Graduate Pathways 101 – From Application to Admission

If you're considering graduate school in Canada or the U.S. but aren’t sure where to start, you're not alone—and you're not without help. Growth360 Ghana recently hosted a powerful and practical webinar that brought together graduate school alumni and scholarship recipients to share exactly how they did it—and how you can too.

From finding the right programs to securing fully funded scholarships, the speakers broke down the process with honesty, detail, and encouragement.

What the Webinar Covered

1. Demystifying the Graduate School Application Process
Applying to grad school is more than submitting documents—it’s a strategy. Speakers walked attendees through:

• How to identify programs that align with your career goals

• What to include in a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Motivation Letter

• How to approach professors for supervision in research-based programs

• The difference between applying to U.S. and Canadian schools

• Whether to apply for scholarships before or after gaining admission

Key takeaway: Start early, stay organized, and tailor every application to the specific program.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Funding Opportunities

Speaker Onyina offered a comprehensive overview of available funding options:

• Internal scholarships provided by universities

• External funding like the Erasmus Mundus scholarship

• Fellowships and assistantships (teaching or research roles that cover tuition and offer a stipend)
  
  

He stressed the importance of being proactive and using available resources to identify opportunities early.

Nene, a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, shared a powerful story of rejection, resilience, and eventual success. He reflected on his first unsuccessful application and the improvements he made to strengthen his candidacy, including enhancing his technical qualifications and refining his English proficiency. His story reminded attendees that failure is not the end—it’s part of the process.

Real Talk: Strategy Over Luck

Kingsford emphasized that applying to graduate school isn’t about luck—it’s about being strategic and intentional. He compared the process to preparing for admission to a top-tier university: every detail matters, and preparation is key.

Hannah, who applied to and studied in Canada, outlined three pillars that are crucial for success:

• Mental preparedness

• Financial planning

• Academic readiness

She advised applicants to only apply to Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) if they plan to work in Canada after graduation, as only these institutions qualify for post-graduate work permits.

Tools, Templates, and What’s Next

To help attendees put what they learned into action, the following resources will be shared with all registered participants:

• A graduate school comparison matrix based on Kingsford’s and Nene’s application strategies

• Nene’s personal Excel planning table

• Presentation slides from all speakers

• A curated list of application fee waiver links

• The official DLI website for Canadian schools

These materials will be distributed via email and uploaded to the Growth360 Ghana website. Attendees were also encouraged to connect with speakers on LinkedIn for further mentorship and networking.

Final Thoughts

The biggest lesson from the webinar? You don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Every speaker was once uncertain and overwhelmed. What set them apart was a commitment to research, preparation, and consistent action.

Stay connected with Growth360 Ghana for future webinars, fee waiver opportunities, and expert guidance on your path to graduate school.

Visit the official website and follow Growth360 Ghana on social media to access tools, updates, and upcoming events. This session was just the beginning—your journey to graduate success starts now.