QS MBA Community Scholarship: 2020 Winner Cindy Huang

We’re pleased to announce that one of the winners of this year’s QS MBA Community scholarship is Cindy Huang.

The scholarship is awarded to five students annually, with each receiving an award of US$2,000. Recipients must attend a QS event, start their first year of MBA study in the next academic year, and the scholarship must go towards tuition fees.

We caught up with Cindy to learn more about the impact this scholarship will have on her studies, as well as her top tips for future scholarship applicants.

What are you planning to study, and why did you choose the school you’ve applied to?

I will be pursuing my MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. I chose Stanford for a number of reasons. For one, Stanford offers an immense amount of resources in my intended career path in the technology sector. There are classes, clubs, an extensive alumni network, and cross-functional collaboration with the broader Stanford University community that will allow me to immerse myself in this field and subsequently learn how to be a better leader in the industry.

Furthermore, I align with the Stanford GSB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by creating inclusive spaces for its members to learn with each other and celebrate the power of diversity

What do you hope to gain from your degree? How will it affect your career plans?

I hope to develop a deeper understanding of product strategy, particularly in scaling new enterprises in emerging markets. I also hope to participate in the GSB’s global experiences in order to build on my passion and understanding of international business.

Most of all, I am looking forward to learning interpersonal and leadership skills through Stanford’s unique experiential learning style. I plan to go into product management after graduation, so learning and practicing the technical acumen and leadership skills in the classroom and in company projects will be crucial to my success in the workplace.

How did you find the scholarship application process?

I found the QS scholarship application process to be relatively straightforward. It was a great exercise for me to reflect on the impact I’ve made on my own community and how I can scale that up to broader circles in the future.

I looked for financial aid from all types of sources (scholarships, loans, school specific financial aid, etc.). I would advise all students research and apply for scholarships, as there is really no harm in applying for scholarships that you are qualified for.

What difference will this scholarship make to you?

The QS scholarship will help me offset the financial burden of attending graduate school. Without this scholarship, I would definitely be under more financial stress, so I am very grateful for the wonderful opportunity. With a reduced financial burden, I will be able to focus my energy on making the most of my MBA experience and reaching my goals.

What advice do you have for other prospective students who are applying for scholarships?

Be authentic when telling your story and take time to think through the application. Don’t try to craft a narrative that fits what you think the selection committee wants to hear, but truly dig deep into your passions and write from the heart.

I would advise students to be intentional in their research and apply for scholarships that fit their qualifications instead of trying to apply for as many as possible. Make sure to detail why you are qualified for the scholarship and that it’s not just a copied and pasted essay across multiple applications. Submitting a few well put together applications is better than applying to many with a generic application.