Google Women Techmakers Scholarship Program (a.k.a Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship)
Last week Sri Lankan Women Techmakers with the collaboration of Anita Borg Memorial Scholars from Sri Lanka opened application for the mentoring program for Sri Lankan students who are interested in applying Google Women Techmakers Scholarship (previously known as Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship). This program act as an outreach program to increase awareness of Sri Lankan students about the scholarship and help them to make the best with their application.
With the hassle we created with launching the scholarship program people keep asking me what is the big deal. So here is my recap and personal experience from the scholarship.
Dr. Anita Borg is an inspiration to all the women technologists around the world. Her goal to create gender equality in computer science by encouraging more women to engage in technical careers is currently being continued by several stakeholders like Anita Borg Institute (which was founded by Dr. Anita Borg herself and previously known as Institute for Women and Technology). She initiated the first email network for women in technology, systers in 1987 and it is still functioning as a safe heaven for women technologists to seek advice from their peers and discuss the challenges they face as women in technology.
To extend Dr. Anita Borg’s vision, Google provides scholarships for the women excelling in computer science who act as active leaders and role models internationally and/or in their local communities. This scholarship was previously known as Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship and now relaunched as Google Women Techmakers Scholars Program.
The scholarship contains three elements, the monetary part of the scholarship to support the educational expenses (amount is decided on country wise), a Google retreat held at one of the Google Offices where you get the chance to meet the fellow Scholars and Googlers and access to an elite community of googlers and alumni where you can get mentorship in any preferred area you like and engage in discussions revolving around technology and women.
I first applied for the scholarship in my undergrads and didn’t get it. But when I started my masters I applied again and was one of the few lucky girls in Asia Pacific region to get the scholarship. You can find more about the past scholars here.
See the blog post about us from the Google Blog
So the first question a lot of people ask is what is the application process is like?
Before going to the application process let’s see what the eligibility criteria is. Given blow is the eligibility criteria for Asia Pacific region, if you want to give it a shot.
- Identify as female
- Currently be enrolled at an accredited university for the 2017–2018 academic year
- Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time or part-time student in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program at a university in Asia Pacific for the 2017–2018 academic year
- Be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Demonstrate a strong academic record
- Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for increasing the involvement of women in computer science
If you are eligible you can apply through Google Scholarships and Program application site.
You can find more about the Google Scholarships and programs here.
To apply you have to answer few essay questions. These questions are fabricated to extract your passion for computer science, technical skills and your involvement to promote women in computing. The answers along with your resume and transcript will showcase your academic excellence along with the leadership abilities and act as a good playground for the reviewers to understand your background and make a decision whether you are worthy of the scholarship.
Once the application is submitted and if you are shortlisted, there will be a short phone interview. This is about a half an hour phone call from the scholarship committee. To me it was rather a discussion than an interview. These questions are based on your resume and essay answers. Read more about the interview experience of the past scholars here.
After the interview if you are selected they will let you know through a phone call followed by an email.
Then it is retreat time. As soon as you got the news that you are selected Google starts planning the retreat. All the cost including travel accommodation and visa is covered by Google. They will fly you to one of their offices and you get the chance to be there for a week interacting with fellow scholars and Googlers. This retreat is a combination of having fun along with a learning component. Almost every day started with dancing and ended with partying.
In 2016 our retreat was held at Google Hyderabad. We were warmly welcomed there and from the moment we landed at Hyderabad to the moment we were dropped off at the airport on the last day, Google took care of everything including security, whether it is an airport transfer or a shopping excursion. We even got the chance to visit and take dinner at Falaknuma palace which was an entirely a different kind of experience.
The days went by with various sessions where google spoilt us with lot of swags. We got to know lot of new cool things Google is developing, how Google interviews are happening, how to build robots, how to plan activities for your local communities, how to beat the unconscious bias, etc.
In the retreat you get the chance to meet amazing people from your region who are doing amazing things. You get the chance to learn from them as well as share your stories. At the end of the week you all become a tightly knit family.
The highlight of the retreat for me is that one of the fellow scholars told me on the first day that she follow me on quora and read my answers. (I was stupefied for a moment and floating 2-3 inches above the ground for a while)
The best and the most important thing which comes along with the scholarship is the community. There is an virtual community with fellow scholars in all the regions, to share resources, collaborate on projects and support the global community of women.
If you are a women in computer science, this is a good opportunity. Whether you are a part time student, a full time student, bachelors, masters or phd student, you are eligible to apply (see the eligibility criteria above).
So the next frequently asked question is “What are some tips you think which got you the scholarship?”
Here are few things I can think of which helped me to get the scholarship
- Have a good academic standing
- Do something for women in computer science. This can be taking part in a formal mentoring program to mentor local/international women or mentoring some one you know informally to start in computer science.
- Give a lot of thought in writing the essay answers, make use of the maximum word count. If you are not sure of the language or if your first language is not English ask some one to review the language component on your application. Make sure your passion in computer science is displayed through your answers.
- With the cultural background of Sri Lankan’s you may feel like boasting, even if you are just stating your accomplishments. Do not make the mistake of letting that feeling take over.
- Actively participate and organize events or programs which will create an impact on your local communities and support women in computer science
The applications for the Asia pacific region is now open and the deadline is on 1st of May. If you need a little push and help consider applying for our mentorship program.
Even if you do not apply for the mentoring program apply directly for the scholarship.
Here is a youtube live Q & A session we did with Kate Isaacs, a fellow Anita Borg Scholar from North America. It will give you some good tips on writing the essay answers and asking for recommendations.
Here are some important resources and blog posts where you can find more information about the scholarship.
- http://diksha-rathi.github.io/2017/google-anitaborgscholarship-exerience/
- https://bhavya0x83b.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/googles-anita-borg-scholarship/
- http://compscigail.blogspot.ca/2009/06/google-scholars-retreat-san-francisco.html
- http://dilsdomain.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-wtm-scholarship-previously-google.html
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-receive-the-Google-Anita-Borg-Memorial-Scholarship
- https://www.quora.com/Who-judges-the-Google-Anita-Borg-Scholarships
- https://www.quora.com/How-competitive-is-the-Googles-Anita-Borg-Scholarship-APAC
- https://students.googleblog.com/2016/11/spotlight-on-women-techmakers-scholars.html
If you want to know about the interview and beyond, read my second medium story on this.
