We Asked 4 MT Scholars How They Prepared for Their Interviews: Here’s What They Said

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, no matter how many times you’ve done them. Whether it’s for a scholarship, a job, or a place in graduate school, that mix of excitement and pressure is real. If you’re wondering what to expect, how to prepare, or whether you’re doing enough, you’re in the right place. Think of this as your interview buddy, here to help you walk into that conversation feeling prepared and confident. We spoke with four Michael Taiwo Scholars about how they prepared for their own interviews, what worked for them, and the lessons they wish every applicant knew beforehand. Their experiences are different, but together, they offer practical insights that can help you prepare for the best possible outcome. Let’s hear from them.

Perpetual (Prospective Graduate Student)

“God helped me to succeed. During my interview preparations, I sought possible questions from someone who had gone through the process before, and also listed questions I had obtained from webinars I attended. Then, I asked a friend to act like an interviewer while I gave my responses. Some comments I read on X assured me that it would be like a conversation, and I went with that mindset. During the interview, yes, I was a bit tense, but I tried to remind myself that this was a conversation. I paid attention so I could understand the questions being asked before giving a response, and whenever I didn’t hear a question correctly, I politely asked for it to be repeated. Sometimes, I also rephrased the question in the way I had understood it before responding.

Furthermore, I ensured that I owned my story, and that helped me express my passion and thoughts naturally instead of giving memorized responses. It is normal to be tense, but as the interview progressed, I maintained a smiling and jovial attitude. I advise that you pray (if you believe in spirituality), own your story so everything will be coherent, and treat the interview like a normal conversation you have with people during events or hangouts, except this time, the conversation is about your academics and plans.”

Scholar from Ghana (Incoming PhD Student in Finance, USA, Fall 2026)

“My preparation started by thoroughly researching the opportunity I was applying for. I read extensively about the programme to understand its mission, objectives, and what it expected from applicants. This helped me align my preparation with its core values. I also reached out to people who had been through the process before me to learn about their experiences and gather practical interview tips. In addition, I used online resources, particularly YouTube, to improve my interview skills, focusing on communication, confidence, composure, and how to answer questions naturally rather than memorizing responses. Start preparing early and believe in your story. Don’t underestimate the process; it can be extremely competitive, and in my experience, earning it was even more challenging than securing graduate school admission. Treat every stage with the seriousness it deserves.

For the aptitude test, practice consistently under timed conditions to improve both your speed and accuracy. For the interview, don’t try to give the ‘perfect’ answers or sound like someone else. Be authentic, know your application inside out, and be able to clearly explain your journey, your goals, and why you deserve it.

Most importantly, come prepared. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence allows your genuine self to shine through. At the end of the day, the panel is not looking for someone who has memorized answers; they want someone who is self-aware, honest, and has a clear sense of purpose. Luck may open the door, but thorough preparation is what helps you walk through it. One lesson I learned is to focus on your strengths instead of worrying too much about your weaknesses. During the interview, I stayed true to my story, answered every question honestly, and spoke from my real experiences and aspirations rather than trying to impress the panel with rehearsed answers. I believe what ultimately helped me succeed was my authenticity, thorough preparation, and a clear understanding of my goals and how the opportunity would help me achieve them.”

Prince (2026 Erasmus Mundus Scholar, Sweden)

“If there’s one thing I learned from going through an interview process, it’s this: preparation doesn’t just give you answers; it gives you confidence. The very first thing I did was reach out to senior colleagues who had successfully gone through it before. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when someone has already left you a map. They shared what the interview felt like, the kinds of questions to expect, and the little things they wished they had known beforehand. Next, I went back to every single document I had submitted: my application, essays, CV, everything. Interviewers often ask questions based on your application, so if you wrote it, you should know it. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget what they wrote a few weeks earlier.

Then came the famous interview question: ‘Tell me about yourself.’ I practiced this one over and over. Not because I wanted to sound rehearsed, but because I’m naturally not someone who enjoys talking about myself. If anything, I’m more likely to downplay my achievements than celebrate them. Learning to confidently tell my own story without apologizing for it was probably one of the most valuable parts of my preparation. Now for the part that sounds a little unconventional: I took a nap before the interview. Seriously. Instead of spending the final hour pacing around the room or trying to cram in more preparation, I slept. I woke up with a much clearer head, calmer nerves, and far more energy than I would have had if I had spent that hour overthinking every possible question. On the technical side, I didn’t leave anything to chance. I found a quiet, well-lit spot in the house, informed my family that I’d be in an interview (because nothing tests your composure like someone shouting your name halfway through a sentence), and tested my internet, camera, and microphone multiple times with my cousin. I even joined the meeting about five minutes early and waited to be admitted. Looking back, I think what helped me most wasn’t having the ‘perfect’ answers. It was knowing my story, being prepared for the basics, and creating an environment where I could show up as my best self. Breathe. Preparation gets you to the interview; composure helps you through it. Trust what you know, answer honestly, and remember that you earned your seat at the table. You have greatness in you; don’t disappoint yourself.”

Sherlock (Prospective PhD Student in Cancer Biology)

“Well, first off, I was grateful to God that I got the interview invite. Then I prayed about it. Afterwards, I went online to search for interview videos on YouTube. I watched a lot of them. I also did my own research thoroughly. Then I practiced with ChatGPT. I simulated what the interview could be, and this helped me a lot. Although my responses to ChatGPT’s questions took time because I was typing them one after the other, that process helped me organize my thoughts. Putting my answers into writing also helped me remember them. Lastly, I prayed some more, and I trusted God to grant me favour. During the aptitude test, one thing I did was skip questions I didn’t know initially and answer the ones I could. I wanted to answer as many questions as possible because of the time limit. When I was done, I went back to attempt the remaining questions.”

The best advice often comes from those who’ve walked the path before you. The interview can feel like a big hurdle, but you don’t have to walk into it alone. If you have a question, an interview tip, or an experience to share, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.