How I Cracked the MLH Fellowship

Today’s going to be a different type of post than what I usually write here. Its my story of getting into the MLH Fellowship program.

Since you’re here, I’m going to assume you know what the MLH Fellowship is, if not it’s a google search away.

I’ve been applying to the MLH Fellowship program for the last 1 and a half years, in total, this was my 4th attempt. On every attempt I’ve gotten closer and closer to becoming an MLH Fellow. So, if you have to take away 1 thing from this post, it is to keep applying!

On the first attempt, the feedback I got was that my essay answers in the application process were not up to the mark.

On the 2nd one, they said that submitting a gist as the code repository was the issue.

The third one, I fixed both my shortcomings, had a phone interview, and then nothing for a month.

Until, I sent out an email to the person I had the phone interview with, thanking him for the time and opportunity, and coincidentally or not ;) got the technical interview invite the next day.

Had my technical interview which went well, and was waiting for the acceptance email, only for them to reply with .. no project match found.

In my current attempt, I made sure I did what worked on my 3rd attempt, and also I had enough experience with the application process that I knew what would come my way. So, there was no pressure at all. My interviews went well, I felt confident…