Fadeshola

LFI on the BHB

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐭: 𝐀𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

Since 2019, I've been CHASING a fully-funded PhD in the US. "Armed" with a stellar undergrad result (1st Class, Petroleum and Gas Engineering @UnilagNigeria), decent test scores (110/120 in TOEFL, 321/340 and 329/340 in two instances of the GRE) and a can-do attitude, I expected a conclusion in Fall 2020. However, this story was renewed for several unsolicited seasons; 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘥'𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘺.

For years, profs and grad students in target programs reviewed my application documents but couldn't find reasons behind my rejections. Then came the desolation (not of Smaug) of watching others begin my unrealized dreams in the US. I started feeling like the MCU's Kang the Conqueror; 𝘏𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 (in Nigeria).

After 3 consecutive (Fall 2020-2022), unsuccessful application cycles, I was spent. I decided not to apply for Fall 2023 but focus on my new job. With my chakra replenished, I entered the Fall 2024 ring with more fury than Tyson could handle from Usyk - I reviewed the websites of 144 chemical engineering schools and submitted 19 applications (18 free apps, 1 paid app).

After 4 application cycles, 33 applications, 3 unfunded offers and 25 rejections, I received 5 fully-funded PhD offers for Fall 2024!
FYI: My only paid application for Fall 2024=Fully Funded Offer. Talk about ROI 😎

On 12-August-2024, I arrived for my Chemical Engineering PhD program at @NotreDame. My chase has ended, but a new pursuit begins.

"Dread it, run from it, 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚 arrives all the same" - Unknown

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

💡Easy, Toretto. Sometimes you need to take your foot off the gas✋, refuel⛽ then hit the nitro🔥

💡It takes only one YES to justify the stress🎯

💡When it's your time, 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄!😤

God did!

[Max B @Lizzymaxbihie]

Always & forever ♾️❤️

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Lizzymaxbihie Thank you babe❤️

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

2025 was quite the year!

✅ Passed my First Year Research Forum @NotreDame
✅ Finished my Chemical Engineering PhD coursework with a 4.0 GPA
✅ Married my best friend 💍

From the lab to life—a time was had. Onward to 2026! 🚀

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@DiscussingFilm I’m here for her hilarious screaming!😂

[stranger things @Stranger_Things]

WILL. BYERS.

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Lizzymaxbihie @zzzgoonin The only swimming Bayek was doing was in the blood of his enemies

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

SymPOSEium

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

When you forget to set the default tipping amount to zero and get debited extra

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

The word of the day is "verdure"

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Lizzymaxbihie Thank you Liz

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@tolani_sirius @UnilagNigeria Thanks Taofeeq

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐭: 𝐀𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

Since 2019, I've been CHASING a fully-funded PhD in the US. "Armed" with a stellar undergrad result (1st Class, Petroleum and Gas Engineering @UnilagNigeria), decent test scores (110/120 in TOEFL, 321/340 and 329/340 in two instances of the GRE) and a can-do attitude, I expected a conclusion in Fall 2020. However, this story was renewed for several unsolicited seasons; 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘥'𝘴 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘺.

For years, profs and grad students in target programs reviewed my application documents but couldn't find reasons behind my rejections. Then came the desolation (not of Smaug) of watching others begin my unrealized dreams in the US. I started feeling like the MCU's Kang the Conqueror; 𝘏𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 (in Nigeria).

After 3 consecutive (Fall 2020-2022), unsuccessful application cycles, I was spent. I decided not to apply for Fall 2023 but focus on my new job. With my chakra replenished, I entered the Fall 2024 ring with more fury than Tyson could handle from Usyk - I reviewed the websites of 144 chemical engineering schools and submitted 19 applications (18 free apps, 1 paid app).

After 4 application cycles, 33 applications, 3 unfunded offers and 25 rejections, I received 5 fully-funded PhD offers for Fall 2024!
FYI: My only paid application for Fall 2024=Fully Funded Offer. Talk about ROI 😎

On 12-August-2024, I arrived for my Chemical Engineering PhD program at @NotreDame. My chase has ended, but a new pursuit begins.

"Dread it, run from it, 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚 arrives all the same" - Unknown

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

💡Easy, Toretto. Sometimes you need to take your foot off the gas✋, refuel⛽ then hit the nitro🔥

💡It takes only one YES to justify the stress🎯

💡When it's your time, 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄!😤

God did!

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@lt_withBlessing @UnilagNigeria Keep going, not just with grad school but whatever's worth pursuing.

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@KenteMaxwell @UnilagNigeria Thanks Maxwell

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Abayomi_Olat @UnilagNigeria https://t.co/yAPCa9evhQ

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@sho_rendipity @UnilagNigeria Thanks G

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Deo_Joe @UnilagNigeria Thank you Deola

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Lizzymaxbihie @UnilagNigeria Thank you Liz

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@Brown4christ @UnilagNigeria Thanks broski

[Fadeshola @thefadeshola]

@stanregie @UnilagNigeria Thank you CJ