When assessing our candidates (both for UCU and KSE scholarships), we apply several criteria to differentiate them. The process is not linear, and there is no silver bullet, as one cannot just put a score next to someone's name and claim that it is an objective way to assess a person. Yet, we do our best to be fair and ensure the quality of our intake.
Please remember that the most common mistake made by candidates is a lack of belief in themselves. Even among our scholarship recipients, the majority had doubts that they had any chances to win. Yet, the only guaranteed way to fail the process is to give up without even trying.
Most of our procedures are borrowed from top-tier companies and universities where our members worked or studied at.
Therefore, to make an informed decision, we apply two rounds of assessment – screening and interviews.
During this stage, we mainly assess candidates' CVs and essays. We receive applications from candidates of various age groups and, of course, we don't expect 20-year-olds to have as much relevant experience as 25-year-olds. There are no formalised criteria, yet we pay close attention to the following things (the list is not exhaustive and consists of things we typically consider a plus, yet we don't expect candidates to check all or even 50% of the boxes):
Using ChatGPT or other LLMs to generate materials violates the selection conditions and automatically disqualifies candidates who use them. We do not oppose using technology for more efficient work with text materials, such as correcting errors or performing other editing operations (e.g., Grammarly). However, we always identify LLM-generated materials. We check all materials for integrity and regularly disqualify candidates who attempt to circumvent this prohibition.
Typically, around 30% of candidates are invited to interview after the screening stage.
Depending on whether you're applying to UCU or KSE, you might either have a technical and a fit interview or two fit interviews, respectively. They are independent and graded separately.
The technical interview includes a small algorithmic task and a discussion about the data science/machine learning experience candidate may (or may not) have. The interview is mainly conducted in English and is written in a shared Google Doc. During the technical interview, we look for the following:
Valuable resources:
1. Consulting/Finance track interview will include a business case (Profitability/Market entry/New product development). Each candidate will have a 40-50 minutes long interviewee- or interviewer-led case with Ampersand community representatives (KSE alumni currently employed in top strategy consulting firms worldwide). This part includes problem structuring, calculations, and creativity questions in which the candidate will be assessed by the following criteria:
Valuable resources:
2. Data Analytics / Product Management track interview will consist of a case interview which will last approximately 50 minutes. It will include a business-oriented question (e.g., a market size question) and a question on the data analysis (no coding required). This interview aims to discover crucial skills that are needed to work in the data analysis field. Each candidate will be assessed by the following criteria:
Valuable resources:
During the fit interview, we look for the following things:
Things that we consider to be red flags:
We do not expect candidates to meet 100% of all of the above criteria (or even half of them). We are all people. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, backgrounds, preferences and traits. That is why we do not pay much attention to minor details and formal indicators but rather to an overall portrait of a person. Do not stress. Please do everything you can (to avoid regretting things you could have done better) and be yourself. The mere fact that you have applied puts you in the top 1% of your peers. You are a much better candidate than you possibly think you are, and we are sincerely looking forward to meeting you.
