Track
Undergraduate Track
For: Secondary school students and gap-year applicants
Outcome: Build a 6–10 program shortlist and complete the Common App or UCAS.
Mentorship
One conversation can change your application.
Get matched with a mentor who has been where you are now — and who can help you take the next step with clarity.
How mentorship works
Practical, structured, and free.
- 1
Tell us about you
Share your goals, target programs, and current stage in a short form.
- 2
Get matched
We pair you with a mentor based on your field, target country, and stage.
- 3
Start working
Schedule a first session — typically 45 minutes — and build a plan together.
- 4
Stay connected
Continue with monthly check-ins through your application cycle.
Tracks
Four mentorship tracks
Mentors are matched to the track that best fits your stage and goals.
Track
Graduate Track
For: Bachelor's graduates targeting master's or PhD programs
Outcome: Identify funded master's options, sharpen research statements, and prep interviews.
Track
Test Preparation Track
For: Students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test
Outcome: Reach the score band your target scholarships require.
Track
Refugee & Displaced Student Track
For: Students applying from refugee settlements or displacement settings
Outcome: Navigate documentation, partner programs, and verification pathways.
What a cycle looks like
A typical 6–9 month mentorship journey
Month 1
Profile & shortlist
Audit your academic profile, define realistic targets, and build a shortlist of 6–10 programs.
Month 2
Documents & tests
Plan English testing, draft your CV, and identify recommenders.
Month 3
Essay drafts
Outline and draft your personal statement and key scholarship essays.
Month 4
Feedback rounds
Two structured rounds of essay feedback — voice, structure, honesty, specificity.
Month 5
Submit
Final review of every application before it goes in. Track deadlines tightly.
Month 6+
Interviews & decisions
Mock interviews for shortlisted programs. Help comparing offers and preparing to depart.
What we expect
Mentorship is a two-way commitment
- Show up on time for sessions and do the agreed homework between calls.
- Be honest about your profile, your finances, and your timeline.
- Submit drafts at least 48 hours before review sessions.
- Stay engaged with monthly check-ins — even when life is busy.
- Pay it forward — if you receive an offer, return as a mentor when you can.
What we will not do
The limits of mentorship
- We will not write your essays for you.
- We will not promise outcomes — scholarships are decided by funders.
- We will not provide visa or immigration legal advice.
- We will not share your information with anyone you have not approved.
- We will not pretend a long-shot is a sure thing to make you feel good.
Who mentors?
The mentors behind SSSI
Current students, alumni, and admissions professionals — all volunteering their time.
Martin Kuol Kuol Chol
Founder · Lead Mentor
Jacob Thiep Madut
Co-Founder · Strategy & Content
Mentor — coming soon
Photo coming soon · slot:mentor-sa
Mentor — coming soon
STEM & scholarships
Mentor — coming soon
Photo coming soon · slot:mentor-ab
Mentor — coming soon
Refugee & displaced applicants
Want to mentor? Apply here →