Ivy Mayende's $57,526 full scholarship

Congratulations to Ivy for receiving this full scholarship from the University of Oklahoma USA. She is a diligent student with a bright future ahead and it’s been a pleasure working with her to achieve these amazing results. Currently, Ivy is still finishing high school in Tanzania but has secured a scholarship offer to pursue her dream of studying finance and consulting to make an impact on global and local communities. Read on to hear from her:

How did you feel when you received the news that you got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oklahoma?

I felt great, especially because I know that there’s at least one university on my list that has given me full aid!

How did Think Forward support your journey? 

The passion project was the biggest thing for me. I feel like I had so much more to talk about during my university interviews because you showed me how to initiate one, and it also helped me figure out what I want to do as a career. 

What do you think made your application stand out?

I personally think it was my co-curriculars as well as my supplemental essays because they were very specific, and my passion project really helped a lot.

What was the most challenging part of the process, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part was getting my personal essay right because it was going to all my U.S. universities, so I really had to make it unique and personal while also answering the question within the word limit. I overcame this by seeking feedback on my essay from the Think Forward team while also maintaining my own personal voice.

What advice would you give to students preparing for their applications now?

✅ Do your uni research well (niche.com is your best friend)

✅ Start your essays early (even the supplements)

✅ Submit all your applications at once to get it out the way

What would you like parents to know about supporting their children through this journey?

Just be there for your children, especially when it comes to brainstorming ideas for their personal essay. I know my mum helped me a lot with this because she knows everything about me. 

What are you most excited to pursue at OU? (program, opportunities, career goals)

If I go to OU (I'm still yet to hear from my top choice university), I’m most excited to do finance and network with lots of people, especially because it’s in a good location. I want to get internships early on as well so I can build up my LinkedIn.