Andrew

Applying for a Master's at Imperial

Having grown up and spent my entire life in California, I was curious about how approaches to healthcare, research, and disability operate differently in the UK, so decided to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship which would give me the opportunity to do my postgraduate studies abroad.  

The application process for the Fulbright Scholarship involved two main steps. First, I created a research proposal based on work conducted by researchers at Imperial, who agreed to support me if I were accepted to the programme. Then, I completed an interview with the Fulbright Commission. My top tip for identifying and choosing scholarships is to talk to alumni at your institution and reach out to your chosen faculty at Imperial who are always willing to help! 

When searching for universities, I found that Imperial met all my criteria and was the perfect place for me because of its central location in a diverse city, the cutting-edge research opportunities available and inclusive student organisations. 

Joining the Imperial community

Moving to an entirely new country so far from home was quite daunting. However, I knew that Imperial was right for me when I met other students in my course and joined student organisations such as the Imperial Medics Varsity tennis team.

As a member of the Imperial Medics varsity team, I competed alongside other Imperial students and have built life-long friendships both on and off the tennis court. From going on trips to Tenerife to watching Wimbledon in person, I’ll never forget the memories I have made as a member of this inclusive team. 

To make friends as a postgraduate student, I’d recommend attending the club and societies fair at the beginning of term. Investing in the student organisations on campus early on is the best way to meet new people with shared interests! 

One of Imperial’s greatest strengths is the diversity among the student community. During my time at Imperial, I’ve engaged with people from all over the world. Through our conversations, I’ve been able to learn about their backgrounds and share my own experiences coming from the US. By interacting with people who challenge my pre-existing beliefs, I’ve learned to appreciate different perspectives and cultures as an Imperial student and beyond. 

The MRes Bioinformatics and Theoretical Systems Biology course

The most rewarding element of my course has been the knowledge I have gained in a field that’s entirely new to me, along with the collaborative, interdisciplinary research I have been able to conduct with renowned scientists at Imperial.

For example, during a group project with other Bioinformatics students, I used single-cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to enhance neuroblastoma prognostic accuracy. For my dissertation, I’m conducting an independent research project with international collaborators to predict whether missense variants are clinically pathogenic on AI-generated protein structure predictions. 

The most challenging part of my course has been adjusting to differences in the UK education system. At the beginning, the focus on independent study took a bit of getting used to, so I had to be more proactive in reaching out for help. But Imperial faculties and staff are very approachable and more than willing to support or connect you to the right resources.  

I'm now also well-equipped with the essential computational skills to develop novel treatments related to human restoration and rehabilitation.