Hi 👋 I am Joy, a Virtual Assistant helping founders stay organised and responsive.
I handle email, calendar, CRM, travel planning, research, support tasks & workflow automation.
If you need reliable remote support, I’m available.
💌 DM me
📂 Portfolio: https://t.co/EE4BrkxAMg
I interviewed people for Shell for years.
Here’s how to get in. 🧵
These tips will help you for other O&G companies too because they basically copy each other.
Same concepts. Different buzz words.
5 TIPS FOR REQUESTING STRONG RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Your recommendation letters could make or break your chances of being selected for the scholarships like the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship.
Here are some tips to ensure your referee write a strong and impressive recommendation letter for you.
🔹 1. Choose the Right Referee
It is important that you pick someone who knows you well (academically or professionally).
Former lecturers, research supervisors, bosses or mentors are best.
❗️Don’t pick people with fancy titles who barely know you or can’t speak to your abilities.
Your referee is someone you have worked with and can impressively write about your fit for graduate school.
If the referee is academic, he/she should speak about your ability to carry out research independently as well as your initiative and collaborative skills.
If the referee is professional, he/she should speak on the position you held, your job functions, and how you contributed to the team or organization. He/she should also highlight your work ethic, impact and team work spirit.
🔹 2. Request Early and Clearly
Ask your referee for a recommendation letter at least 1 month in advance. If you haven’t been in touch with your proposed referee, here’s the time to send your greetings/salutations before requesting for the recommendation letter.
When requesting for a recommendation letter from your referee, don’t just say “Can you write me a recommendation letter?”. Explain what it’s for.
📝 Sample Message:
Dear Prof. Abel, I am applying for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to study in Europe. Please it’d be a pleasure if you can write a recommendation letter for me, highlighting my academic abilities and research experience?
📌Tip: The recommendation letter MUST be written on official letterhead and signed.
If it's from a university, it should have the institution’s logo and contact info at the top.
If it’s from a company, it should have the company’s logo and contact information.
🔹 3. Provide Useful Materials to your referee such as:
- Your updated CV
- Your SOP/Motivation Letter
- A list of your achievements
- Info about the Erasmus program you’re applying to
💡 This helps them write a personalized letter that matches your application goals.
🔹 4. A Strong Letter Should Contain
- Specific examples (e.g., Jane was top 5% in her class, she was class representative during her set etc)
- Soft skills (leadership, teamwork, initiative, resilience)
- Relevant academic or research achievements
- Mention of your potential to thrive in a multicultural setting (very important)
- A confident endorsement (e.g., I strongly recommend Jane for …)
Note: Avoid generic phrases like "Jane was a good student."
✅ Use impactful statements like "Jane consistently demonstrated critical thinking and leadership in my Advanced Physiology class."
5. Follow Up Respectfully
Send reminders at least 2 weeks before the scholarship deadline.
Always thank them afterward and update them if you get selected.
‼️Share this post with anyone applying for Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Do you have further questions? Drop them in the comments
@Cheezylicious_ Hi Cheezy!
I am a scholarship enthusiast, preparing for the next cycle of scholarship application.
In my quest for the A-Z on how to prepare I stumbled upon your page and I have been glued. Thank you for sharing valuable tips and insights.
Top Mistakes to Avoid in Your Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Application - LESSONS FROM A REAPPLICANT
Every year, brilliant Nigerians miss out on the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, not for lack of intelligence, but because of simple, avoidable mistakes.
Having applied for this scholarship twice myself, I have seen first-hand where many applicants go wrong.
If you’re planning to apply this year, read this carefully and avoid these pitfalls 👇
✨1. Applying Without Researching the Program
- Copy pasting the same SOP for all programs without tailoring it.
- Not understanding the program’s mobility track or focus area.
- Choosing a program only because of the “countries” instead of career fit.
✨2. Weak Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Writing a personal life story without connecting it to the program.
- Overusing clichés like “I have always been passionate about…” without substantial examples.
- Not showing clear career goals and how Erasmus will help achieve them.
- Making it too long or too short (not following word count guidelines).
✨3. Poor Academic CV
- Using a generic job-seeking CV instead of an academic one.
- Not including research, academic projects, volunteer work, or conferences.
- Missing important sections like publications, skills, or relevant coursework.
✨4. Weak Recommendation Letters
- Asking referees who barely know you for recommendation letters
- Not briefing referees on what to highlight.
- Using recommendation letters that are too generic and not tailored to Erasmus.
✨5. Ignoring Eligibility or Application Instructions
- Missing document formatting requirements (for example ignoring the use of PDF formats only or incorrect naming of documents).
- Uploading incomplete transcripts or unofficial results.
- Applying for a program without meeting the language or degree requirements.
✨6. Not Showcasing Achievements Properly
- Hiding leadership roles, volunteer work, and projects because they think “it’s not relevant.”
- Failing to highlight impact e.g., “Organized a health campaign for 200 students” instead of “Organized a campaign.”
✨7. Poor Time Management
- Rushing to apply the night before the deadline.
- Not giving referees enough time to write letters.
- Skipping proofreading, leading to typos and errors in documents.
✨8. Weak Connection Between Profile & Program
- Applying for a program unrelated to their academic background or career path without explaining the switch.
- Not showing how their past experience prepares them for the program’s courses.
✨9. Overlooking Extra Opportunities in the Application
- Not mentioning scholarships, awards, or online courses completed.
- Ignoring extracurricular activities that prove adaptability and teamwork.
✨10. Lack of Professionalism in Communication
- Writing casual or poorly worded SOP and academic CV.
- Using unprofessional email address like [email protected] to apply for the scholarship
✨11. Only First Class Graduates Win the Scholarship
This is a big myth! Yes, strong CGPA matter, but Erasmus looks at your overall profile such as: motivation, experience, leadership, and how well you fit into the program. Many Nigerians with 2:1 have won, and even some with a 2:2.
📌 Save & Share this with anyone applying this year.
❗️A lot of people have been asking me when the Erasmus Mundus scholarship will open, so here’s an important update for the 2027 set 👇🏽
Applications for most Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programs typically open in October 2026. Some programs close as early as December 2026, while others extend deadlines to February or March 2027, depending on the course.
So if you’re targeting the 2027 cohort, your application window is:
October 2026 → March 2027 (all dependent on your course of interest)
❗️Here’s what you should be doing right now:
1. Go to the Erasmus Mundus catalogue and start shortlisting programs that fit your background
https://t.co/VzxOtPVUjd
2. Visit each program’s website, requirements and deadlines vary
3. Start preparing your documents early: CV, motivation letter, transcripts, referees
4. Plan ahead for English tests if required
⚡️My honest advice?
Don’t wait till October to start. The strongest applicants are already preparing months in advance.
I’ll keep sharing tips from my experience so you don’t have to figure this out alone ✨
Hi 👋 I am Joy, a Virtual Assistant helping founders stay organised and responsive.
I handle email, calendar, CRM, travel planning, research, support tasks & workflow automation.
If you need reliable remote support, I’m available.
💌 DM me
📂 Portfolio: https://t.co/EE4BrkxAMg
@datGuyJoel My take home, never sell yourself short. Cease every opportunity to engage meaningfully.
I Was just scrolling through X and came across this space. I decided to tune in. I must say it's really worth the time. You're all dishing out value.