Application Process for Generation Google Scholarship (Google Women Techmakers Scholarship)

From the day I received the phone call confirming my WTM Scholarship, many have been asking about the scholarship application process, tips and tricks. To all of them I’d like to summarize my scholarship journey in a single sentence:

Be sincere with your views!

This article would help you out if you’re an aspirant and would like to know more about the scholarship.

Personally, I am very honored and humbled to be selected as a Google Women Techmakers Scholar this year.

It is great to find someone who believes in you. Receiving this scholarship has given me a new air of confidence and empowerment.

I am very grateful for such an amazing opportunity. Thank you Google Women Techmakers!

What exactly is Google Women Techmakers Scholarship?

Through the Women Techmakers Scholars Program — formerly the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program — Google is furthering Dr. Anita Borg’s vision of creating gender equality in the field of computer science by encouraging women to excel in computing and technology and become active leaders and role models in the same.

The opportunity of a lifetime presents you with 3 amazing priceless gifts:

Scholarship

An academic scholarship, awarded based on academic performance, leadership, and impact on the community of women in tech. You can use this for the growth of technology in your community and push all those out there to come forward and demonstrate their skill sets and talents.

Retreat

An opportunity to connect with fellow scholars and Google mentors, while participating in professional and personal development trainings and workshops. This will definitely be an amazing experience as you get to meet a lot of passionate girls from various parts of the world and hear their diverse stories. Mark my words ladies :)

Community

An online network with fellow scholars program participants designed to share resources, support the global community of women in tech and collaborate on projects to make continued impact. Believe me this is something you’ll forever be grateful for!

Find about the past scholars here.

Eligibility

First check your eligibility and give it a go girl!

The eligibility for the scholarship awarded varies with regions:

1. United States and Canada
2. Europe, Middle East and Africa
3. Asia Pacific

Since I was the Asia Pacific scholar, I’d point down the eligibility requirements in brief:

• Identify as female
• Currently be enrolled at an accredited university for 2019–2020 the academic year
• All students graduating in 2020 and beyond are eligible to apply
• Be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
• Demonstrate a strong academic record
• Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for increasing the involvement of women in computer science

If you are eligible you can apply through Google Scholarships and Program application site.

You can find more about the Google Scholarships and programs here.

Application Process

Round 1: Essay

• The applicant should fill out basic information as part of the first step in Round 1.
• A resume has to be uploaded along with the applicant’s University transcripts.
• Then comes the essay part, which is the most crucial part of the application where the aspirant has to answer a number of questions which along with the resume and transcripts will reflect academic background and leadership skills. The questions are fabricated to extract the applicant’s passion for computer science, technical skills and involvement to promote women in computing and will serve as a deciding factor whether you deserve the scholarship. Details on how the questions have to be answered can be found here.

After answering the questions, submit the application and wait…!

Give yourself a pat on the shoulder as you did stay motivated all throughout the first phase. Kudos to you ;)

Round 2: Phone Interview

The second phase the application is a short phone interview where you can talk with a Googler. How cool is that! This would last for 20–30 minutes. This is also a good opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

Now I guess you can feel how important and amazing is WTM Scholarship :)

My interview with Googler is here.

With this the application process comes to an end and wait till you receive an email from the scholarship committee.

Tips

1. Actively participate and organize events or programs which will create an impact and support women in STEM.
2. Do something for women in technology. This can be taking part in a mentoring program to mentor a junior or a person you know informally to start in technological field.
3. Develop leadership qualities with a vision; Understand diversity & inclusion.
4. Work on projects that’d create a social impact especially on the underrepresented groups.
5. Make contributions that’d leave a mark :)
6. Do not underestimate your power to bring about changes even if it’s small.
7. Everyone has their own unique story and that is what makes each of us amazing and different. Show the world how amazing you are.
8. Try again next year — The best tip I can give ;)

I hope this blog will help you to get a basic understanding of the scholarship.

Give back either if you’re selected or not. You are a CS student! You have superpowers! Do something about it and give back to your community.

Testimony by my friend Katie Elizabeth in Google Students Facebook page.

Keep hustling and explore!

The scholarship retreat experience blog will be posted soon :)