The Courage to Ask

There was a time when I spent weeks thinking about sending an email to someone I hoped would support my application.

I had written the email. I had read it over many times. I had changed the subject line, adjusted the greeting and rewritten the final paragraph more than once. But I still did not send it.

Part of me was worried that I would be ignored. Another part wondered if I was asking for too much. What if they thought I was not qualified enough? What if they said no?

So I waited.

Eventually, I sent the email. The response was kind, helpful and much simpler than I had imagined. Looking back, I realised that most of the difficulty had existed in my mind long before it existed in reality.

Many people are comfortable doing the work alone. They will research scholarships, write essays, update their CVs and stay up late trying to understand application requirements. But when it is time to ask for a reference, request feedback or reach out to someone whose work they admire, they hesitate.

I understand that hesitation. Asking can make us feel exposed. It creates the possibility of rejection, silence or embarrassment. It can feel safer to struggle privately than to let someone know that we need help.

But the scholarship journey is rarely a solo journey.

A strong application often depends on people who can speak honestly about your work. A referee may remember an achievement you have overlooked. A mentor may see a gap in your statement of purpose that you cannot see yourself. Someone who has gone through the process before may save you time, confusion and unnecessary mistakes.

Of course, asking well matters. You should not send vague messages or expect people to do all the work for you. Be clear about what you need, give people enough time and make it easy for them to support you. If you are requesting a reference, remind them of the work you did together and share the deadline. If you want feedback, ask specific questions instead of simply saying, “Please review this.”

But do not let the fear of being a burden stop you from asking altogether.

This connects to many of the things we have discussed in this series. Agency means taking responsibility for your journey. Audacity means trying even when you are unsure. Strategy means knowing what you need and where to direct your effort. Sometimes, the most strategic thing you can do is admit that you cannot do every part of the process alone.

The truth is that people say no sometimes. They may be busy. They may not know you well enough. They may not respond at all. But a no does not mean you were wrong to ask. It simply means you need to ask someone else or find another way forward.

Do not allow one unanswered email to become a reason to stop.

There are opportunities you may never hear about unless you ask. Feedback you may never receive unless you ask. Relationships that may never begin unless you ask.

So think about the email, message or conversation you have been postponing.

Write it properly. Send it respectfully.

Then let yourself be helped.

—Ojonugwa
Scholar ChitChat

PS. Applications are still open for the second cohort of the Grad School Retreat. Join us for a special, high-impact 4-week application bootcamp (small group, practical sessions, document reviews). You can apply here: See the programmes if relevant and share with someone on this journey.

Opportunities This Week

Don’t forget to check out opportunities currently open. If any align with your goals, take time this week to review the requirements properly, then commit and start applying early.

1. McCall MacBain Scholarship (Canada)

   Deadline: 19 August 2026

   Official website: McCall MacBain Scholarship (Canada) — Official website

2. Rhodes Scholarship

   Deadline: 27 August 2026

   Official announcement: Rhodes Scholarship — Official announcement

3. Portugal Government Scholarships 2026 (UG, MSc & PhD)

   Deadline: 30 September 2026

   Official announcement: Portugal Government Scholarships 2026 (UG, MSc & PhD) — Official announcement

4. Ireland Fellows Programme (MSc)

   Deadline: 26 July 2026

   Official announcement: Ireland Fellows Programme (MSc) — Official announcement

5. DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme Master’s Scholarship (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance)

   Deadline: 31 July 2026

   Official announcement: DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme Master’s Scholarship — Official announcement

6. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Scholarship Program

   Deadline: 31 July 2026

   Official announcement: Korea International Cooperation Agency — Official announcement

   SCC episode: Korea International Cooperation Agency — SCC episode

7. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University

   Deadline: 21 August 2026

   Official announcement: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University — Official announcement

   Note: Register to attend a mandatory information session before July 15 to be able to proceed.

8. Schwarzman Scholars

   Deadline: September 9th

   Official announcement: Schwarzman Scholars — Official announcement

Good luck!