Introduction

“Know Thyself” as the inscription on the frontispiece of the temple of Delphi proclaimed. Knowing oneself is one of the key steps to succeed both in the written application and the interview.

The starting point is that your dual degree program, like any other school for that matter, seeks individuals, not robots. Let’s reiterate this for emphasis: they want real people, not robots (and even less so Chat GPT).

In concrete terms, this means that the dual degree jury is much more interested in who you truly are, rather than a version of yourself that attempts to conform to what you think a good dual degree applicant should be.

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You almost all read The Economist, or one of the biggest publishing newspapers (The NY Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, etc.), because, for various reasons, you’ve been told it’s the reference, hence, you ought to read it. Depending on your interests, you might genuinely enjoy reading financial and economic reports. But not all of you do. And that’s okay. What matters is that you read, read, and reread, and that will only happen if you are truly interested in what you are reading. So choose a newspaper that doesn’t bore you. The only thing is : read.

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If you don’t particularly feel like getting heavily involved in various student organizations in your dual degree, you’re not obliged to claim that you’re already super committed in your high school and cannot wait to get started at uni. You can tell them, “It’s not really my thing; I prefer intellectual stimulation over associative engagement.” That’s what being oneself is all about.

It is much more effective to present yourself as you are. However, presenting yourself as you are, that famous notion of being yourself, requires some effort, especially in understanding what “being oneself” actually means.

We’re not talking about metaphysical or existential knowledge, but about having a clearer understanding of your interests, preferences, ideas, values, aspirations, etc.

For now, we’ll take it slow and fairly general. This will suffice to assist you in crafting your application. When we prepare for the interview, we’ll exaggerate a bit and delve deeper (for instance, by anticipating all those tricky questions like ‘If you could take only one book to a desert island…,’ you get the idea).

Alright, let’s engage in a bit of introspection!

✏️ NB : Introspection isn’t an exact science, so consider this chapter as a tool for reflection, not an exhaustive method. What we’re aiming to do, through a series of questions, is to help you become more aware of yourself and the reasons driving you towards Sciences Po – insights you can draw upon later.

Now, as this chapter will stir up the idea of who you are and what you want to do in life, two things:

It takes time, and it’s a step you need to revisit regularly. We emphasize this: don’t put pressure on yourself to unravel everything right at the start of your preparation. The answers will come as you get to know yourself better and gain perspective on your aspirations. To give yourself time, it’s best to have it, so we advise you to begin this introspection as soon as you can.

We don’t expect you to have definitive answers. This is crucial to understand. Don’t start stressing, for example, about not having a finely detailed career plan. We’ll come back to that, of course, but if you’re not sure exactly what you want, that’s perfectly fine! The important thing is to seriously ask yourself about your plans and show both in your application and during the interview that you’ve taken that first step in the human endeavor of finding your path (or one of your paths).

Discovering all of this is an ongoing process: sometimes we arrive at temporary answers, but it’s normal not to find absolute and immediate solutions. The key is to explore (and asking yourself a few questions is also one of the advantages of an application like this).

Module 1: Unveiling Your Identity Through Your Interests

The adage ‘Tell me what you’re interested in, and I’ll tell you who you are’ encapsulates the essence of our exploration. Acknowledging that the query regarding your identity might appear rather direct, we embark on this journey with a measured approach, proceeding incrementally, with the anticipation that it will gradually sketch a more comprehensive portrait.

Discovering Your Dual Degree Fascinations

In this section, we delve into the realms of your dual degree interests – those subjects that stimulate your intellectual curiosity and align with the historical, economic, political, and social areas of your dual degree.

Importance Of Dual Degree Interests

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Maria, an aspiring candidate, possesses a profound affinity for sustainable urban planning and environmental policies. Her passion centers on envisioning eco-friendly cities and championing policies that foster harmony between urbanization and nature. By showcasing how these interests harmonize with the dual degree’s focus on sustainable development and policy implementation, Maria paints a vivid portrait of her alignment with the program’s core values.

The Reflective Aspect: What Your Dual Degree Interests Reveal

Delving deeper, we explore how your intellectual inclinations within your dual degree’s scope offer insights into your personality. We provide examples of candidates and their interests to showcase how such preferences illuminate facets of their characters.

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Our friend Ralph, a 2019 candidate, showcased a passionate commitment to ‘animal rights’ and embraced a vegan lifestyle. His fervor for humane treatment of animals revealed his empathy, ethics, and concern for living beings. This aligned with his dual degree interests, portraying him as a compassionate and principled individual advocating for justice.

In contrast, Leo, a 2020 candidate, found captivation in bullfighting—a tradition fraught with controversy. Leo’s exploration of this subject illuminated his curiosity to engage with complex cultural narratives. This interest revealed a willingness to explore the intersections of culture, ethics, and art.

These examples underscore that your dual degree interests provide a lens through which your values and character shine. They offer the selection committee a deeper understanding of how your passions align – or contrast – with the program’s ethos.

Exercise 1: Mapping Your Dual Degree Interests

Now, it’s time to complete your list of dual degree interests. Feel free to include up to 30 topics, but even if you have 3, 4, 5, or 6 that genuinely intrigue you, that’s already a great starting point.

✏️ NB : Exploring the Notion of Self-definition

As we encourage you to identify your interests, it’s important to acknowledge a nuance. We often say that your chosen subjects define you, but this is an overstatement. When we mention that your readings or interests define you, it’s in the specific context of presenting a part of yourself to the selection committee – whether in your application or during an interview. It’s about playing the game, showcasing your facets.

Unveiling Intellectual & Personal Passions Beyond Your Dual Degree

In this section, we extend our exploration to encompass a broader spectrum of your interests and tastes, including those that are not directly aligned with Sciences Po’s academic domains.

Understanding The Interests Divide

It’s pertinent to clarify that the line between ‘dual degree interests’ and ‘non-dual degree interests’ is intentionally straightforward. This simplification aims to provide structure, a way to distinguish between your fascination with topics like World War II and your enjoyment of baked camembert. While all interests are equal in value, it’s important to recognize that, as Orwell astutely observed, ‘some are more equal than others.’ Some may naturally carry greater significance in the context of your dual degree application.

Mapping Your Broader Interests

Here, we guide you through the process of mapping out your intellectual and personal passions that extend beyond Sciences Po’s scope – tastes and fascinations that hold equal value, for they contribute to the intricate mosaic that forms your character.

The range of interests fields is wide, and may include, but is not limited to:

Uncharted Intellectual Curiosities – Etruscan vases? Periwinkles?
Art and Literature – A beloved author, a literary work that resonates.
Cinema – A preferred director or genre: it can be as wide as a love for everything Tarantino, and as specific as Lebanese cinema in the 1970s.
Movement and Expression – From dance to other forms of artistic expression – your childhood circus training that had a lasting impact on you is as valid as the symphonic orchestra you are a part of today.
Sports and Philosophy – Physical pursuits or intellectual explorations: your latest rugby achievements all the way to your interest in Nietzsche’s nihilism.
Hobbies and Passions – From knitting to culinary adventures.

For instance, my predilections encompass Eastern philosophies, psychology, and paleoanthropology. The selection of these isn’t arbitrary; they converge around a shared theme: understanding humanity. Eastern spirituality, psychology’s insights, and the study of our prehuman ancestors all seek answers about our origins, functioning, and potential self-improvement. Presented before a jury or in writing, these interests say something about me, even if it doesn’t fit exactly with the dual degree’s fields of study.

It’s paramount to understand that no preference inherently holds greater value than another. At The Prep, we’ve encountered tennis aficionados, poetry enthusiasts, Twilight devotees, pugilists, numismatists, and even connoisseurs of lucid dreaming (a personal revelation). The pivotal factor is authenticity – the source must genuinely resonate with you.

Ultimately, the goal revolves around channeling these interests to illuminate facets of your persona in your application or during the jury interaction. The selection of which to leverage or omit comes later. For now, focus on authenticity; pen down the subjects that genuinely captivate you.

Exercise 2:

Take a moment to compile your intellectual and personal interests beyond your dual degree’s purview. Embrace the diversity of your fascinations, unearthing the elements that authentically resonate with you. Remember, it’s not about the quantity but the authenticity of your connections. This exercise lays the foundation for spotlighting your unique character in your application journey.

🌟 Tip:

Don’t hesitate to ask everyone around you what they would say your interests are, as sometimes you do and like things you don’t even realize, or don’t think about. This goes for personality traits as well – this will be our next chapter.

Module 2: Understanding and Expressing Your Personality

Beyond your academic achievements and interests lies a crucial element of your application—your personality. Your unique character traits, qualities, and flaws play a pivotal role in shaping the impression you leave on the selection committee. This module is designed to guide you through a journey of introspection, self-awareness, and the art of presenting your true self.

Embracing Authenticity

The Significance of Self-Knowledge

This section highlights the importance of understanding your personality beyond surface-level attributes. We emphasize that, more than your qualities or flaws, it’s your maturity to reflect upon them that matters most. In the pursuit of authenticity, we delve into the qualities the jury might seek, such as curiosity, and the caution against undesirable traits like arrogance.

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Loïc, a 2019 applicant. The conversation navigated toward a thought-provoking question: the significance of others’ opinions in his life. While many might have faltered, offered hasty mutters, or resorted to clichéd declarations of indifference, Loïc’s response stood out. His authentic reply was, “Yes, it matters to me. I aspire to place less importance on external judgments, yet I acknowledge that people’s perceptions do have an impact on me.” This sincerity struck us, and we perceived it as a reflection of his maturity, adding depth to his candidacy.

✏️ NB :

It is not because we have found his response to be a sincere reflection of his maturity that we de facto urge Loïc to include in his essay or during his oral presentation his opinion on other people’s opinion. Rather, it is one more small step towards Loïc’s self-knowledge – we will however urge him to show the same sincerity and maturity in his presentation.

The Introspective Journey

As we proceed, remember the remarkable adaptability of human character. Our personalities can shape-shift due to experiences, education, and influences. This flexibility might lead us to adopt traits that don’t truly reflect our essence. It’s okay to question fixed notions about yourself. Self-discovery is ongoing and fluid. How you perceive yourself and how others perceive you might change from a year to another – that is called not being a stone, and it’s a good thing. Similarly, while seeking insights from close ones is valuable, remember their view isn’t definitive. Their perception doesn’t always align with your own self-image. Who you are and who you wish to showcase will in the end be a wise mixture of how you perceive yourself, how others perceive you, and how you wish to evolve.

Exercise 3: Self-Assessment

Grab a pen and paper, it’s time to embark on a journey of introspection. Follow these steps to gain deeper insights into your personality traits.

Compile Your Traits: Create a list of your personality traits. Don’t worry about categorizing them as positive or negative just yet. Write down any traits that come to mind – qualities that make you unique (but also those that you might consider mainstream (we’ll precise them later on to better suit your uniqueness)), habits that define you, and perhaps even a few challenges you’ve identified.
Question Each Trait: Once your list is ready, go through each trait individually. For every trait you’ve listed, ask yourself a crucial question: “Am I sure about this?” Reflect on the accuracy of the trait you’ve attributed to yourself. Consider whether it truly resonates with who you are at your core, or if it’s not something you’ve heard about yourself but know isn’t truly the truth.
Honest Self-Appraisal: As you evaluate each trait, be honest with yourself. Does the trait align with your thoughts, actions, and how you perceive yourself? This exercise is about self-awareness and authenticity, so strive for a genuine appraisal.
Refine Your List: As you go through the list, you might find that some traits ring true while others might need further contemplation. Don’t hesitate to refine your list by adjusting or removing traits based on your self-reflection.

Exercise 4: Personality Testing: The MBTI Test

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test is a valuable tool for self-exploration. While recognizing its limitations, the essence lies in the journey of self-discovery it initiates. Follow these steps to engage in this insightful exercise.

Take the MBTI Test: Take the MBTI test to gain detailed insights into your personality type. Reflect on the provided results and contemplate how accurately they capture your characteristics.
Self-Reflection: Review the detailed results of the MBTI test. Consider the traits, tendencies, and preferences associated with your personality type. Do you find resonance with these descriptions? Are there elements that surprise you or that you hadn’t considered before?
New Discoveries: Reflect on the journey of taking the MBTI test. Have you unearthed any novel aspects about your personality? Did the results shed light on traits you might not have previously recognized?

Exercise 5: Gaining Perspectives from Those Close to You

This exercise delves into gaining perspectives on your personality from those who know you best – your close friends and family. Engaging in this activity will provide you with fresh insights and a more comprehensive understanding of how you’re perceived by others.

Reach Out to Your Circle: Begin by selecting a few individuals from your close circle – friends, family members, or those who are familiar with you on a deeper level.
Request Descriptive Traits: Reach out to them and request that they describe you as accurately as possible. Ask them to provide a mix of traits – both positive and negative. For example, you can request 3 positive traits, 3 negative traits, or even a list of 5 traits without any categorization.
Anecdotal Evidence: Alongside each trait, encourage them to share an anecdote or a story from your experiences that justifies their choice. This will provide you with context and a deeper understanding of how you embody these traits.
Consider Career Perspectives: If you’re comfortable, ask them to suggest professions or fields where they can envision you based on the personality traits they describe. This can offer an interesting perspective on potential career paths aligned with your characteristics.
Compare and Reflect: Compare the traits your close ones provide with the traits you’ve identified about yourself. Do you notice any patterns or discrepancies? Reflect on how their observations resonate with your own self-perception.
Comfort and Growth: Understand that not everyone may be comfortable offering candid feedback, and that’s okay. Choose individuals whose insights you value and trust. Remember, growth often involves stepping slightly beyond your comfort zone.

Module 3: Unveiling Your Core Values

Embark on a journey to uncover your core values, an essential component of self-discovery. Understanding your values provides a profound insight into your identity and what truly matters to you. Let’s explore this aspect together.

Understanding Values

To begin, let’s demystify the concept of values. In essence, values represent what holds significance in our lives. As succinctly put by researchers Bardi and Schwartz in their paper “Values and Behavior, strength and structure of relations” (Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2003), values convey “what is important to us in our lives.”

Identifying Your Values

Reflect and List: Take a moment to reflect on your life, aspirations, and what resonates with you. Without any constraints, jot down a list of things that you consider important. This can encompass matters related to Sciences Po and (way) beyond.
Prioritize: Once you have a comprehensive list, it’s time to prioritize. Imagine scenarios where you have to choose between two values. For instance, “meeting new people” versus “learning new things.” Determine which value takes precedence for you and assign them a ranking.

Let’s consider this exercise within the context of your dual degree

List

– Meeting new people

– Learning new things

– Intellectual stimulation

– Earning money

– Prestige

– Teamwork

– International travel

– Making an impact

– Positive atmosphere

– Stress-free environment

Ranking

Meeting new people
Intellectual stimulation
Learning new things
Making an impact
Positive atmosphere
International travel
Teamwork
Earning money
Prestige
Stress-free environment

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Meet Alexis. In Alexis’ hierarchy of values, efficiency ranks among the top. Alexis also possesses a rather low tolerance for inefficiency. This can manifest in small daily irritations, like placing a plate with just a few crumbs on it into an oily pan (talk about frustrating cleanup!) or enduring a meeting where opinions are thrown around without progress.

Understanding this aspect of Alexis is remarkably insightful. For instance, working in an environment that involves numerous lengthy meetings wouldn’t suit Alexis’ work style. While Alexis is more than willing to lend a compassionate ear to someone discussing a concern for hours, the situation shifts when it comes to group decision-making. In such cases, Alexis values frankness in order to find a solution, and personal opinions or sentiments that stray from the subject might not hold as much weight. This isn’t a flaw, it’s simply how Alexis operates.

As might be expected, with a value like efficiency in the forefront, Alexis could encounter difficulties in settings like local organizations where decision-making is highly horizontal (such as a neighborhood meeting).

On the flip side, the value of “earning money” doesn’t hold much sway over Alexis. You won’t find Alexis excelling in the financial leadership of a company, as it wouldn’t align with their priorities.

Once you’ve ranked your values, do these two same steps with dual degree-focussed values, and general values such as empathy or honesty.
Focusing thrice on what your own values are, in a specific context or generally speaking, will help you dive deeper every time. These three lists are meant to act as a personal guideline that you can come back to each time you have a new idea of value to explore.

🌟 Tip:

The key thing to remember is that there’s no value inherently superior to another. Moreover, since your values aren’t changeable, embracing honesty about them saves you time and energy. It’s all about recognizing and embracing who you are.

Take your time with this exercise; it’s an opportunity to explore your inner compass and better understand what drives you.

Module 4: Clarifying Your Professional Path

Welcome to the section of self-discovery that delves into your professional aspirations and motivations. Understanding what you enjoy, what drives you, and why you’re considering your dual degree are essential aspects of self-awareness that will greatly enhance your application and interview experiences.

Identifying Your Passions and Desires

Let’s delve into two thought-provoking questions:

Imagine that money is not a concern. What would you spend your time doing? If basic needs like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation were provided, how would you fill your days? If your immediate response involves activities entirely unrelated to your current trajectory, it might be time to seriously contemplate this question. While we won’t urge you to abandon your dual degree, consider this an opportunity to reflect on your true passions. Remember, there’s no obligation to pursue this dual degree if it doesn’t align with your deepest aspirations.

Envision a scenario where fear is absent. Mistakes are impossible, and nothing can deter you. What would you choose to invest your time in?

✏️ NB :

As emphasized earlier, these questions don’t demand absolute answers. The exploration itself holds immense value, and your responses may evolve over time. Allow the questions to stimulate introspection, and you might uncover surprising insights.

Unraveling Your Motivations (The “Why Your Dual Degree” Inquiry)

Now, let’s delve into the essence of your motivation for choosing your dual degree. Understanding this aspect is pivotal for two reasons:

Firstly, a solid foundation in your motivations is a compelling argument in your application or interview. Keep in mind, people are drawn not just to what you do but the reason behind it.

Secondly, even if unspoken, your motivations will be sensed by the jury. It’s advantageous to be aware of them and articulate them coherently.

The question at hand: Why have you chosen this dual degree? Why are these institutions significant to you, and how does it align with your aspirations? While terms like interdisciplinary, open-mindedness, and international appeal are valid, they aren’t exclusive to this dual degree.

Let’s dig deeper:

– Is this dual degree integral to your envisioned career?

– Are you attracted to specific subjects offered here?

– Do the institutions’ atmospheres resonate with you?

– Does prestige play a role? (While not a primary argument, it’s valid)

– Are there particular professors or student groups that intrigue you?

But let’s dive even further: Why? If your motivation is to change the world, why is that your goal? Continue unraveling the layers until you reach a foundational understanding. While some answers might not be jury-impressive (“I want happiness for all” isn’t always a standout), they ground your motivations in reality.

Exploring Your Professional Trajectory (Or at Least Pondering the Question)

Many of you ask, with reason: Is a fully-formed professional plan necessary in the initial year? The answer is no. The jury doesn’t mandate it. And that’s perfectly reasonable. You’re not expected to have your life path outlined at 17.

So, why consider this question? Because it engages the jury. They’re more interested in your contemplation than an absolute answer. Demonstrating proactive consideration reflects your initiative.

Even if not mandatory, having a direction or broad area of interest will be advantageous. It solidifies your reasons for selecting your dual degree and can even bolster your argumentation. Whether you have a specific plan or a general field of interest, explore these early stages of self-understanding. This exploration will serve as a foundation for your interview strategies, as we’ll discuss in upcoming sessions. For now, let’s focus on exploring the horizons of your aspirations.

Mapping Your Professional Path

In this section, we present two distinct approaches to illuminate your journey: the intuitive path that starts from your heart and the pragmatic route guided by your intellect.

Listening to your heart

Consider the following aspirations

Extending kindness and assistance to people
Weaving narratives and sharing stories
Crafting intellectual constructs, playing with ideas, and delving into profound contemplation

First approach: Tune into your heart and instincts. Prioritize your spontaneous desires, disregarding obstacles or realism. Focus solely on your gut feelings.

Engaging your rational mind

Do certain issues intrigue you, like gender equality or environmental concerns?
Does a particular field resonate, such as education, agriculture, or energy?
Are specific roles appealing to you? Interaction, analysis, writing, taking action?
Do you lean towards global work? Collaborating extensively or working autonomously?
Is problem-solving your forte? Are you drawn to building and creating?

Quick insight: Dual degree pages frequently showcase alumni profiles, offering glimpses into their diverse and evolving career paths. This can inspire and provide a sense of reassurance.

Exercise 6:

Heart-Centered Approach: Take a moment to listen to what your heart says. Reflect on what your most spontaneous desires are without considering limitations. Jot down the activities and pursuits that resonate with your inner self.

Intellectually Guided Approach: Engage your rational, logical mind. List down potential areas of interest, whether issues, sectors, or roles, that you logically find appealing. This pragmatic exercise can unveil practical directions for your professional journey.

Conclusion

Your journey of self-exploration has equipped you with a comprehensive set of self-awareness tools. By deepening your intellectual interests, understanding your character traits, embracing your core values, revealing your deep motivations for pursuing your dual degree, and mapping out your envisioned professional trajectory, you have crafted a multidimensional perspective of your identity. This rich tapestry of self-knowledge empowers you to skillfully navigate the intricate process of composing a compelling application letter and engaging effectively during your interview. Through the synergy of these facets, a holistic and authentic portrait of your candidacy emerges, poised to leave a lasting impression and stand as a testament to your unique potential in the world of academia and beyond.

🎥Video:

Alan Watts – What Do You Desire?