How much does scholarship matter?

Hi everyone,

I've currently been offered a scholarship for 2025 entry and have a second interview scheduled for a different scholarship. I'm wondering if I should bother with the second interview given that the terms of both offers are identical (should I get the second one). Given the additional effort I'd rather not worry about the other scholarship and I'm tempted to settle for the one I've got.

Would there be long-term effects to which scholarship I take up, and does this choice matter at all?

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Original post

by DonHealey

Hi everyone,
I've currently been offered a scholarship for 2025 entry and have a second interview scheduled for a different scholarship. I'm wondering if I should bother with the second interview given that the terms of both offers are identical (should I get the second one). Given the additional effort I'd rather not worry about the other scholarship and I'm tempted to settle for the one I've got.
Would there be long-term effects to which scholarship I take up, and does this choice matter at all?

It’s hard to say without knowing the actual scholarships your referring to but some scholarship carry a significant amount of prestige (like the Gates Cambridge) and will “look better” on a resume/potentially open more doors if you were to get a more prestigious one. It’s also worth looking into whether the scholarships offer different things (e.g., networking or training opportunities) and whether one feels more aligned with your future goals.

Is there any harm in doing the interview for the other scholarship? Do you have to accept the scholarship offer you currently have by a certain date? Even if you do, people will often accept a scholarship and then turn it down if something better comes along.

Without knowing what offers you have on the table, I think you could reach out to your supervisor or department and see if they have any advice. They might have information about the “prestige” of the two scholarships within your field and whether it’s worth pursuing the one you would need to interview for.

Ultimately, what you do during your studies is likely going to play a much larger role in your future success than which scholarship you end up securing/choosing. That said, I think it’s important to have all the facts about the specific scholarships you’re up for. You don’t want to look back in a year and regret not doing an interview.

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by DonHealey

Hi everyone,
I've currently been offered a scholarship for 2025 entry and have a second interview scheduled for a different scholarship. I'm wondering if I should bother with the second interview given that the terms of both offers are identical (should I get the second one). Given the additional effort I'd rather not worry about the other scholarship and I'm tempted to settle for the one I've got.
Would there be long-term effects to which scholarship I take up, and does this choice matter at all?

If you are awarded a scholarship, but don't take it up, it still lives on your CV as an award. So it depends what your current profile looks like and what your future plans are. If you are planning a career in academia, having another scholarship and financial award, for the sake of an interview, is probably a good thing. No-one will ever know what you didn't get awarded.

Reply 3

DonHealey

Original post

by threeportdrift

Very interesting, thanks! I’m just getting started and have little to nothing on my CV worth writing home about. I didn’t know that awards that I haven’t accepted can be on the CV anyway. I assumed it’s only once I’ve taken it up.