Adewale Babatunde Overcomes Adversity: Earns Scholarship for Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University
The universities that recognized his potential include the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Notre Dame, University of Florida, University of Iowa, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Northeastern University, and Cornell University.
AKACHI NOEL 
In an inspiring tale of resilience, Adewale Babatunde, a brilliant Nigerian scholar, has emerged victorious after facing rejection from two prominent U.S. universities. Adewale, with an exceptional 4.90 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from the University of Lagos, persevered to secure a scholarship for a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University in New York.
Despite encountering setbacks with rejections from two leading energy renewable graduate programs in the United States, Adewale harnessed determination and optimism. He decided to expand his horizons and applied to multiple universities across the U.S., choosing programs that aligned with his background in Petroleum Engineering.
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Reflecting on his journey, Adewale shared on LinkedIn, “It was not an easy decision, and I struggled to make it look natural to well-meaning folks." Undeterred by previous setbacks, he leveraged his remarkable academic achievements, including a 4.90/5.00 CGPA, GRE score of 332/340, and TOEFL score of 109/120.
Applying to 13 schools for the Fall 2022 cycle proved to be a transformative decision. Adewale received fully-funded offers from eight prestigious U.S. institutions, covering tuition, health insurance, and living expenses. The universities that recognized his potential include the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Notre Dame, University of Florida, University of Iowa, The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Northeastern University, and Cornell University.
Choosing Cornell University in New York for his Ph.D. studies in Chemical Engineering, Adewale expressed gratitude to friends, mentors, and impactful organizations that provided mentorship support. He emphasized the significance of his journey, stating, "Considering my background and upbringing, it really has been quite the journey, and I am truly grateful and indeed proud of how far I have come."
Adewale's story serves as an inspiration, underscoring the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, and highlights the transformative impact of education on an individual's life.
