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    The Webinar Series

    Our webinar series covers every aspect of the graduate application process and features panel discussions with leading African scholars worldwide. The webinars take place every two weeks on Zoom from May-September. Previous seminars have covered: scholarships and funding opportunities; strategies for taking standardized tests (GRE, TOEFL, etc.); advice for choosing universities and different career paths; and balancing family responsibilities with graduate studies.

    Participants must complete 3-4 practical assignments related to the application process. Assignments may include: compiling a list of scholarships; reaching out to potential recommendation letter writers; drafting application essays; and taking practice GRE exams. At the end of the webinars, participants may apply to be considered for the mentoring phase of the program. The completion and quality of all assignments, as well as the availability of suitable mentors, will determine selection for the mentoring phase. In 2020, 41 students advanced to the mentoring phase.


    The Mentoring Phase

    In the second phase of the program, GAIN matches each accepted participant to a suitable mentor. Mentors meet virtually with mentees every two weeks to support them in choosing programs of study, preparing application materials such as the CV and statement of purpose, and preparing for standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL. Matching between mentors and mentees is based on the field of study, professional experience, and personal background, e.g. country of origin. Our volunteer mentors are professors, researchers, and policy advisors at leading institutions worldwide with a passion for improving representation in the research community. During this stage, the GAIN leadership team offers additional support to mentors and mentees via monthly check-ins and ad-hoc troubleshooting.


    Financial Support

    GAIN offers financial support to cover the costs incurred in the application process, which may be prohibitive for prospective students from low-income countries. These include fees for a limited number of applications, standardized tests, and the submission of transcripts. Support is limited to students selected for the mentoring phase and is subject to funding availability. In 2020, GAIN supported 2 GRE exams and 8 applications for 25 students.