GRADUATE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES: A PHARMACIST’S GUIDE

By Ben Nwogu

Pursuing postgraduate studies is an excellent way to advance your academic and professional career. I have observed, however, that many young pharmacists have not tapped into this amazing opportunity. This is largely due to a lack of knowledge about how to proceed, little or no financial means, or simply being put off by the seemingly daunting process. On the other hand, I understand that not everyone might be interested in obtaining an advanced degree, and that, in itself, does not make you less successful or valuable.

Helping people achieve their dreams of obtaining a graduate degree abroad is something I am deeply passionate about. As a result, I have always sought ways to inform and educate pharmacists, particularly those of us in our early career stages, about graduate school opportunities, how to tap into them, and bring us closer to our career goals and aspirations. In this piece, I shall attempt to provide, from personal experience, a useful guide for pharmacists who desire to pursue a graduate degree abroad as well as the requirements. It is important to note that the information provided here is adopted from a webinar I delivered a few weeks ago on a similar topic, convened by Pharm Austin Odibo under the aegis of PharmahubNG.

Here’s a bit about me: I hold a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy which I obtained from the University of Lagos. With the financial aid of the developing solutions scholarship, I acquired a master’s degree in public health, MPH, from the University of Nottingham. Currently, I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical outcomes research, policy, and economics.

This article will be structured using the format below:

• Selecting a program
• Choosing schools
• Scholarship opportunities
• Graduate school/ Scholarship requirements
• Admission/scholarship review process
• Ways to improve the quality of your application
• General information

1. Selecting a program

Choosing a program is the first step towards your journey to graduate school, as it sets the pace and gives you some form of direction. This seemingly simple idea of selecting a program might be challenging as not all of us have a clear picture of what we want to do after pharmacy school. Nonetheless, it is a hurdle you must cross. This may require hours, days, or even weeks to months of deep soul-searching, thinking about classes, laboratory sessions and lectures you enjoyed during your undergraduate days, and perhaps seeking counsel from mentors and senior colleagues before arriving at a decision. Regardless of how long it takes, your final choice has to be clearly defined; an area which piques your interest. You should also consider current and future trends in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry to guide you in choosing a graduate program that will be relevant both now and in the future.

2. Choosing schools
After you have decided which program(s) resonates with you, the next step is to search for schools offering such programs. Thankfully, this can be achieved by a simple Google search. Additional useful resources for school search include Peterson’s guide, US news, Times Higher Education, Niche.com etc
Many people have preferred countries where they would like to study, and this shapes their scope of school-searching, while others are not entirely picky. Rather, they are more interested in schools, regardless of country, that can fund their program of choice. And this leads me to the next point.

3. Funding/Scholarship opportunities
The availability of funding is a key consideration for graduate school, given that many young pharmacists do not have the financial capacity to fund themselves without reasonable financial support. Thankfully, there are several international scholarship opportunities you can leverage on. Below is a list of some common ones:

• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship (UK)
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (UK)
• Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarship (UK)/Teaching Assistantship positions (USA and Canada)
• Chevening Scholarship (UK)
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (Europe)
• MasterCard Foundation Scholarship (Global)
• Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (South Africa)
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (Global)
• Mext Scholarship (Japan)
• Hong Kong Postgraduate Fellowship (Hong Kong)
• Schwarzman Scholarship (China)
• Swedish Government Scholarship (Sweden)
• NNPC/Total International Postgraduate Scholarship (France)
• Pan African University Scholarship (Africa)
• DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
• AIMS Scholarship (Senegal)
• Developing Solution Masters Scholarship (UK)
• Cambridge-Gates Scholarship (UK)
• Wellcome Trust Scholarship (UK)
• Taiwan Government Scholarship (Taiwan)
• Australian Government Scholarship (Australia)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Scholarship (Saudi Arabia)
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Scholarship (Saudi Arabia)
• The Queen’s ACU Scholarship (Global)

This list was adopted, with little modification, from a LinkedIn post by Babajide Milton Macaulay.

4. Requirements
Depending on the school or funding agency, here are some of the student requirements for admission and scholarship consideration.

• Transcripts: Your academic transcript(s) is an important piece of document that is considered when reviewing your application. Many schools allow you to upload unofficial (e.g. student) copies of your transcript during the application process while some may require an official copy to be sent directly from your undergraduate university. Certain schools (for example, in the US) also accept transcript evaluation reports from independent bodies that assess educational credentials (e.g. WES). Be sure to check with each school/scholarship to know their transcript requirement. Meanwhile, as a golden rule, you should always have an electronic copy of your transcript, either student copy or otherwise, even before you start making any applications at all. It would save you a lot of stress.

• Degree certificate: This is another piece of document that you want to have in your archive. Although not as frequently requested as your transcript, it is always a good idea to obtain your certificate from your school as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. I understand that, in many Nigerian universities, it can take several weeks to complete clearance to be eligible to receive your certificate. You can save yourself the trouble by getting your certificate as quickly as you can, to avoid unfavourable delays.
• Essays: I know many people do not like hearing this part, but you simply cannot run away from it. As part of the admission requirements, several schools require students to write essays to prove that they are suitable candidates for admission (and funding). The most common one is the statement of purpose (otherwise known as personal statement or letter of motivation). This gives the reviewers their first, direct impression of who you are, and how well you fit into the program. It is, therefore, a very crucial component of your application and determines, to a great extent, if you would get into a program or not. You do not want to joke with it! In addition to this, scholarship boards, particularly in Europe may require students to provide additional essays to show financial need, leadership, and volunteer experience (e.g. Chevening and Commonwealth Shared), proposed developmental impacts on completing the program etc. In such instances, besides the regular school application, there is often a separate scholarship application that may require you to have secured an admission to the university before proceeding to apply for the scholarship. In other cases (e.g. in the US), the admission application itself is used for funding consideration.
  More importantly, ensure you invest a great deal of time and effort in drafting strong, compelling essays. In addition, do not leave it for later; start as early as possible as it can take weeks or even months of brainstorming, research, and countless editing and reviews before arriving at a commanding, foolproof essay. It may also be worthwhile to share your essays with reliable friends and senior colleagues, preferably in the same or related field, to critique your work in terms of grammar, structure, and content.
• Letters of recommendation: Application reviewers would want to learn about you from a third party to assess your academic and research ability, as well as your fit for the program. This is a pivotal component of your application and should be treated as such. Usually, schools request 2-3 letters of recommendation from people you have worked with, academically or in a professional setting. These letters should ideally come from lecturers who are familiar with you and can write rich, in-depth, and compelling references on your behalf. You can (and perhaps should) reach out to those that supervised you, for instance, during your undergraduate project, and your academic tutor (course adviser) in school whom you share a bond with. While academic recommendations should preferably come from professors, you should not be overly bothered about this, particularly if no professor knows you well enough to write convincingly about you. Professional recommendation from, say, your workplace is often acceptable as well, but I usually advise that at least two of the three letters should come from those in academia, excepted stated otherwise. This might also not be entirely applicable if, for instance, you are applying for a professional program such as an MBA. Notably, in Nigeria, getting recommendation letters can be a huge stumbling block especially when you intend to apply to several schools. It is not uncommon to have to constantly remind your recommenders before they do the needful. Therefore, you must inform them well ahead of time (at least one month). You could also have backup recommenders just in case someone is not forthcoming. Furthermore, it is not out of place to tell your recommenders what you would like to be included in these letters. Sometimes, they do not have a clear idea of how to compose one for you. It is also important to build a solid rapport in advance with prospective recommenders. You do not want to approach someone you have barely had any form of communication with for a very long time. Sadly, it is sometimes the case, but try to avoid this awkward situation if you can. When approaching someone to write a reference for you, be very open about your intentions. You should give them a brief overview of the program(s) and school(s) you would be applying to, so they are prepared and know what is expected of them. Preferably, this should be done in person; otherwise, an email correspondence is just fine.
• Standardized Tests
  GRE
  The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used by many graduate programs, primarily in the US, to evaluate the quantitative and verbal reasoning abilities of applicants, and perhaps assess their fitness for the program. If the US is your target, then this is one exam you should take very seriously as it could make or mar your application. Typically, students are advised to spend a minimum of 2-3 months to adequately prepare for the exam. While I understand that students vary considerably in their degree of smartness and academic rigour, I strongly advise you not to downplay this exam, regardless of your past academic achievements. Arguably, the exam is not exactly a test of how smart you are, but how well you can write the GRE. There are loads of materials to help you with your preparation. Give it your best shot; aim (and score) very high to have a more competitive application. However, you can choose to rewrite if you are not comfortable with your first attempt. This was my situation. I attempted the GRE twice, one month apart. Given that the Fall application deadline for most US schools is in December/January, you should take the exam early enough to give yourself ample time to focus on other aspects of your application, and to rewrite if need be. Although more and more programs are dropping the GRE, it is still widely used and held in high regard by many US graduate programs.
• TOEFL/IELTS
  This is also a vital but sometimes optional requirement, as a good number of schools waive it for applicants who have obtained a university degree from an English-speaking country, Nigeria inclusive. Although, certain schools have more stringent English language requirements; for instance, offering waivers only to students who have schooled in native English speaking countries such as the UK, US, and Australia. While IELTS/TOEFL may not be a mandatory requirement for certain school admissions, some scholarship bodies make it compulsory. For example, regardless of the university’s English requirement, Chevening (UK) requires applicants to provide IELTS scores at a certain stage during the screening process. Often, people ask me if they have to write TOEFL or IELTS to study abroad. My response is always, ‘it depends’, and it does depend on the English language requirement of the schools and scholarships you intend to apply to. I know a couple of people who sat for these exams simply because others were doing so or because someone advised them to, without having a solid intention. I often tell people to be purposeful and strategic when it comes to writing standardized English tests (i.e. know exactly why they are writing it) given its short-lived validity period (2 years).
• Contacting prospective supervisors: If you wish to pursue a research-based graduate program, certain schools (programs) might require you to first secure a supervisor. This practice is very common among Canadian schools, and other parts of Europe. If you intend to pursue a taught masters program that does not have a profound research component, you probably will not need to get a supervisor in advance. Although not all research-based programs make it compulsory for students to approach and obtain approval from a faculty member for supervision, it is strongly advised that you make contacts with potential supervisors as it might significantly improve your chances of getting into a program. Though not common, some programs have policies that frown at students mailing faculty members in advance. So be careful too. When contacting these faculty members, try to keep it brief (less is more). Concisely tell them about your background and research interests, how it aligns with theirs, and how you wish to work under their supervision. You may also pass a comment or two on aspects of their recent research you found fascinating, and what makes you a suitable candidate for them. Like I said earlier, do not over flog it! Keep it short, simple, and direct. Also, keep in mind you might receive unfavourable responses or even no response at all. Resist the urge to be put off; it’s all part of the game.
  Note: All Ph.D. programs are research-based, while Masters programs may or may not be.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  Your CV is one part of your application you should not neglect. More importantly, you should know that an academic CV differs considerably, in structure and content, from a résumé which is primarily used for professional job applications. Generally, a CV for academic purposes would require you to highlight your research interests, teaching and research experience, awards, publications, conference attendance, etc. A good way to learn how to develop yours is to check online for guidelines and samples. Below are links to some useful resources:
  https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cv-vs-resume-2058495
  https://zety.com/blog/cv-vs-resume-difference

Another excellent approach is to use LinkedIn to check the profiles of people in academia (graduate students and faculty members). Some append CVs to their profiles, which may give you an idea of what an academic CV should look like. However, don’t just consume everything you see online as not all information may be helpful to you. In essence, know what to take in and what to screen out.

• International passport
  You might or might not be needing at the early stage of your application, depending on the school or scholarship you are applying to. Nevertheless, I believe every adult should have an international passport regardless of whether you are applying to graduate school or not. There are notable, real-life anecdotes of how people have missed life-changing opportunities simply because they did not have a passport when needed. Moreover, it is often required as a means of identification for those wishing to take standardized tests.

5. The review process
The admission/scholarship review process is a holistic one that considers, among other factors, the applicant’s CGPA (transcript), standardized test scores (if applicable), recommendation letters, personal statement (and other essays), CV, and research experience. Indeed, there are certain elements you have no control over; for instance, you can’t do anything about your CGPA, except of course, you are still in school. However, factors under your direct influence such as GRE scores, personal statement, research experience, etc should be maximized. Besides these factors, the review committee may also consider diversity, budget allocation, available grants, candidate’s research interests, and the availability of supervisors in selecting a suitable candidate. To be honest, the selection process can be very complex and a little bit unpredictable as you may appear to tick all the boxes and still receive a rejection. I, therefore, share the belief that there is a somewhat inexplicable element to the review process; sometimes, you simply cannot find absolute answers to why certain decisions were made, either in your favour or otherwise. Regardless, you must do all within your capacity to ensure there are no loose nuts in your application.

6. Ways to improve your application
Beyond writing powerful, winning essays and smashing standardized tests (if applicable), here are three possible ways you can significantly strengthen your application.

• Research experience/internship
  Acquiring relevant research experience or enrolling for an internship program in line with your area of academic interest is a great way to boost your application. Admittedly, this often presents a challenge to those of us from this part of the world where we are not considerably exposed to research during our undergraduate study. Nonetheless, on your part, you should make a conscious effort to gain such experience through, for example, volunteering to work part-time with a researcher on a research project or seeking an internship in a local research laboratory. Additionally, this may enable you to publish a paper or two which would be a great plus to your profile. I understand that this does not come easy, but you should do all within your reach to strengthen this aspect of your application.
• Enrolling for suitable online courses
  Beyond acquiring knowledge and adding extra certifications to your repertoire of achievements, partaking in relevant online courses can make your application stand out. It gives reviewers the impression that you are actively seeking ways to develop yourself and they might find this very attractive. Also, enrolling for such courses presents an opportunity to network. During or after the course, you can send a message to the moderators, telling them what you enjoyed about the course, and it leads on from there. This might be particularly helpful in situations whereby the instructor is a faculty member in a school you wish to apply to. Personally, I have applied this technique and it led to setting up an interview (somewhat informal though) with a Prof in one of the schools which I eventually applied to. Also, in one of my Ph.D. interviews, the interviewer, glancing through my CV, asked about some online courses I took with the University of Washington. Surprisingly, she once worked in that same department and was curious about the courses I took with them. This is just one of the many ways relevant online courses may prove useful. There are numerous massive open online courses (MOOCs) platforms you can benefit from such as Coursera, EdX, Udemy, Udacity, futurelearn, etc. Asides these avenues, some universities independently offer certain short courses at a discount.
• Leadership, volunteering and extracurricular activities
  It is not unusual for admission committees and scholarship panels to assess applicants based on non-academic parameters. This may sometimes be the tie-breaker when faced with two or more equally strong applications. Bear in mind that some scholarship bodies such as Chevening give more consideration to work experience, volunteerism, networking, and leadership experience than academic activities. This shows that, sometimes, it goes beyond what your academic transcript says. Reviewers are also looking for students who are leaders and change agents, who will go on to become notable ambassadors of the school or scholarship body and transform their communities. Sadly, like many others, I did not know the relevance of these while I was in school. But the good news is that it’s not too late to start. You can begin small by simply volunteering for a local charity, supporting noble causes, and being more actively engaged in, say, YPG activities. You do not necessarily have to vie for executive positions. You can simply start by volunteering to join committees within the organization or something along those lines. For clarity, do not merely do these stuff just because of graduate school; rather, your motivation should be the person you will be transformed into, at the end of the day.

7. General information

• While I have attempted to provide a panoramic view of the graduate school application process, what I have presented here is by no means exhaustive and should not, in any way, take the place of independent research. If anything, it reinforces the need to do your due diligence. There are considerable niceties that exist across different schools and scholarship procedures. This, therefore, warrants the need to undertake a deep inquiry into understanding the dynamics, peculiarities, and specific requirements for various schools and funding platforms, in order to better position yourself for these opportunities.
• Apply to as many schools/scholarships as you can. The more, the merrier, and the better your chances. Do not place all your eggs in a single basket.
• Pursuing graduate school may be associated with a considerable financial cost, especially if you are making several applications. Be prepared! However, the joy and fulfilment derived after you have secured a funded offer(s) will completely disperse any concerns or worries you may have had over the amount of money spent.
• Surround yourself with people pursuing the same goal as you. The process can be demanding and sometimes, frustrating. You need a solid support system made up of like-minded individuals to motivate you, especially when the going gets tough.
• Reach out to past or current beneficiaries of scholarships you are interested in so that they can guide and counsel you appropriately. Many people owe their success stories to good guidance and mentorship.
• Pray about it. I do not intend to sound religious or spiritual here but as I noted earlier on, there are some inexplicable aspects of this process. Many times, you cannot confidently tell which application(s) will click. In my case, the school I least expected - because of its prestige and competitiveness - awarded me a funded offer while the other supposedly ‘safe schools’ rejected me. Therefore, when you have done your best and submitted your applications, hold on to who or whatever you believe in, and trust the process.

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