INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FORUM (ISF)

We are moving…

: ISF Google Drive | : +2348162942400 | : @forum_isf | : @ForumISF

Tips on how to secure the prestigious American

University Cairo Scholarship
BY:

KATHIR, Afolabi
B.Sc: Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife..
M.Sc: Sustainable Development, American University Cairo.

ON

14th September, 2019

(08:00WAT)

Moderator: Scholar Kayode

Transmission Crew: Scholars Kenny, Halogen, Onyeka,
Semiu, Afeez, Etubi (Telegram)
Admin: ISFM Scholar Obasekore Hameed

1
 LECTURE AGENDA
1. ABOUT AUC, EGYPT
2. OPPORTUNITIES (FELLOWSHIPS) AT AUC?
3. AFRICAN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
4. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

ABOUT AUC, EGYPT

1) The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a 100-year old liberal arts university right at the center of the Arab world,
Egypt, popularly referred to as the cradle of civilization.
2) The university has undergone a number of transformations in the past decades which has in one way or the other
shaped its outstanding achievements in the academic work and has placed it foremost amongst its peers in the Arab
world.
3) Its far-reaching deliverance of academic cum research excellence, AUC is noted as the seat seasoned faculties, which
for many, offers unique research environment and innovative ideas stemming from the Arts to the Engineering and
cutting across the humanities, social sciences to the physical and biological sciences.
4) Eduniversal showcases AUC Master's Programs at the top in Africa and Among the Top 200 Worldwide.
5) Number one (No. 1) in Africa in: Executive Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Economics, Master of
Business Administration (Operations Management), Master of Global Affairs, Master of Science in Finance, Master of
Science in Sustainable Development (Green Technologies).
6) Number two (No. 2) in Africa in: Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Laws
(LLM) in International and Comparative Law, Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Electronics
and Communications Engineering.
7) Number three (No. 3) in Africa in: Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, Master of Engineering in
Electronics and Communications Engineering (Management of Technology).
8) The university attracts international students from more all countries around the world.
9) The university has alumni in more than 161 countries and currently accommodates students from more than 61
countries, making it one of the MENA universities most sought after by international students. Therefore, it's home
away from home.

OPPORTUNITIES (FELLOWSHIPS) AT AUC?

1) The university has a number of fellowships. These fellowships range from university-wide fellowships, to country-
based fellowships, situation-based fellowships as well as individual (personalities) based fellowships.
2) A fellowship is a form of scholarship with some form of give-backs. The give-backs can be in the form of: Teaching
Assistantship, Research Assistantship, Administrative Assistantship.

Types of Fellowships In AUC

• University-wide fellowships: Popularly, this is the African Graduate Fellowship (which I'm going to emphasize on
more in the course of this lecture).
• Country-based fellowship: These are fellowships for Egyptians alone
• Situation-based fellowships: These include refugee fellowships (for students from war-ridden nations around
Egypt, particularly in the MENA region e.g. Yemen, Syria, etc)
• Individual-based fellowships: These include fellowships instituted by influential individuals and personalities from
anywhere in the world and enjoyable for students in specific categories, disciplines or with specific academic
achievements after their first semester performances in AUC
2
• The African Graduate Fellowship: For Non-Egyptian citizens of African Countries

AFRICAN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP (AGF)

AGF is the most popular fellowship for Nigerians and citizens of other African coutries excluding Egypt.

Benefits of AGF
• Full Tuition Fee Waiver
• Either Housing Accommodation in the University Residence or Housing Allowance (for those willing to stay
off-campus)
• Monthly Stipend
• Travel grant
• Research grant
• Free Health Insurance and Medical Services Coverage
• Student Services and Activities Fee Waiver
• 12 hours per week of fellowship work

When to Apply
There are two application periods for anyone willing to compete for the AGF:

• Fall entry: Deadlines are February 1 for admission and April 15 for fellowship
• Spring entry: Application opens are September 15 and closes on November 3

Eligibility for AGF

To be eligible for AGF, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
• Minimum CGPA of 3.0 of 4.0 or 3.75 of 5.00
• TOEFLibt (Minimum of 79 of total score and 21 in the writing section or IELTS of 6.5)
• GRE/GMAT for applicants to the School of Business and Economics. This includes MSc in Economics, Finance,
Accounting, International Finance etc.
• Apply in any masters programme in the School of Business and Economics, School of Sciences and
Engineering, School of Global Affairs and Public policy, and School of Humanities/Social Sciences.

N.B: Please note that the AGF does not cover PhD programs.

Documents Required
The following documents are required for the application process from time to time:
• International Passport Bio-data page
• Official Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable within limited frame)
• Personal Statement
• Short Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letters of Recommendation (from at least 2 of your former faculties)
How to Apply
There are 2 steps to completing the application for AGF:
➢ Admission Application
➢ Fellowship Application

In order to submit the admission application, you need to:

• Create an account
• Confirm your login
• Fill the application form which includes providing the email addresses of your recommenders
• Submit the admission application (AUC application ID number will be sent to email after online submission).
3
Now the admission application is completed. After 7-14 working days, a confirmation email will be sent to you containing
an identification number.
This identification number is what will allow you to fill the fellowship form online, which is the second step in the
application process.

In the fellowship application, you need to:

• fill normal details and 4 essays are requested.
This is where you need to be more careful: just don't say what you don't understand. Concerning this, we
used to advise as thus: deal with who you are and transit into what "who you are" connects with your future
ambitions.
In your essay, each 250-word, start early so that you can have time for revisions before submitting your
fellowship form online.
• Finally, submit the fellowship application plus supporting documents.

An interview is conducted subsequently either in person (for those already in Cairo or Egypt) OR through skype.
In the interview, every single idea in your personal statement (submitted during admission application) and 4 essays
(submitted during fellowship application) will be discussed. So, I don't expect you to panic since you composed them by
yourself.
This marks the end of all processes. The next thing is to wait for FINAL DECISION.
Only successful candidates are contacted through email with a ROMANCE LETTER which includes admission letter and
fellowship letter OR in some situations, admissions ONLY.

EXTRA REMARKS ON THE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

There are 2 ways to go about the recommendation letters while filling the admission application:

Method One (1)

• Don't fill that "Recommenders" part in your online admission form.

• Send the copies of LoR template (provided on AUC website) to around 4 different lecturers who know you
and can help you fill it out
• Some of them may not have time to do it. Sending to 4 lecturers assures you would still get 2 that would fill it
and send it back to you
• If you get replies from 3/4 lecturers, select best 2 that you would submit to AUC and print the 2 out as hard
copies
• Once you have best your best 2 printed, it's the details of those 2 lecturers that you will transfer to the
recommender’s section in the online admission application where you stopped
• Complete and submit the application form
• AUC application ID number will be sent to your email after online submission
• Write that number in "AUC ID number" section under "Appli…

Method Two (2)

• Fill the names of your recommenders directly if you are sure of 2 that will surely provide the recommendations
for you.

The METHOD ONE is useful because the names of lecturers in the online application must tally with the names of
lecturers who eventually gave the LoRs...since you don't know yet which lecturers would do it for you.

THIS MARKS THE END OF MY LECTURE TONIGHT. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND GOD BLESS.

4
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. How do we get our application fee waived. Also, if A1. The application fee is waived for all applicants of
you have access to the application link. Please AGF and Queen Rania Fellowship (not for Nigerians)
kindly share (both the admission and scholarship). Once you tick the AGF option in a field in the admission
application form online, the application is waived
automatically.
https://www.aucegypt.edu/admissions/fellowships/listin
gs/african-graduate
Yes, if you want that option. It doesn't increase/decrease
your chance.

Q2. Do they take reference letter as proof of English A2. Yes, on one condition: if the candidate is not
language proficiency? applying for fellowship and is only applying for
admission. All fellowship applicants must submit
TOEFL/IELTS.
http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/content.php?catoid=29&
navoid=1467

Q3. Is it advisable to choose a course with dual degree? A3.

http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/content.php?catoid=29&
navoid=1467
Q4. Thanks so much for the lecture. Please can I get the
link where the eligible courses are listed?
A4.https://www.aucegypt.edu/admissions/fellowships/li
stings/african-graduate

ALUGO IDRIS
For: International Scholarship Forum [ISF]