Hello, fellow students and enthusiasts! I’m Ananya, a passionate student currently pursuing my B.Tech at IIEST Shibpur. Technology has always been a driving force in my life, igniting my curiosity and fueling my aspirations. Today, I am excited to share my incredible journey with the Google APAC Generation She Scholarship- from being a hesitant individual to becoming a GGS scholar.
The Generation Google Scholarship for women in computer science is a remarkable initiative aimed at supporting and fostering the talents of female students pursuing degrees in the field of computer science. Established with the vision to promote diversity and inclusivity in technology, this scholarship seeks to empower young women to become leaders and innovators in the ever-evolving tech landscape. You can learn more about it on the website.
Sharing the Experience:
The application form is the most important part of the GGS scholarship process and it opens around April. You need to be authentic and original to stand out from the crowd. Don’t rely on any AI tools to write your essays. Be yourself, be creative, and be different. I spent 3 to 4 days on each essay question, trying to showcase my soft skills through them. I also worked hard on my resume. I cried a river when I didn’t get an interview call for the Google Step internship and I decided to improve my resume. When I applied for the GGS scholarship in the 4th semester, I had 2 or 3 ongoing startup experiences. I also participated in 1 or 2 cohorts and some coding competitions from unstop, which were not very remarkable. I mentioned about every small contribution while applying. GGS focuses on your coding skills, your experiences, and your volunteering work towards the tech community. I had mentioned the Microsoft students ambassador as a part of my volunteering experience.
Second phase:
The Next Phase: Moving to Prefinal Round Following the initial application, I received a second email notifying me that I had advanced to the Prefinal Round. This phase required me to tackle a new set of questions, marking a crucial stage in the application process. The questions delved deeper into my experiences, aspirations, and the unique perspective I brought to computer science.
The Verdict:
After eagerly awaiting the outcome, I was thrilled to learn that I had been selected for the Generation Google Scholarship. The news came with an additional cause for celebration — a generous grant of 2500 USD. Receiving such a substantial amount in one go was not just a financial boost but also boosted my self-confidence. Being designated as a GGS scholar brought a sense of gratitude, knowing that I was now part of a community that championed diversity and excellence in technology.
In my particular year, the selection process did not involve an interview round. However, I remained mentally prepared for the possibility of facing one, as the process may vary in subsequent years. For those anticipating an interview, it’s advisable to be ready for a mix of basic behavioral questions and coding inquiries ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Though my experience skipped this phase, future applicants need to approach interviews with confidence and a solid understanding of their achievements and aspirations in the field.
They also handed out some cool swags.
I am willing to help anyone by reviewing your doubts during the application process. You can simply reach out to me via email or LinkedIn.
