Your roadmap to Generation Google Scholarship
Being a previous Generation Google Scholar, here are a few takeaways for you from my experience with this program.
But first, here is all that you are privileged to get if you become a scholar:
- A congratulatory email saying that you have been selected for the scholarship.
- Depending on your region, you get a scholarship amount Eg. for the 2022–2023 school year, it’s $1,000 USD for the APAC region, 7,000 EUR for the EMEA region, $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US), or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada).
- You get to meet and connect all the other scholars of your region at a scholar’s retreat hosted by Google for 2 days [For us it was online, given the pandemic, however usually it’s on their campus]. During that time, they hold sessions. [For us, they were aimed at building confidence in yourself, personal development, and growth]
- You get a bundle of Schwags … these are the ones I had received: https://bit.ly/generation-google-schwags
Now that should get you pretty hyped up. So let’s answer the main question:
What exactly is it?
Generation Google Scholarship: for Women in computer science was established to help students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field. ….
Generation Google Scholarship: for Women in computer science will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, innovation and academic performance.
~ https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships/generation-google-scholarship-apac/
That is pretty much self-explanatory. Here is the main part. It’s an annual program by Google and this year, the deadline is December 10, 2021.
But before you fill in the form for that, let’s check out if this is something that you can apply to or not.
The eligibility criteria
- Be currently enrolled as a full-time student in a Bachelor’s degree for the 2021–2022 academic year
- Be in your 2nd year of study at an accredited university in your region when completing the scholarship program
- Be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Demonstrate a strong academic record
- Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a passion for improving the representation of underrepresented groups in computer science and technology
So now if this is not for you, don’t fret. Here are the 2 things you can do:
- Because Google has a lot of other programs lined up where you can apply, check out https://careers.google.com/students/ and keep a lookout for opportunities there.
- Share this blog to those whom you think are applicable for this opportunity :) Let’s help out each other here.
Now that you know if you are eligible for this or not, here is the crux of this blog.
A simple 3 step process for applying
Step 1: Completing the online application
The following are the different sections in your application
- Add your general background information (e.g. contact information and details about your current and intended universities)
- Add a pdf copy of your resume/CV
- Mention your technical projects and participation in community engagement
- Mention your skillset and how you have used it for improving the lives of people around you
- Do include your education, past achievements, leadership, and work experiences as well
- Make sure you don’t include things that are not true
- Add a pdf copy of your academic transcripts
- Add a pdf copy of your responses to 2 short essay questions [in English and in about 400 words each]
This year (2021), these are the questions:
1) What is a significant challenge that you believe women in the tech industry face and how do you see yourself being part of the solution(s) to this challenge? Keep in mind that impact can happen in many ways and at different scales.
2) What impact would receive this scholarship have on your education? Describe any circumstances affecting your need for a scholarship and what educational goals this scholarship will enable you to accomplish.
- Convey the truth: be honest and write anecdotes from your life
- Stick to the word limit: ≤400 words each essay
- Make it unique: having your own stories portrayed in the essays will help you do so
Step 2: The Google Online Challenge
- The invitation to the challenge will be sent 5–7 working days post-application deadline
- There are 2 mini-challenges that are going to serve as an additional data point when they review your application.
- Total duration: 60 min
- Mini-Challenge #1: General Cognitive Ability (GCA) :
- Eligibility: Common for all candidates irrespective of the specialization
- Questions: logical reasoning and problem-solving questions
- Format: MCQs
- Duration: 30 min
- Preparation: practice problem-solving questions and basic mathematical problem solving
- Mini-Challenge #2: Role Related Knowledge (RRK) :
- Eligibility: after the first mini-challenge, you will be able to attempt this
- Questions: computer science fundamentals such as C Programming, C++, Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Fundamentals questions
- Format: MCQs
- Duration: 30 min
- Preparation: knowledge of the topics mentioned in the questions’ section
Step 3: A 15 minute “meet and greet”
This step is after you have been shortlisted after the challenge rounds. Last time, it was a 30 minutes session where they had asked general questions about me and about what I had written in my essay. The main point of these sessions is for them to know more about you. So fret not and just present yourself as you are.
This was the last step in your application process. After this is just waiting for the results which if are in your favour, you would get all the perks that this scholarship has to offer to you :)
In fact, this season you might also get to visit Google’s campus and meet all the other scholars there unlike ours which was a virtual retreat, though equally fun and engaging.
So now that you know all about the Scholarship, go ahead and apply here:
