Shyamasri, a first-generation student from a farming family in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, had applied for the Corteva Agriscience Scholarship Program through Buddy4Study while pursuing her MSc in Agriculture. Currently, she is working as a Development Apprentice at Pradhan NGO, Jharkhand.
In this conversation, she shares exactly how she prepared, what worked, what didn’t, and the one thing she would do differently.
Buddy4Study: When you were shortlisted, did you know in advance that there would be an interview round?
Shyamasri: No, I did not know about the interview in advance. I found out through email that I had been shortlisted. But what I remember is that there was a slot-booking step. I had to book a time for the telephonic call. That was the moment I realised: okay, there is going to be an interview, and I need to be ready for it.
Buddy4Study: What did you know about the interview format before going into it? How long it would be, who would be on the call, what areas it would cover?
Shyamasri: I did not have detailed information about the format beforehand. I knew it would be a telephonic interview, but I did not know exactly how long it would last or who would be asking the questions. That uncertainty was part of what made the preparation challenging – I had to prepare broadly rather than for something specific. I focused on the areas I felt were most likely to come up: my background, my financial situation, and my goals.
Buddy4Study: Once you knew an interview was coming, what was the very first thing you did to prepare?
Shyamasri: The very first thing I asked myself was: Why am I applying for this scholarship? And what exactly is my situation? Those two questions helped me figure out what I actually needed to say. I wanted to explain my financial situation clearly, not in a complicated way, but in a way the interviewer could easily understand. So I sharpened the specific points: what my difficulty was, what I needed, and how this scholarship would genuinely help me.
Buddy4Study: Did you look up common interview questions or reach out to anyone for guidance?
Shyamasri: Yes, I used Google and YouTube to look up the types of questions typically asked in scholarship interviews. I also spoke with my MSc mentor, who guided me on what interviewers usually look for – he explained that I would likely be asked about my future plans, academic goals, financial background, and aspirations. Additionally, a friend who had recently gone through the IELTS process also shared her experience, which gave me a better sense of the overall format and what to expect.
Buddy4Study: Did you write down your answers or do any kind of practice before the interview?
Shyamasri: I did not write out formal answers because I had exams and research work going on at the same time, so I had limited time. But about an hour before the call, I sat quietly and mentally went through my self-introduction and the key points I wanted to cover – my situation, my needs, and my goals. I did not memorise anything word for word. I just made sure I had clarity on what I wanted to say, so I could speak from understanding rather than recitation.
Buddy4Study: Talking about financial hardship or personal struggles in an interview can feel uncomfortable. How did you prepare yourself to speak about it?
Shyamasri: I did not approach it as something to be ashamed of or something to dress up. I told myself: this is just information the interviewer needs to understand my situation. My job is to explain it plainly and let them make their assessment. I framed it indirectly but clearly – describing my family background and specific difficulty, and then connecting it directly to why the scholarship would make a real difference. Removing the emotional weight from the preparation helped me speak more steadily on the call.
Buddy4Study: This was your first-ever interview. How nervous were you, and how did you manage it during the call?
Shyamasri: I was very nervous. It showed when I started speaking. But the interviewer was very supportive; they told me to calm down and that there was nothing to worry about. That helped me settle in. One thing I would say is that nervousness is okay. What matters is that you keep going. You pause, you breathe, and you carry on. The interviewer is not there to catch you out, they genuinely want to understand your situation.
Buddy4Study: Was there a moment during the interview where you felt stuck or caught off guard? How did you handle it?
Shyamasri: There were moments when I could feel myself getting emotional while explaining my financial background. It is one thing to prepare for a question in your head; it is another to actually say it out loud to a stranger. When that happened, I tried to pause briefly, collect myself, and continue. The interviewer did not interrupt or pressure me. I think the key is to not stop entirely – a brief pause is fine, but you have to find your way back to what you wanted to say.
Buddy4Study: If you were preparing for another scholarship interview today, what would you do differently?
Shyamasri: I would work specifically on my public speaking, on staying calmer while explaining my situation. When I talked about my financial condition during the interview, I got a little emotional, and that affected how clearly I could express myself. The content was honest and accurate, but I would want the delivery to be steadier next time, so that whoever is listening can follow everything without difficulty. Even practising out loud once or twice before the call would have helped.
Buddy4Study: What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a student who has just been shortlisted for a scholarship interview?
Shyamasri: Do not put any filter on your situation. Just place it in front of the interviewer as it is and explain it clearly. It is okay to feel emotional – a lot goes on in the mind during these moments. But try to stay calm and composed. You have to be confident and present. Answer what is asked, clearly and from the heart. Your situation is real. Trust that it is enough.
Key Takeaways
- Before anything else, answer two questions: why are you applying, and what exactly is your situation? Clarity on these two points is the foundation of every other answer you will give.
- Use what is around you. Google, YouTube, your college mentor, a friend with interview experience, your parents – none of this requires formal coaching. The goal is to understand the format and feel less unfamiliar before the call.
- You do not need a written script. A mental rehearsal of your self-introduction and your three core points – your situation, your need, and your goals – done a couple of hours before the call, is often enough.
- Prepare to speak your hardship out loud, not just think it or try to fabricate or hide. There is a real difference between knowing what to say and being able to say it calmly to a stranger. Practice speaking it at least once before the interview.
- Nervousness is expected. The interviewer knows it is likely your first time. Pause, breathe, and carry on. What matters is not that you were calm and confident, but that you kept going.
Like Shyamasri, you can turn your academic dreams into reality. Explore Buddy4Study today to find scholarships that fit your profile, apply with confidence, and watch for your story to be featured next!