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A scholarship offers many possibilities - if you know how to use them (symbol picture)
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With 14,000 scholarship recipients, the German National Academic Foundation is the largest of the 13 so-called gifted support organizations and is neither party-affiliated nor religious. All schools can propose candidates. Those who have already started their studies can apply themselves.
Annabell Wähner, 25, knows how to get a scholarship from the Studienstiftung, even if you don't have a 1.0 average, and how to score points in job interviews in international development in Vienna.
The decision for the Studienstiftung
»I've always enjoyed learning.
But I never had a 1.0 average. "
»I've always enjoyed learning and I was enthusiastic about a wide variety of topics, from math to history.
But I didn't have a 1.0 cut.
When I received a letter from the German National Academic Foundation after graduating from high school, it said that my school had proposed me for a scholarship, I was therefore totally surprised.
Every year every school has a quota of students that it can propose for such a scholarship.
Usually the best of the year are selected, at least that's what I've heard.
Fortunately, that wasn't the case with me.
As in the application process later, it was about the overall package: I was always very committed, gave classmates free tutoring, took additional courses and worked in the school medical service.
It wasn't until later that I realized that that's what counted. "
The application process
“If you are suggested, you have up to three years to begin your studies and apply. To do this, I had to send the foundation my certificate, a formulated résumé and a completed application form, for example with questions about my interests, my role models, and my study and career aspirations. Then I received the invitation to a selection weekend in a youth hostel somewhere in Saxony.
On the first evening we were able to speak to two scholarship holders, so-called ambassadors.
That took some pressure off me, because I noticed that there are no supermen in the foundation, but just students: inside like me.
I have now also become an ambassador because I want to motivate others to apply for a scholarship.
I don't come from an academic household, my mother was a single parent and things weren't always easy.
Still, I'm studying and somehow I'm doing pretty well.
On Saturday, all applicants then had to give a seven-minute lecture, after which the six of us discussed it.
I talked about stem cell research and prenatal diagnostics.
At the lectures of the others, everything from self-driving cars to bee deaths to rural exodus was included.
In between I had two one-on-one conversations with one of the Foundation's commissioners.
It was mainly about me, my family, my hobbies and interests.
In the first conversation, however, the Lord also asked me what I would think of a certain current development in Great Britain.
Since I had had the exam phase in the two weeks before, I hadn't noticed anything.
I just said that and explained what context I suspected.
A few weeks later I got the approval. "
The scholarship
“In the beginning, a scholarship meant one thing above all for me: money.
All scholarship holders of the gifted support organizations receive a lump sum of 300 euros.
Since I am eligible for student loans, I also get roughly the same student loan rate.
I could use the money well.
During my bachelor's degree, I also spent a year abroad in South America, which was also financially supported.
In the meantime I know: The non-material support is much better.
I completed a three-week language course in Spain, attended summer academies in Switzerland and France and was even able to take part in some seminars on natural science topics.
I thought that was great because they don't have a lot of space in my social sciences degree, but I'm interested.
By the way: Scholarship holders have to submit a report every year in which they tell what happened in the past year during their studies and with them personally.
That may sound annoying - but I see it as a good chance to reflect on your own development.
I was able to apply for further funding for the master’s degree.
To do this, I had to submit a testimony again.
Since my grades were among the very best, I was also allowed to name two reviewers who were interviewed by the foundation. "
Conclusion
»The cool thing about the Studienstiftung is the high diversity of people, offers and topics.
I used to think that the lawyers and doctors children, this is a league, I will never belong there, no matter how good my performance is.
I now know a few of these children, I am part of a foundation with them and are well connected.
The exchange works and I've learned that I can trust myself. "
Transparency notice: The author herself received a scholarship from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the party-affiliated foundation of the CDU.