AFRICA | A brilliant Lady from OAU wins PhD scholarship to United States without masters degree, set to become a Doctor of Chemistry.
A brilliant Nigerian Lady named Esther Mosebolatan who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Southwest Nigeria won a full PhD scholarship to study in the United States without having a master’s degree.
Esther obtained her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a second-class upper grade at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Southwest Nigeria. She took to Twitter to celebrate her achievement of winning a scholarship.
She was awarded a fully funded PhD Scholarship to study in the United States with just a bachelor’s degree. Esther stated that the journey to winning the scholarship offer was filled with different challenges but she persevered through it all.
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Narrating her story, Esther said immediately after her final year examinations at OAU, she decided to apply for the Fall 2024 application cycle in the United States.
Esther said after she made the decision, she was advised to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) to boost her chances of admission but the examination fee was about $225, which her parents could not afford at the time.
Unable to afford the fee, Esther said they encouraged her to trust God and prepare for the exam. She said she prepared for the exam and fortunately, one of her distant cousins offered to pay for the exam.
She wrote the examination but her score was not favorable. Esther stated that since 80% of the schools she was applying to were waiving the GRE test, she decided to push through the application process without it.
She said she was very confident because she met all the requirements with hopes that by the first and second month of 2024, her admission offers would start rolling in.
However, it was a different story and unlike she expected, she started receiving rejection letters and not a single offer through the period.
She said her friends, who knew about her situation, were supportive and helpful and her parents began talking to her every day, praying with her to keep her from falling into depression.
A few weeks into February, Esther got an invitation for an interview from one of the schools she had applied to. Thrilled with the offer, she said she reached out immediately to her supervisor from OAU who helped her prepare a PowerPoint presentation.
She said she practiced with him many times to boost her confidence, as she was nervous yet hopeful. Finally, she got an admission offer from the school. Esther proceeded to apply for a visa but she was denied. She said she travelled back home sad but hopeful with plans to apply for the second time.
Realizing she was denied because she was nervous and stuttered while answering the visa officer’s questions, Esther said she built her confidence, approached many people, initiated conversations, and even taught a class with many adults.
She tried rescheduling her Visa Interview date but could not get a date until two months later because many students were applying too at that time. Finally, she was scheduled for the interview but it was postponed because of a nationwide protest.
On the day of the interview, Esther said she had to use the restroom twice due to anxiety but when it was her turn, she answered all her questions confidently and her visa got approved.
With her visa approved, Esther said she will be studying for a PhD in Chemistry at Southern Methodist University on a fully funded scholarship.
Esther said she is sharing her story not just for congratulations but to remind everyone that God’s role can never be excluded from our endeavors in life. She expressed her gratitude to everyone around her who encouraged, prayed, and never doubted her.
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