about how you intend to fund your Masters before you attend an
interview.

Have you applied anywhere else?

This isn't a trick question. Universities aren't going to discard your application just because you've
applied to other institutions. Remember: universities need applicants just as much as applicants need
universities.

When answering this question, it is best to be honest. If anything, the fact that you're attending an
interview at this university, having considered others, will make you look more desirable.

Getting the most out of your interview

Masters interviews are your opportunity to show prospective universities that you have what it takes to
excel as a postgraduate.

But it's important that you also take time to work out whether you feel the course is right for you.

There are a few things you can do, to make sure you really get the most out of your interview.

Take a tour of the department

If your application is successful, you could be about to spend a whole lot of time in one department.

Your interview could be the perfect time for you to take a look at what the faculty has to offer. This
could be anything from the specialist equipment and study spaces available, to vending machines and
the nearest kettle.

Ask questions

This is your opportunity to find out absolutely everything there is to know about the course you are set
to devote yourself to for at least the next year. So use it well.

Maybe you're keen to know if there are any books you should buy in advance of the course, or what
percentage of students achieve top results.

Be polite, but don't be afraid to ask anything you are unsure about.

Speak to current students

Interviewers are bound to give you a positive impression of their course and department (if they don't,
there is probably something very wrong).

For a balanced, unbiased opinion, try speaking to some current students. Ask about what they've
enjoyed, what they've found challenging, and any advice they would give to someone new to the
course.

Tour the campus

The general university might not be as important to you as the particular department you wish to study
in.

But taking a tour of the libraries and study spaces could help you to relax before your interview, and
show you what facilities are available across the campus.

What to expect after your interview

Some interviewers may offer places as soon as an interview is over. In other cases however, you may
have to wait for some time before hearing back by phone, letter, or email.

Don't be disheartened if you don't hear back for a while.

Masters courses are generally smaller in size than undergraduate courses. As they can only take on a
finite number of students, interviewers may wish to wait until they have seen the majority of candidates
before offering places.

For more information on the process of applying to a Masters course, take a look at our guide to
applying for a Masters. You can also visit our postgraduate forum, where you can chat to other
prospective students about managing Masters interviews.