FAQ

Eligibility Questions

Am I eligible to apply for the mentorship if I'm in the final year of my bachelor's program but plan to enroll in a master's program?

Students admitted to a master's program but not yet enrolled may be considered for the mentorship.

Can individuals who are part of a master’s research program but do not have a full need-based scholarship apply?

Since this is a limited opportunity, students with need-based scholarships or those coming from public universities will be prioritized. Other students may be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be considered, add a sentence explaining your situation to your personal statement.

Is this opportunity open to students from all countries, or are there specific countries that are eligible under the Swiss Excellence Scholarship?

There are specific countries covered by the Swiss Excellence Scholarship. The list of countries can be found here. 

Application Process

If I have questions throughout the process, can I reach out via email or schedule a meeting to discuss my application?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of emails and requests, Dr. Piccolo is not able to commit to responding to emails regarding the application process or to offer individual meetings.

Will reaching out to Dr. Piccolo via email increase my chances of getting selected?

No. Selection will be done exclusively using the forms submitted via the official link.

Are there any fees associated with my application in the mentorship process?

There are no fees to apply and no fees will be charged from the selected mentee for the mentorship program.

Please note that university application fees may apply. If so, payment is due to the university not to Dr. Piccolo.

When should I expect to hear back regarding the result of the selection process?

The selected and waitlisted individuals will be informed via email by May 30, 2024.

If not selected, will I get feedback on my application?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, no feedback will be provided for non-selected individuals.

Mentorship Details

What does the mentorship program involve, and how long does it last?

The mentorship involves guidance with preparing documents as well as receiving intensive feedback on the research proposal.

The program will last until the successful submission of the mentee’s application.

How frequent will the mentorship sessions be, and what's the expected commitment from the mentee?

That is flexible and will depend on how much the mentee needs, but the mentee can expect two monthly meetings with Dr. Piccolo until the submission of the application.

Mentees are expected to timely submit documentation (including the research project).

Can I say I am a student at Harvard University or Columbia University if selected for this program?

No. This program is not within the context of Dr. Piccolo’s employment at either university.

The mentee will not be granted a Harvard ID (HUID) nor a Columbia ID (CUID).

Outcome and Benefits

What are the expected outcomes of this mentorship for the selected mentee?

The main product will hopefully be a strong research project. While the main objective is support those applying for a Swiss Excellence Scholarship, most funding agencies require the submission of research projects, and it is possible that the same project be used for different submissions.

Can participating in this mentorship increase my chances of receiving the Swiss Excellence Scholarship?

This mentorship is not done in partnership with the Swiss Confederation.

Writing a solid research proposal is part of a strong application and this process will hopefully increase your chances of getting a scholarship.

Will there be financial support for the payment of fees related to the applications at the universities and funding agencies included but not limited to application fees, translations, validations, visa application, etc.?

Unfortunately there is no financial support offered for these fees.

There are grants that the mentee can apply for to help cover the costs and Dr. Piccolo will provide guidance with regards to that.

Are there any success stories from previous mentees who have gone through this mentorship program?

Dr. Piccolo has supported a few other applicants in an informal way and all of them were awarded this or other similar scholarships.