Owolabi Israel Olorunfemi is a resilient and highly driven scholar whose academic and personal journey exemplifies perseverance, excellence, and purpose. He holds a First-Class Honors degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Abuja, where he graduated among the top 2% of his department. His academic success is a testament to his determination to overcome challenges and his unwavering commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

Born and raised in a rural community in Ekiti State, Nigeria, Israel’s journey to academic success was anything but ordinary. After completing his secondary education in a public school, financial constraints delayed his university education. Undeterred, he worked menial jobs and learned monogramming until he could afford to pursue his dreams. Initially admitted to study Computer Science due to a deficiency in Chemistry, he demonstrated remarkable resilience by retaking his WAEC exam while maintaining strong academic performance. His persistence paid off when he successfully transferred into the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, eventually graduating with distinction.

Throughout his undergraduate years, Israel exhibited strong leadership, research, and service-oriented qualities. He served as President of the All Christian Campus Fellowship for two years, leading numerous initiatives that fostered spiritual growth, leadership development, and community engagement among students. His dedication to academic excellence and service earned him the Ekiti State Undergraduate Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding performance.

Israel’s passion for research and innovation is reflected in his practical experiences and professional engagements. He worked as a Research Assistant in the Faculty of Engineering, contributing to academic projects that deepened his understanding of cutting-edge technologies. He also gained industry exposure through internships at Huawei Telecommunications and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja, where he developed hands-on skills in telecommunications and embedded systems. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, he further expanded his technical knowledge at the Benin Electricity and Distribution Company, gaining insights into power systems and energy distribution.

Israel’s academic and professional aspirations lie at the intersection of Electrical and Computer Engineering and biomedical innovation, particularly in developing advanced imaging and ultrasound technologies that enhance clinical decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes. He envisions a future where engineering and medicine converge to save lives through technological advancement. His long-term goal is to become a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, contributing to cutting-edge research, mentoring future innovators, and shaping the next generation of problem-solvers.

A pivotal part of Israel’s journey was his participation in the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP), which provided him with invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout his graduate school application process. Through the program’s dedicated advisors, workshops, and community of like-minded scholars, Israel gained the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to successfully navigate the complex path toward securing graduate admission and funding in the United States. He credits the Opportunity Funds Program for helping refine his academic goals and strengthen his competitiveness as a global scholar.

He has been awarded a fully funded PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Rochester, New York, where he will advance his research interests and continue his pursuit of excellence. Israel’s journey from humble beginnings to global academic recognition is a powerful story of resilience, faith, and purposeful ambition. Guided by the principle “beat the best and be the best,” he remains steadfast in his mission to contribute meaningfully to science, education, and humanity.

Oyedeji Temitope Victor was born on March 31st to a family of six in Ibadan, Nigeria. Growing up in an average family and a competitive environment has always taught me to strive to be at the pinnacle of my abilities while also assisting those around me. This conviction has been the foundation for my attitude towards academics, work, and personal life. It has always been spurred by the words of Albert Einstein: "I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious"

Oyedeji graduated as the best graduating student in the Department of Mathematics and the Faculty of Science at the University of Ibadan for the 2020/2021 session, achieving a CGPA of 3.87/4.0. He received several awards, including the General Overseer Excellence Award, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, 2022, National Outstanding Mathematics Student of the Year at the SNEAWARDS 2021, the Junior Chambers International Nigeria (JCIN) Fifteen Outstanding Persons Award for Most Outstanding in Academic Excellence at the University of Ibadan in 2021, , the Best Sportsman of the Year from the National Association of Mathematical Science Students, University of Ibadan in 2021, Academically Outstanding Student of the Year, Faculty of Science Students’ Association, University of Ibadan , 2021, among others.

During his time at the University of Ibadan , he taught pre-university tutorials and provided tutorials and solutions to mathematics past questions from 100 level to final year. In his final year, he served as the academic director of his faculty.  These accomplishments and more earned him, the nickname "Learning Maths." I was also privileged to be accepted into the Opportunity Funds Program of EducationUSA Abuja and secured a fully funded Ph.D. scholarship at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This opportunity would not have been possible without preparation, guidance from mentors and advisors, fellow scholars, and perseverance.

Peter Oyefolu graduated with a First Class honors bachelor’s degree and was the best-graduating student in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Benin in 2021. He worked as a research assistant at the Bioresources Valorization Laboratory, where he co-authored a few high-impact articles in top Elsevier journals, and he has gained recognition for his leadership experience. Through the generous support of the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program, Peter was offered four fully funded PhD scholarships and a fellowship. He is currently a recipient of the Howard P. Isermann Fellowship for his doctoral program in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, New York. 

Promise’s parents lived more of their lives in southern Nigeria until they needed to relocate to the North for mission work. Her parents were teachers working for the government until they retired to full mission work. This decision changed their finances and moving to a new location had more uncertainty for her and her siblings just in primary school. Little did they know that the relocation of her parents would turn a new chapter in their lives.
Promise and her siblings had to trek several miles to get to school in the new location, something they had never experienced. They also could not communicate with the locals who did not understand good English. Promise’s parents did their best to give her the best education available, even though they had very little income. Her parents were also available to help her through assignments to make up for poor teaching at school.
 
Despite these challenges, Promise made it to the university where she was offered admission to study zoology at the  Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). She was involved in several extra-curricular activities at the university.  She was a member of her Class Representative Council all through her four-year stay and once served as the Clerk of the Departmental House of Representatives. She also held positions as the Vice President of her Departmental Christian Students Fellowship. Took part in several competitions, including science debate competitions and the Famous Hult Prize.
Upon graduation, she was the secretary and part of the founding member of Digital On-boarders, a Community Development Service group of its kind in Nigeria. She participated in helping 100 local business owners get their business onboarded on Google My Business, and organized digital sensitization outreaches to schools while also channeling her interests in healthcare to volunteer for the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Slum and Rural Health Initiative.

Promise is taking her interests in healthcare and digitization a step further, and she will be resuming this fall of 2023 to begin her PhD program in Global Family Health and Well-being at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a fully funded scholarship. Her focus is on exploring how digital and telehealth techniques can be utilized as interventions for improving the mental and sexual health of women and children from minority populations.
 

Samuel Fanen was born into a family of seven.  His parents were predominantly farmers and not educated. Samuel lost his mother at age three, and his aunt took custody of him and his four siblings. The aunt runs a food business to support her family and their upkeep.
His journey through life was not all rosy, as he had to take some menial jobs to support the income from his aunt's family business. 

Through these challenges, Samuel enrolled in St. Paul’s Academy Jos after going through primary education living with the aunt who had raised them. Knowing his background as a farmer's son, he was determined to excel academically by working very hard in school. His Aunt was very supportive providing his necessities for him to do well in school. She also played a major role in his life by providing academic support while in Primary school.

This support gave him the ability to come tops in his Junior academic WAEC exams as the 5th best student with 8 A’s and 2B’s. Samuel Continued in his quest for excellence and graduated from High school as the valedictorian with 9A’1 in WAEC from his alma mater. Besides his academic achievements, he held leadership positions as the deputy Senior Prefect, the president of the debate club, and also the president of the Jets club. He also participated in various school competitions and was part of the winning team for his school.  Some of these competition includes the Presidential Debates Competition,  Common Wealth Essay 
Competition,  first position in biology Olympiad at State level and a two-time finalist coming 4th and 3rd Nationally.

He was awarded by the Faith Alive Foundation as the Best Graduating Computer Student and has a certificate of completion. Upon graduation from St Paul Academy, he applied for the opportunity funds program and got selected. He has been awarded a fully funded Scholarship to study computer science and biology at Grambling State University in Louisiana   
 

Segun holds a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with First Class Honours. Following his selection as an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholar, Segun became exposed to what it takes to land a graduate scholarship in the USA. With the unmatched guidance of advisers, numerous available resources, and motivation from EducationUSA, Segun secured a fully funded Master's Degree offer in the Department of Biology (Biotechnology Track) at Georgia State University. He currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Sunday Ochigbo is the first of a family of six children. Growing up with his siblings, he had been a leader and a mentor. Since childhood, he did not just demonstrated academic excellence, but he has also nurtured his passion for helping others excel, starting with my siblings, my neighbors and then my school mates. From organizing mini-summer school for my siblings and neighbors as a child to coaching my school’s junior Mathematics Olympiad team, I have always loved to share knowledge with others.

This led me to create a Facebook quiz platform – Science Trivia Quiz – during the Covid lockdown in 2020 to connect students through fun quizzes and learn from one another. He took quality time to set interesting Science and Mathematics questions, and  he also moderated quizzes almost weekly. Based on the feedbacks received, it was a huge success. During his secondary school, he participated in various competitions and won various awards. In 2018, he won third place in Benue State during the Cowbellpedia National Mathematics Competition (my first ever major competition). His  performance earned him participation in the Cowbellpedia Academy held in Abuja, where my interest in Mathematical Problem Solving and Olympiads was sparked. I went on to win gold medal (State Champion) in the National Mathematics Olympiad, National Champion in the 2020 Rising Genius Mathematics Challenge, 1st place regional MAN Mathematics Olympiad, Finalist 2020 international Youth Mathematics Challenge, 2nd place Area JETS competition, among other honors. Other academic accomplishments include graduating with the best WASSCE result in my class (6 A's and 3 B’s) and being among the top scorers in the 2021 UTME with a score of 340 out of 400.

Aside Mathematics, I also enjoy programming. I am a certified self-taught programmer in various languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS. I enjoy solving the coding challenges via Sololearn Mobile app. I am currently taking web development courses with Nodejs. His identity as a leader from birth has been nurtured by my participation in various associations and clubs. He served as the leader of a religious body in his neighborhood (Block Rosary Crusade) for over 3 years, where he taught children scriptures, good morals, and prayers. He served as organizer of the JETS club in my school; He planned and hosted interclass competitions, as well as inauguration events. He aslo served as the class president for the class of 2021, Government Secondary School, Gboko – his alma mater. Other extracurricular engagements include PRESS club, Christian Fellowship (FCS), and leisure time football.

He hopes to contribute to technological advancement in Nigeria by possessing my niche in harnessing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to solve problems of
insecurity, energy efficient transportation systems, etc. I look forward to leading mentorship programs to inspire others in this light. Having been selected into the opportunity funds program he got admitted  secured a fully funded  scholarship to study Computer Engeneering Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Temilola Victor Olowolayemo is a well-rounded and accomplished student who has blazed trails both in his academic work and otherwise.

Through his High School years, Temilola participated in intra- and inter-school competitions, where he excelled as a(n) orator, debater, and mathematician. He made it to the second stage of the South African Mathematics Olympiad twice in Junior School. To further confirm his academic and intellectual prowess, he was recognized as the top of the school from the second trimester of JSS1 to the second trimester of SSS1 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, having average percentages over 90%.

Shortly after resuming his new High School in 2020, his dynamic leadership traits were quickly noticed. He was appointed the President of the prestigious JETS club, a position he held until he graduated. As an individual who has always maintained high academic excellence, he carved his name deep into the sands of time of his alma mater, graduating as the Head boy and doubling as the Valedictorian of the class of 2022, where he demonstrated exemplary leadership and people management skills. In his final high school year, he scored 321 and had 5 A1s, 3Bs, and 1 C4 in UTME and WASSCE, respectively, thus achieving the highest mark in the UTME ever scored by anyone from his school, Daystar College. Additionally, he collaborated with his physics and IT instructors to develop an Excel worksheet model to computerize his school's termly results filing system.

In his final High School year, Temilola was encouraged to apply for the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) by his Physics teacher. Although, at the moment, that seemed like a path that wasn’t very clear to him, he took on the challenge and applied. He was ecstatic when he got the email that he was selected for an Interview in July 2022 and all the more when he was eventually chosen as one of 14 OFP scholars from a pool of 8,000 applicants. Temilola is currently a native of the Community Innovation Hub, where he keeps himself up-to-date with innovations in Tech and works to achieve the SDGs. He also works for his mother’s publishing business, LOLOLA Educational Services, where he designs books for preschoolers. As a student who has been faced with threats of losing access to education and who has also experienced the downsides of lack of access to learning opportunities and Tech resources, he is an advocate for Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

He hopes to work with a team of like-minded individuals to bridge the digital divide in Africa. He also hopes to research the inter-relativity of humans and machines while learning about the Internet of Things (IoT) with the end goal of building Wearable andro-humanoid robot parts and making them accessible to those who suffer from Poliomyelitis in his home country, Nigeria.

It is not all books for Temilola. As a member of his church, Triumphant Word Christian Centre, Temilola works in the Technical Department/Media, where he works with other team members to ensure a seamless flow of the technical aspects of church services.

A lover of unconventional paths and an aspiring global citizen, Temilola, with the help and assistance he got from the OFP, will study Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and take a double major in Physics at Minerva University, on maximum need-based financial aid, where he will experience global immersion in seven metropolitan cities around the world. Temilola believes strongly that if it’s conceivable, then it’s achievable.

Oluwadara comes from a very humble home, he knew that giving anything less of the best to education was not an option. Growing up was tough. This is because his parents had no jobs, hence they were
living from hand to mouth. His parents being proponents of good education ensured that he and his siblings attended one of the best private secondary schools in town.
Afterwards, I gain admission into the prestigious University of Ibadan where hehad my BSc and Masters degree in Chemistry.

His Parents deprived themselves of many things and made numerous sacrifices to ensured that they get the best . From my parents, I was fortunate to learn doggedness, commitment and perseverance. These values were useful during his program in the University, especially during the master’s degree program where he graduated as top in his class and during my PhD applications. He eventually secured a PhD chemistry
admission at the University of Georgia with full funding after my second attempt of Graduate school applications.

In conclusion, the journey came with it’s ups and downs but he thank God for seeing him through the journey. He is immensely grateful for the tutelage and various mentorship platforms of the EducationUSA Abuja, most especially Aunty Shade, Miss Malate and the wonderful mentors. They made the journey memorable. He is grateful to every member, and most importantly  grateful to God.

My name is Awoyemi Tobiloba, and today I'd like to share a story of dreams, opportunities, and hope. My journey towards furthering my education has been filled with challenges, primarily due to limited resources. Like many others, I often found myself blaming external factors for my predicament. I aspired to reach the pinnacle of my studies with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, but it felt like a distant dream. I encountered setbacks when applying to graduate schools, receiving rejection letters that, in a somewhat ironic way, praised the competitiveness of my application while denying me admission. However, amidst these disappointments, a ray of hope emerged – EducationUSA.

The turning point in my application journey came through the EducationUSA boot camp. Listening to the stories of other scholars who had successfully navigated the application process filled me with determination. I absorbed their insights and applied them to my approach, realizing that I had been doing it wrong all along.

Moreover, the news of my selection for the Opportunity Funds program was a moment of pure joy and renewed hope. It was about more than just financial support; it offered guidance and training that paved the way for me to pursue my educational dreams. Thanks to EducationUSA and the Opportunity Funds program, I received not one but eight fully funded Ph.D. offers. Now, I proudly stand before you as a Ph.D. student at Purdue University.

In conclusion, I'd like to say, "Go EduUSA!" This program has the incredible power to transform lives and open doors that once appeared permanently closed. It's a testament to the profound impact that education and opportunity can have on an individual's journey.

Thank you EducationUSA!

Victor Olayemi is a first-class graduate of Consumer Sciences (Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics) from Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife. His passion for community nutrition programs made him volunteer with the Maternal and Child Resource Initiative on Breastfeeding (MaCRIB), where he gained first-hand experience of community engagement to promote behavioral change.

He was one of the successful recipients of the EducationUSA opportunity funds program (OFP) for the 2022/2023 cohort. Through the mentorship provided by EducationUSA, He got a fully funded offer for his Ph.D. program in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech.

Wasiu B. Akintunde is a remarkable individual who has consistently exhibited an exceptional commitment to economics. His relentless pursuit of knowledge, combined with his passion for understanding the intricate dynamics of economic systems, sets him apart as an inspiring figure within the field.  Wasiu's drive to make a meaningful impact in the world has led him to pursue a fully funded Ph.D. admission (Economics) at Texas Tech University, where he will continue his journey toward becoming a notable economist and contributing to developmental research projects. Wasiu graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Abuja, FCT, Nigeria, where he ranked in the top 1% of his class of 384 students. Wasiu's passion for research and mathematics in economics drives him to explore fundamental mathematical analysis and apply econometrics analysis to economic data.

As part of his preparations for graduate school, Wasiu successfully completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with an outstanding overall score of 328. He particularly excelled in the quantitative section, achieving a commendable score of 166 out of 170. Furthermore, Wasiu has been actively involved in research and has contributed several scholarly papers to his ResearchGate account. One notable publication among them is titled "An Econometric Analysis of Nigeria's Inflation and Unemployment: A Vector Error Correction Model." This research paper delves into the examination of the relationship between inflation and unemployment in Nigeria, utilizing a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) for econometric analysis.

Wasiu intends to use econometric methods to analyze vast economic data, providing policymakers with evidence-based insights for informed decision-making. His research will focus on refining econometric models, developing accurate forecasting techniques, and exploring the impact of various macroeconomic variables on economic growth, inflation, and other crucial indicators. With his exceptional skills and experiences, Wasiu is poised to become a notable economist and contribute significantly to developmental research projects.

Driven by his passion for serving society, Wasiu founded a research institute called Team Best, where he trained over 200 students in quantitative and software skills while organizing seminars. He also volunteered as a teacher (Teaching Assistant), imparting knowledge in economics and mathematics courses to over 1000 students in the north-central region of Nigeria.  As the president of the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), he led a community of over 3,000 students. He was recognized with the Leadership Award and the Brain of the Year Award for the class of 2020. Wasiu B. Akintunde is an extraordinary individual who has excelled academically and made a significant impact as a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld, United Kingdom, for advocating for SDG 4 goals. With his passion for serving society and his commitment to education and skill development, Wasiu has touched the lives of numerous individuals through his training programs and leadership roles.

He applied for the Opportunity Funds Program of Education USA Abuja, Wasiu Akintunde is a testament to the impact that education and research can have on individuals and their communities. His admission to Texas Tech University on a fully funded basis opens up new avenues for him to continue his academic journey and make a lasting impact in economics.

Since junior secondary school, I harbored a strong desire to study in the United States, and my parents wholeheartedly supported my aspirations, especially my mother, despite our financial constraints. After completing junior secondary school, my parents made the difficult decision to transfer me to a different senior secondary school due to the high cost of attendance at my previous school. Although initially seen as a setback, little did I know it would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Everything proceeded as usual until tragedy struck a few months before my final exams in 12th grade.

My beloved mother passed away, leaving my father burdened with both the mental and financial responsibilities of the family. At that moment, all hope seemed lost, and I believed my dreams of studying in the US had been shattered forever. However, a ray of light emerged when I discovered EducationUSA. During my 12th grade at the School for the Gifted Gwagwalada, EducationUSA emissaries introduced me to the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP). Suddenly, my long-lost dream of pursuing an American education was rekindled, and this time, I was overjoyed knowing that I could alleviate my father’s stress and concerns about financing my college education. Without hesitation, I applied for the program, and through sheer fortune, I was granted acceptance.

Engaging in a series of meetings with advisors and fellow EducationUSA members, I became well-versed in the intricacies of the college application system. With their guidance, I successfully organized my extracurricular activities, developed an impressive resume, carefully selected prospective schools, and fulfilled all other requirements for college admission. Despite facing numerous disappointments during my initial application year, I convinced myself that I would pursue my studies beyond the borders of Nigeria. In my second application year, the unwavering support and financial assistance provided by the OFP finally led to a breakthrough. I was awarded a prestigious Presidential scholarship to attend Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Based on my own experiences, I can confidently affirm that any dream, regardless of the obstacles posed by time, finances, motivation, or other barriers, can be achieved. I am a living testament to this belief. The Opportunity Funds Program is not merely a program but a close knit family, and I continuously express my gratitude for the day I discovered this invaluable support system. I extend my sincerest thanks to the EducationUSA advisors for their unwavering support, guidance, and invaluable advice. Furthermore, I express my heartfelt gratitude to God for making this incredible journey possible.

Yetunde Mabadeje holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Biology from Lagos State University, Ojo. She graduated as the best graduating student of the Department of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Education. She was also the second-best overall graduating student at Lagos State University in the 2020/2021 academic session obtaining many notable awards.

She is highly motivated and passionate about simplifying learning for students, which has engineered her actions toward improving learning strategies over the years. From teaching students at different academic levels to organizing tutorials for her coursemates and juniors with a 99% success rate, Yetunde’s ever-burning passion for influencing the Education space in Nigeria and Africa at large continues to be evident based on these results. All these culminated in her interest to further dive into the Education space. 

She was selected as one of the 27 successful recipients of the EducationUSA opportunity funds program for the 2022/2023 cohort. Despite lacking prior knowledge of navigating the graduate school application process, she underwent less than a year of intensive training and mentorship by EducationUSA advisors and alumni. This preparation equipped her with the necessary skills to successfully complete the application process. As a result, Yetunde secured a fully funded direct Ph.D. offer in the form of a Research assistantship at the University of Iowa. Her field of study is Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, with a research focus on how science teachers can create engaging and transformative learning environments. Specifically, she aims to explore how leveraging students' lived experiences, and intersections with other disciplines, interests, tools, representations, and contexts can enhance learning and retention. Her research approach will primarily involve qualitative data analysis.

EducationUSA serves as a valuable resource for aspiring graduate and undergraduate students, providing them with reliable information and necessary training to successfully navigate the challenges of the application process. Additionally, EducationUSA equips students with essential skills to excel in American Educational Institutions at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, so, please go through the rigor of training and applications for you to come out as Gold. I look forward to seeing you in the United States soon!

Yusuf journey to study in the USA started in 2015 immediately he graduated from the university with a First Class Honours in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He heard about the exam GRE – Graduate Record Examination— for the first time in his life from my mentor and he was determined to write and ace the exam as it was the gateway to studying in the US then. Unfortunately, he did not have the financial means to write the exam and had to wait utill 2016 when he started the NYSC program so that he could save some money from his monthly  allowance to write the exam.

Thankfully, the exchange rate was not as crazy as it is today and I was able to raise the amount ($205 equivalent to about 65,000 NGN) after a couple of months of savings. I had to write TOEFL too as English proficiency test was mandatory then. I wrote the GRE, which was mandatory for grad school application back then and I got a respectable score of 312 (Q158 V154 AWA 4.0). With finance still an issue with respect to payment of application fees (application fee waiver wasn’t a thing back then), I was able to save some money from my allawance and through private tutoring. I was able to pay the app fees of five schools and the sixth school does not require application fee. In the end, I was not admitted to any school and I was devastated when I got the final rejection letter from University of Utah on the 8th of June 2017 when I had hoped to sneak in via the waitlist.

Despite the setback, he never gave up on his dream to further his studies. Now armed with my GRE and TOEFL scores, hr was able to apply to other countries. In the end, he secured fully funded scholarships to 3 countries namely Saudi Arabia (KFUPM), Turkey (Turkiye Burslari scholarship) and UK (PTDF scholarship). Ultimately, he settled for the UK and went on to do his M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering at Imperial College London. After finishing from Imperial, he still had the drive to study in the US, but this time around, He had the opportunity to be working with excellent advisers from EducationUSA (Ms Adebayo and Ms Malate) to prepare my applications.

The booth camp EducationUSA organized for prospective applicants was eye opening, learnt so many tips on how to better prepare my applications. He also decided to write the GRE again  and scored 332 (Q167 and V165). In the end, I was able to secure over 8 admissions, 4 of were fully funded. Although fully funded, he cold not cover the cost of my visa and my flight ticket. He was hoping for a miracle and that was exactly what happened. He was offered the EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) scholarship, the scholarship covered visa fee, SEVIS fee and flight ticket. My joy knew no bounds when Ms Adebayo informed him that he was among the finalist for the OFP scholarship.

Yusuf was accepted  to University of Rochester’s for a PhD program in Chemical Engineering. He is sincerely greatful to EducationUSA for this rare opportunity and special thanks to the advisers for all the support and mentorship.