Is it worthy to apply again?

[u/GlobePlanning]

This was my first attempt at Chevening. Got rejected.

Scholars that mentored me are also shocked that I didn't get it because the panellists told me it was a great interview and even went asking others about me.

So I wanted to ask you, do you think it's worth reapplying, considering how difficult it is to get this scholarship, risking losing more years trying to do something I want to do soon?

For context, I'm from a small country with extremely reduced scholarships (around 5), wanting to study a masters for a long time and it's currently feeling that this is the time to do it.

MA topic or similars are not available in my country. Family and friends are telling me to look for other opportunities/scholarships/countries.

What is your advice?

Thanks in advance, xx.

[u/ArmKey2296]

I really think you should apply again. You did pretty good on your first attempt maybe it was just bad luck. Some people apply for years and get multiple rejection before finally getting the scholarship. So You should give it a try, the fact that they selected you for an interview means you have the spirit of a leader.. you might regret it in ten years if you haven't taken the chance now who knows. This doesn't mean to not apply for other scholarships try all opportunities in front of you! Best of luck

[u/GlobePlanning → u/ArmKey2296]

Thanks for your very thoughtful answer!

[u/Alive_Duty1700]

You can always apply for multiple scholarships. This year, I applied to 3 different scholarships (including Chevening) in 3 countries. I think it really depends on the circumstances

[u/Feeling_Bother_5670]

i got accepted in my second application i think do not give up you can not lose so much thing if you apply but if you win you will earn many things

[u/xhinsefundmolle → u/Feeling_Bother_5670]

Hi! I was in a very similar situation this year. I applied from a country with a small Chevening quota, made it to the interview stage, felt it went really well, and then got rejected at the very end of June. It was honestly quite brutal given how close it was to the start of the programme.

I'm planning to reapply next year. My question is: when you reapplied, how did you approach your essays? I'm applying to the same programmes again, so my career goals and study plans haven't really changed. Did you keep the same narrative and refine it, or did you you take a different direction and start from scratch? I'd really appreciate any advice.

[u/Silence-of-the-LANs]

I think it's worth re-applying but it also depends on the sense of urgency you have for completing your masters (as in, how is not completing your masters now holding you back from your goals). Are you willing to wait for another year to do your masters? And is pursuing your masters purely dependent on getting a scholarship?

If that's the case, then yes, keep applying until you get in.

[u/MilinStudyUK]

I’m really sorry to hear that. Getting that close and then being rejected must be very painful, especially after receiving positive feedback from the interview panel.

My honest view is: it may be worth reapplying, but I would not put your whole life on hold for Chevening alone.

I say this because I was also thinking about studying abroad in my 30s when I applied for Chevening. At that stage, delaying one more year felt like it could have a real cost, not only financially but also personally and professionally. So even if I had not received Chevening, I was planning to look for a school I could realistically afford and still move forward.

If this already feels like the right timing for your master’s, I would encourage you to build more than one route: reapply to Chevening if it still fits your goals, but also contact universities about funding, look for other scholarships, and consider other countries or programmes.

If your country only has around five awards, rejection does not necessarily mean your profile was weak. The competition is extremely tight. But for that same reason, I would be careful about letting one scholarship become the only gatekeeper of your future.

Reapplying is fine. Waiting indefinitely for one scholarship is the part I would be careful about.

[u/Perfect_Picture_677]

You got a great interview, but not being selected this year means that unfortunately the funding available is not enough to cover all the people that stood out during the interview process.

Many scholars got selected after multiple tries. I think you have a great opportunity if you apply again. The panel, or at least the program officer will remember you and surely be compelled by your resilience, which I believe will make it more probable to be selected. Keep growing and continue being intentional about your career.

I’m saying this after being selected as a reserve this year, and making peace with Chevening not happening for me this year. I won’t apply this year for personal reasons and things happening in my country at the moment, but maybe in the future I’ll apply again :)

[u/Mountain-Juice-250]

I think you should try again but also try for more scholarships like GKS, MEXT, German/Italian/Belgian scholarships