I completed my Master’s degree for free and received a monthly stipend! My two younger sisters also secured full funding for their PhD and Master’s programs. I studied at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, while my sisters are at Brown University and Purdue University.

You might think that only exceptionally smart individuals qualify for graduate funding, but “smart” can mean different things. Success in academia isn’t solely about innate intelligence; it’s about having the right qualities and actively seeking professors willing to take you as their graduate student. If a professor is interested in you, funding is likely to follow.

These are basic steps I followed and you can too

1. To qualify for a graduate degree program, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Focus on attaining that first.

2. If you’re early in your bachelor’s program and not performing well academically, don’t dwell on your past grades. Concentrate on improving from this point forward. Trust me, you’ll be just fine even if your grades have been low so far.

3. If you’ve completed more than half of your credits but are still below average, that’s okay. Keep pushing through and believe in your ability to succeed. If you feel inadequate about pursuing higher studies, take a moment to reassess. You can catch up! Focus on your remaining credits and give your best effort to your final year project—it may not drastically improve your GPA, but it will provide an advantage.

4. While you’re studying, make an effort to connect with professors, especially if you find their work interesting. Express your desire to get involved in their projects. This engagement will enhance your CV when you apply for graduate programs or jobs, and it can also lead to valuable recommendations.

5. Build friendly relationships with a few professors to secure recommendations later on. Aim to have at least three recommendations. This doesn’t mean you should flatter them insincerely; rather, share your interests and let them know you might need a recommendation. Ask if they have any short-term projects you could assist with, or discuss your ideas for potential projects.

Once you’ve completed your undergraduate program, the real work begins. You can choose to work first if you prefer. However, if you want to enroll in a graduate program with full funding right away, here are the steps to follow:

1. Compile a list of universities you wish to apply to. Do not apply for a program through their website yet. You need to first look for a professor you want to work with.

2. Review the faculty lists in your desired departments and identify suitable professors in your fields of interest.

3. Explore the personal websites or university pages of these faculty members. Take brief notes on their current research, including the abstracts of their notable published papers. Jot down your thoughts or opinions on their work.

4. Reach out to them via email to express your interest in their work and how you can contribute to their projects. Inquire if they are accepting graduate students.

By the way, you can start the above steps even in your final semester if can cope.

These steps apply even if you choose to work for a while. Keep in mind that, much like a job search, you may not receive a response to your first email. Be prepared to send multiple emails to various professors before you receive that one valuable reply! In the meantime, while you await a response, consider working on projects or staying updated on the latest research in your desired field.

Think of this process like planting seeds in a garden. It may take time for those seeds to sprout, but with nurturing and persistence, you’ll soon see your efforts blossom into exciting opportunities. Happy planting! 🌱✨

As a reminder, Allah says in the Quran: “O People who Believe! Seek help from patience and prayer; indeed, Allah is with those who patiently endure” [2:55]. Patience and prayer are essential, too!