ruiyeye:
Before i go into details about the workshop (for the final 10) and the application process, i think its fair to let you know ahead of time that i was unsuccessful with the actual BSG application. 6 people have confirmed that they received "success emails"... i will let AIG reveal their genders/nationalities (very talented blend)

...So i was selected as part of the top 10. The email came in 30 November. Imagine the anxiety on our whatsapp group when the emails dropped every 15mins and people confimed they had received an invite to the Workshop. We got to number 8 and there were 2 spots left. suddenly no more confirmations. The panic became real. Two days after, the last 2 people notified the group. 7 Nigerians, 3 Ghanaians. 5 males and 5 females. The 20+ of us who got interviewed stayed on the group.

December 8. The workshop. A BSG alum shared his expefience with us. That was really helpful, although he could not give as much details as we would have liked.
We also had a number of people explain how to prepare; CVs, personal statements and the policy brief (this was the most annoying document, might share my experienc). It took the entire day. The 10 of us fomed a great bond and we would go on to become friends - visiting one another, sharing government polices etc etc.

The policy brief is probably the hardest bit. I struggled with this for weeks. Not because i didn't know what to write, but because there was so much to write in terms of background (third world issues are not so similar to European /Western issues, you know!??!), facts and supporting argument. In hindsight, i should have focused on one major issue and built a very very compelling case around it. Next time, maybe?

For obvious reasons i cannot share every experience. But its IMPORTANT you begin to massage the ego of your referee. Satan enters people. Especially when you're close to greatness. Lol. Enough said on that matter.

There's also the issue of getting your application reviewed by as many people as possible. So, December was a little tough for me. I rushed my application amd got only one person to review. Bad idea. I should have settled down, shared with more people, rewritten and shared with some more people. In addition to having a lean review process, i was stubborn. At the time, i thought i was being self-confident. (If you make it through to the finals, you might hear a thing or two about me). Its probably the reason why i didn't get selected by BSG.

Deadline for application was early January (i dont remember the date). Oxford peomised to respond by 16 March. However, Between January and yesterday i received at least 6 emails from BSG/Oxford. I completed every survey and read through all "communications" with great disgust. Gimme my result, mba. It finally came in (for me at least) at 7:49pm, 12 March 2018, when i least expected...if you've applied for plenty jobs, you probably know the template regret email. People of God, na the template email. I posted the "news on the group". Silence.

About an hour later, the announcement of "got in!" Came in trickles. After 2hours we knew the final 6. Quick one: i correctly guessed 5 of the final 6 correctly. I was to be the 6th, in my mind. Lol.

They all deserve to be on the program. You will hear great things from each of them - i assure you. *Watch out for the ladies especially*

What you should consider if you ever make this/any other application (again):

Be prepared. Plan your essay/cv which you intend to sibmit to both AIG and BSG. Preparing days or weeks to the application will never help. If youre interested in public policy/service, you don't realise because there's a free scholarship. You demonstrate and prepare for an opportunity.

Be informed. Read nairaland well. Most importantly, read the BSG blog.

Always "loud" your achievement. Do not be fooled into thinking "modesty" will help you. Imagine youre in a race with 2,000 people with the same skill set as yourself. How do you stand out? Some might ask you to downplay real achievement. Who they help?

Volunteer/give back to community/be committed (somehow) to the public sector. I didnt really do this, but i had a secret weapon which slightly impressed AIG assessors. I can tell you about it, but I'd have to kill you

Select the right referees. Satan enters people. People can act like evil spirits. (I didnt have issues, but people can be wicked!)

...it is obviously disappointing that i will not be with friends in Oxford in september. However, i rest easy with the assurance that there are many roads which lead to the market. Beyond applying, give something back to the community.

P.S: when/if pix of the final 10 get published, look out for a guy standing behind everyone in dark glasses, without a tie. Just might be me

Hope this was helpful for those who will apply later in 2018. All the best.

Jstikal:


boss...just quickly wanna know if tfare were reimbursed for those that came from other states. thanks

luckyjacob:
pls will there be reimbursement of transport fare

idiahiseal:
Please add me to the whatsapp group for AIG scholarship. Got a mail few days ago. Am writing in port Harcourt. 08106441956

Vicrown:
The exam was ok (a lot of people), I live here in Lagos, so I left immediately after the exam. I wonder how many people will make the next stage!