Yes I was able to meet the deadline. Submitted like 15mins to the time. It was quite tough given the short time we got to write the essay.

for those who made it to the essay section, as anyone sent his/her transcript as requested. For me am yet to do that my sch ehen no small thing to get transcript. Like wise who has received message for the next stage

bjnice:
for those who made it to the essay section, as anyone sent his/her transcript as requested. For me am yet to do that my sch ehen no small thing to get transcript. Like wise who has received message for the next stage

Truly the transcript thing is tricky. Doubt anyone has received an email after the essays.

Just received a success mail

wow, can you screenshot it let see. still expecting likely message

ruiyeye:
Just received a success mail

Oh wow... I'm expectant.

ruiyeye:
Just received a success mail

screenshot it lets see

zera:

screenshot it lets see

Lol seeing a screenshot doesn't help in any way though...

Timikomo17:

Lol seeing a screenshot doesn't help in any way though...

It helps because I doubt if day at sent any success mail

zera:

It helps because I doubt if day at sent any success mail

Oh well, let’s see how it goes.

There are...its between 8am and 8pm on the 11th.

The weekend was very demanding. As advised in the email, the process held between 8am and about 7:30pm.

Everyone who submitted the essay should be proud that they made it that far. I understand that they read about 400 essays (this is after 7000+ applied, 2000+ wrote tests). I think the consensus was that all the essays/CVs were great. However, the requirement was to select only those that strongly aligned[b][/b] to the Initiative’s “goals”.

26 people were shortlisted for the panel interviews (of the circa 400 who submitted essays). 25 turned up for the interviews. Mostly Nigerians. 7 Ghanaians. 6 of the board members formed the panel. The approach was that you got interviewed by each assessor one-on-one. After the first interview, the subsequent interviews typically happened after every 50min interval (hence the almost 12hour round of interviews).

The assessors read ALL the essays and asked some seriously probing questions. I mean, all the applicants (7,000+ of us) are all suitably qualified, why should they take a gamble on any of us who made it to the interviews?

It was a great experience. The organisers are really serious about changing the public sector. IT IS NOT LIP SERVICE OR A PLOY TO GAIN CHEAP GOODWILL. They mean business. They were all on ground and spent good time assessing EVERYTHING (appearance, experience, CVs, essays…every other thing you can think of!)

that is good to hear? have they got in touch with u people

not yet. maybe this weekend (they hinted it'll take a week or two for feedback).

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.

Received a

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.

Thanks for this piece. The race for 2020 has just began.

Best of luck guys

Vicrown:
Essay writing no be beans o ...Going to stay up all night to come up with something worthwhile... Hope I don't sleep at work tomorrow morning

Hi, i just got invited for the test but i want to start preparing for everything it takes. Please help me with the following info:

1. How was the test like and what area the likely contents (verbal, abstract and the likes?)
2. Will the essay topic be provided by the scholarship board or i will need to come up with the topic myself. How many days do I have to submit the essay?
3. How many stages in total; and what are the stages like?

I will appreciate your response. Thanks

Vicrown:
I also received a call from the scholarship board for a session on Thursday. Good luck to us!

A session?
Please what does it entail?

I just got invited for the test but i want to start preparing for everything it takes. Please help me with the following info:

1. How was the test like and what area the likely contents (verbal, abstract and the likes?)
2. Will the essay topic be provided by the scholarship board or i will need to come up with the topic myself. How many days do I have to submit the essay?
3. How many stages in total; and what are the stages like?

I will appreciate your response. Thanks

Vicrown:
I was with these wonderful guys during the finally AIG interview and workshop for finalists. Unfortunately, there was space for only 5 out of 10 of us who applied to Oxford. I guess as a compensation I managed to secure another scholarship in LSE. I still have my eyes on Oxford though, AIG has started this year's selection process. Best of luck.

Sir, I just sent u a request to communicate. I will like to know more about the scholarship. Thanks

I'm in the process.... Let's roll!

Good evening please I also just got an invitation for AIG for the exam. Pls here is my email oluyoria@gmail.com because I will like to get more information about he exams and essay. THANKS and Good luck to us all. If there is a whatsapp group please let me know so i cn send my number. my centre is in Abuja on the 13th. I really need help to succeed

sholarsara:
Good evening please I also just got an invitation for AIG for the exam. Pls here is my email oluyoria@gmail.com because I will like to get more information about he exams and essay. THANKS and Good luck to us all. If there is a whatsapp group please let me know so i cn send my number. my centre is in Abuja on the 13th. I really need help to succeed

same here Abuja.

I have been shortlisted for AIG scholarship for 2019/2020 session.. Pls I really need help from you

Hello guys, I got an invite for the aptitude test. Please what are the areas I should focus. What are the questions like?
Anyone to help? Thanks

guys I was invited to take the test. I will need your help with study materials. my email address is Gabrielihemadu@gmail.com

You guys should read up the comment section from page 2. Am sure you will get virtually all the answers to your questions in respect to mode of questions, screening process and other vital information.

Good morning house, please I was shortlisted for the test too. Please help

FactualSpeech:


A session?
Please what does it entail?

I just got invited for the test but i want to start preparing for everything it takes. Please help me with the following info:

1. How was the test like and what area the likely contents (verbal, abstract and the likes?)
2. Will the essay topic be provided by the scholarship board or i will need to come up with the topic myself. How many days do I have to submit the essay?
3. How many stages in total; and what are the stages like?

I will appreciate your response. Thanks

Hi... I was shortlisted too. Can you reach me on this line please 07060926300

Good day. I was shortlisted for 2019-2020 AIG scholarship.

Any help in regards to areas to concentrate on, sectors/field will be greatly appreciated.
charlydailydaily@gmail.com
08026823548

I equally got the invitation for the test. However, I'm with the JKK centre in Lagos.

Having seen the need for us to coordinate and be of assistance to one another, I have created a Whatsapp group to help us connect better. Click on the link below to join the Whatsapp group:
https:///GtpXBOfkkeyKuuvgYLfgGD

We'd also be humbled and glad to have experienced applicants from previous years join us in the group to help facilitate and expedite our preparation process.

Best wishes.

Please add 07068771772 to the whatsapp group

Good day scholars. kindly follow this link to the watsapp group for AIG 2018 Schorlaship

https:///BCyi3KnwLLeJQFRr5EbFTq