How to Crack a Scholarship Interview: Lessons from Regzin, an Intuit Rise Scholar

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom,” said Thomas Jefferson, and few scholarship aspirants embody that as clearly as Regzin did in her interview. Ask any scholarship panel what separates a forgettable interview from a winning one, and the answer often comes down to exactly this: honesty, delivered with clarity and confidence. That is the approach Regzin used to clear a two-round interview process for the Intuit Rise Girl Child Empowerment Program. 

If you have been wondering how to crack a scholarship interview, her experience offers a practical answer. In this candid conversation, she breaks down exactly how she prepared, what she said, and why it worked, a roadmap worth borrowing for anyone gearing up for their own scholarship interview.

Getting Shortlisted and the Scholarship Interview Format 

Buddy4Study: How did you first find out that you had been shortlisted for the scholarship interview?

Regzin: My landlord bhaiya told me about the opportunity and helped me fill out the scholarship form on the Buddy4Study platform. After I applied, I received a phone call informing me that I had been shortlisted and that I would also need to complete a separate video interview.

Buddy4Study: What was the interview format, and how long did it take?

Regzin: There were two parts. First, a video interview through the Buddy4Study mobile app, recorded one question at a time, which took over half an hour. After that, a representative called me directly, and that conversation lasted about 20 to 30 minutes.

Scholarship Interview Preparation Tips: Language, Confidence and Honesty

Buddy4Study: In which language did you give the interview? How did you prepare for that?

Regzin: I’m not very fluent in English. When doing the video interview, I wrote down line-by-line notes for every answer, memorised them, and recorded it in English. For the phone interview, though, I preferred speaking in a mix of Hindi and English. Through it all, my confidence was the one constant thing.

Buddy4Study: Many students hesitate to talk about financial hardship. How did you approach that question?

Regzin: I felt a wave of hesitation at first, but I reminded myself that this was my only chance to speak from the heart. Back home in Ladakh, life is a constant struggle; families like mine survive solely on agriculture and unpredictable seasonal labour with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). As the eldest, I laid bare my reality exactly as it is, knowing that absolute honesty was my only path to finding the help I needed.

Buddy4Study: How important do you think body language and tone were during your video interview?

Regzin: First impressions and camera presence matter, so I started with a warm greeting and maintained a steady, engaging tone throughout. When it came to the questions, I didn’t mince words or try to manipulate the facts. My answers were direct, transparent, and rooted entirely in truth.

What It Takes to Crack a Scholarship Interview

Buddy4Study: What do you think was the single biggest factor that helped you crack the interview?

Regzin: Succeeding in a scholarship interview requires absolute honesty and strong presentation. But ultimately, marks are what set the foundation – academics come first, and financial need is secondary. Since applying, I’ve kept my scores above 70%. If you are strong academically and align well with the rest of the selection process, your chances of being awarded the scholarship multiply.

Buddy4Study: Is there anything you would prepare differently for a similar interview again?

Regzin: I would like to be more fluent in English, so I don’t need as much time to process my answers before speaking or take notes and memorise. Everything else – being honest, staying presentable, and keeping my marks up – I would keep exactly the same.

Life After the Scholarship

Buddy4Study: What has this scholarship meant for you and your education?

Regzin: It has genuinely lightened the load on my family. I’m able to cover my fees, pay part of my rent, and manage some of my daily expenses without adding pressure at home. This gives me space to work toward my goal of becoming an Assistant Professor in Economics.

Key Takeaways

• Be completely honest about your financial situation — the interviewer is trying to assess your genuine need, and clear, direct answers build credibility faster than vague or hesitant ones.
• Prepare your answers in advance if you’re not fluent in the interview language — writing and practising responses beforehand can help you speak with confidence, even in a language you’re less comfortable with.
• Pay attention to body language and tone, especially in video interviews — a warm greeting and a consistent, steady tone throughout the conversation leave a stronger impression than getting only the first answer right.
• Keep your academics consistent — strong, steady marks reinforce your credibility and can be just as important as how well you present your story.
• Don’t over-script your honesty — being direct about hardship, without exaggeration or hesitation, comes across as more genuine than a rehearsed narrative.
• Treat every round as equally important — whether it’s a quick phone call or a longer video interview, the same honesty and preparation should carry through both.

Inspired by Regzin’s journey? Explore scholarships that match your profile on Buddy4Study, apply with honesty and preparation, and you could be the next scholar whose story we feature.