Phew! The long and intense application process is finally over. You’ve written your essays and submitted them, and thankfully, instead of a dreaded rejection letter (aka the love letter no one likes), you’ve received an interview invite. Congratulations! 🎉
I can only imagine the mix of emotions you’re feeling right now: excitement, anxiety, and a million thoughts racing through your mind:
💭 How do I prepare?
💭 What will they ask?
💭 How should I respond?
It’s completely normal to feel this way. In fact, your anxiety shows how much this opportunity means to you. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve received quite a few messages asking, “How do I prepare for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship interview?” So, I’ve put together seven common mistakes to avoid during your interview to help you stay confident and prepared. This is going to be a long read, so grab your popcorn 👀
1 . Thinking You Need a Completely Different Preparation Approach
One of the biggest misconceptions applicants have is believing that preparing for the interview requires an entirely new strategy. Wrong.
By making it to the interview stage, you’ve already proven yourself. Your essays stood out, your experiences were compelling, and the selection committee saw something special in you. This means the foundation of your preparation is already set; you just need to refine what you’ve already done and learn to communicate it even better.
Think of it like this: The interview is simply an opportunity to bring your essays to life.
So, instead of overhauling your approach, focus on:
✔️ Revisiting your essays and application materials
✔️ Identifying key experiences, values, and goals you want to highlight
✔️ Practicing how to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently (see no 3 below).
2. Underestimating the Power of Research
Just like your essay application, in-depth research is a game-changer. The same way you were told, “Never be a lazy applicant,” I’ll tell you now; never be a lazy interviewee!
Here’s how to take your research to the next level:
✅ Revisit your application notes. There were probably things you didn’t get to include in your essays due to word limits — now’s your chance to bring them up.
✅ Deep dive into the scholarship and university’s websites. There are tons of YouTube videos, blog posts, and interviews with scholars sharing their experiences. Explore the inner pages of your university’s and school’s website to understand its values, course modules, and especially extracurricular programs.
✅ Be intentional. Don’t just drop names of opportunities and societies within the university; research them well enough to understand how they align with your goals. Some of them have their dedicated YouTube channels and Instagram pages. During my interview, I mentioned my interest in specific university programs like Techstars Startup Weekend and PowerHerUp, organised by the Edinburgh Innovations team. These weren’t random choices, they were programs I genuinely wanted to participate in, and guess what? I’m involved in them now, and thankfully, they’ve turned out to be valuable experiences for me. Doing this level of specific research shows you’ve thought beyond just getting the scholarship.
🎯 Pro Tip: This isn’t just about knowing the basic facts about the scholarship body or the University that everyone can Google. Also, if you mention an opportunity or activity, ensure it’s something you genuinely plan to engage in. It’s obvious when you’re just saying things for the sake of it.
3. Forgetting the Power of the STAR Method
Another mistake candidates make is thinking the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is only for writing essays. Not true.
Using the STAR approach in your responses helps you:
✔️ Structure your answers clearly
✔️ Give concrete examples instead of vague responses
✔️ Showcase your impact in a way that resonates with the interviewers
For example, instead of saying:
“I have strong leadership skills.”
Use the STAR method:
“During my final year at university (Situation), I led a team of volunteers to organize a tech bootcamp for 25 students (Task). I handled logistics, secured sponsorships, and managed a team of 10 (Action), which resulted in 80% of attendees building their first coding project (Result).”
See the difference? It makes your response compelling, structured, and memorable.
4. Letting Anxiety Get the Best of You
Being nervous is natural, but don’t let it overpower your confidence. Remember: You’ve prepared, you have a powerful story to share, and you deserve to be here.
Here are ways I manage my anxiety before joining an interview:
🧘 Practice deep breathing exercises before the interview to calm your nerves.
📝 Turn the interview into a conversation. Instead of considering it as a typical question-and-answer interview, approach it as a meaningful discussion.
👂 Be an active listener. In group interviews, don’t just wait until it’s your turn to speak; engage with what others say when they are done or ask questions.
💡 Pro Tip: My interview last year wasn’t a one-on-one session. It was a group discussion with three other applicants. This wasn’t just about answering questions; it was about showing the applicant’s ability to engage in quality conversations, listen actively, and contribute meaningfully without dominating the discussion.
While being present, avoid:
❌ Monopolizing the conversation
❌ Cutting people off
❌ Rushing to speak without processing your thoughts
Instead:
✔ Take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering
✔ Transform the interview into a conversation rather than an interrogation
✔ Actively engage with other candidates through thoughtful follow-up questions.
✔ Build on what others say.
✔ Include your research findings naturally into responses; you have done the work, use those insights.
5. Have Backup Internet & Electricity
If you’re not living in Nigeria, you might not be able to relate to this 😅, but for my people back home, don’t let village people have their way (they won’t, don’t worry!). If you know you can’t rely on your electricity and internet provider, have a backup plan. Get a generator, multiple SIM cards, or, better still, find a coworking space with a stable connection.
I personally didn’t have to do this for my interview last year, but anytime I have an important meeting, I book a meeting/conference room for an hour at a coworking space near Berger. The good lighting makes me more visible, and the strong internet connection ensures a smooth interview. Whatever you do, don’t risk power outages (especially if your PC battery is weak) or network disruptions — this is too important.
6. Maintain a Good Composure
Since this is a video interview, your composure matters. Pay attention to:
✔ Your Dressing: Keep it modest and professional. You don’t have to wear a full suit (especially if there’s no electricity. Trust me, I learned this the hard way 🥹). I wore a suit for my interview, and the heat nearly finished me. I was this close to pulling out a hand fan mid-interview 😂. Don’t be like me.
✔ Body Language: Be courteous, smile, keep your camera on, and don’t move around while speaking. If you live with family or friends, inform them beforehand so there’s no background noise or someone randomly calling your name.
✔ No Reading From Notes: Do not read word for word from a book or your jottings. It’s obvious when candidates do this. Be natural and conversational.
✔ Mute When Necessary: If you’re not speaking, you can mute your mic to avoid background noise, but always keep your video on.
✔ Keep Water Close By: You might need a glass of water. This ensures you don’t move around.
Remember, If it’s a group interview like mine, engage with others, listen actively, don’t interrupt, and contribute meaningfully. It’s not just about your answers but also how well you interact.
7. Climate Change Awareness & Leadership
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh places a strong emphasis on sustainability and climate change (research what your scholarship body and university are deeply interested in). Transformational Leadership doesn’t mean you must have founded a startup or social enterprise. So, if you have experience in leadership, volunteering, or climate-change-related initiatives, don’t forget to include them in your responses.
Note: You don’t have to force your research findings into every answer, but use it to illustrate your points when relevant. For example, if you’re asked about a challenge you’ve overcome, you could mention a leadership role where you worked on a sustainable project or mobilized people for a cause. This shows that your impact goes beyond personal achievements; it extends to creating meaningful change.
Last Tip: Post-Interview Etiquette
This isn’t a mistake, but it’s something I encourage:
Connect with your fellow interviewees on LinkedIn. You never know; you might become good friends before arriving in Edinburgh (all things being equal). If you’re in the same country, you might need to prep together for visa applications, tuberculosis tests, or IELTS tests (not everyone needs these, but you’ll be informed ahead of time if required).
Final Thoughts…
One thing I absolutely love about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team at the University of Edinburgh is their support. They’ll provide additional resource links particular to your course in your interview invite, read them carefully! These insights I’ve shared, combined with the official resources, will set you up for success.
I hope this guide helps you feel confident and relaxed during your interview. Remember, stay authentic to your story and use these tips as guidelines, not rigid rules. With the right preparation, you’ll enjoy the interview like I did and — God willing — receive great news in the coming months. 🎉
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out via LinkedIn. See you in Edinburgh! 😉
Disclaimer:
These are my personal thoughts based on reflections from my interview last year and should not be considered official advice from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program or the University of Edinburgh. These preparations and strategies worked for me, and they helped me secure offers from the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh, Erasmus Mundus, and the University of Essex.
That said, in doing your research, you’ll be able to validate whether any of the 7 tips I’ve shared makes sense. Best of luck! 🚀
P.S. If you found this helpful, share the link with others who might benefit from it 😁🚀