QS Undergraduate Scholarship: 2020 Winner

We’re pleased to announce that the winner of this year’s QS Undergraduate Scholarship is Zara Salman. The scholarship, first awarded in 2017, awards up to US$10,000 to one student starting their first year of a bachelor’s degree at any QS-ranked university.

We caught up with Zara to find out more about her study plans and to learn her tips for a successful scholarship application.

What are you planning to study, and why did you choose the university you’ve applied to?

I am planning to obtain a joint degree in political science and economics at the University of Chicago. I chose the University of Chicago because of the school’s unique approach to learning, ranging from their socratic teaching style, to the use of primary texts in lieu of textbooks in classes.

Moreover, the University of Chicago offers many resources for career planning that will open up avenues for my future.

What do you hope to gain from your degree? How will it affect your career plans?

First and foremost, I hope that a University of Chicago degree will grant me a both global and well-rounded perspective. More concretely, I hope to gain a better understanding of society through a degree in politics and economics to gain a strong foundation for a future law degree.

How did you find the scholarship application process? How many sources of financial aid did you approach?

The scholarship application process with QS was extremely straightforward and accessible. I learned about the scholarship through research, and by keeping up with QS information such as QS rankings and QS events. While I searched for other financial aid options outside my university, I found that few were open to international students.

What difference will this scholarship make to you? How would your plans have differed without this financial support?

This scholarship will greatly help my family manage both mine and my sister’s education. Without this scholarship, I would have had to work during the school year and use my own and most of my parents’ savings to afford university. With this scholarship, I am able to go to the university of my choice, focus on my education while there, and leave options open for my siblings.

What advice do you have for other prospective students who are applying for scholarships?

You never know what opportunities you can find if you look for them. You should definitely apply for a QS scholarship, as well! The application process is much simpler in comparison to other scholarships, and the aid is life-changing. Thank you, QS!