Admissions committee
← Interview review

Zainab Okafor

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Nigeria · WAEC and A-Levels, AAB · Native English

Interviewed 12 October 2026 at 8:52 · 6 min

Summary

Zainab showed sustained, self-driven interest in chemistry, beginning with a classroom indicator experiment and continuing through independent study and a persistent science fair project. The applicant also took a clear initiative in organising a neighbourhood clean-up that drew about fifteen volunteers.

Check before deciding

  • The applicant's account of the chemistry profession is general, so the committee may want to probe day-to-day lab realities further.
  • Reasons for choosing Khalifa University rely on what the applicant read, with no sign of a personal connection to the institution.

Khalifa University interview criteria

  1. Proficiency in English communication

    4/5

    Zainab answered clearly and fluently throughout, with only minor fillers and no comprehension issues.

    “Also the teaching is in English, which is good for me.”

    Zainab, in the interview

  2. Familiarity with the relevant profession

    4/5

    The applicant described the core lab routine and teamwork realistically and backed it with a concrete science fair project, though the day-to-day picture was tentative.

    “I think a lot of it is lab work, right? Running experiments, measuring things, and then writing reports about what happened.”

    Zainab, in the interview

  3. Commitment to pursue a professional degree program

    5/5

    The applicant has pursued chemistry self-directedly since SS2, through an online organic chemistry course, a science club, and tutoring, and described persisting through repeated failures.

    “So I kept asking questions after class.”

    Zainab, in the interview

  4. Reasons for choosing Khalifa University

    4/5

    The applicant gave specific reasons (early lab access, English-medium teaching, Abu Dhabi's science and energy sector), though they were drawn from reading rather than personal contact.

    “Khalifa is a research-focused university, and that students can get involved in labs early, not just in final year.”

    Zainab, in the interview

  5. Evaluation of potential leadership capabilities

    5/5

    The applicant clearly initiated a community clean-up, explained the reasoning behind taking the first step, and reported a measurable result of about fifteen volunteers.

    “Nobody was organising anything, so I went to my neighbours and asked if they could help with a clean-up.”

    Zainab, in the interview

Full transcript

20 turns
  1. Nura

    Hi Zainab, I'm Nura, and I'll be doing your Khalifa University admissions interview today. It takes about six minutes and there are no trick questions. To start, what first got you interested in Chemistry?

  2. Zainab

    Hi Nura, thank you. Um, I think it started in SS2, when our chemistry teacher did a practice with indicators, and the colour changed in the test tube. I was like, wait, why is that happening? So I kept asking questions after class.

  3. Nura

    What does someone with a chemistry degree actually do day to day?

  4. Zainab

    Okay, so... I think a lot of it is lab work, right? Running experiments, measuring things, and then writing reports about what happened. Maybe also working with a team, because not everything works the first time.

  5. Nura

    Can you give me one specific example from your own work?

  6. Zainab

    Yes. For my science fair project I made a plastic film from cassava starch. I buried small pieces in soil and checked them every week to see how fast they broke down. Some did not break down at all, so I had to change the amount of glycerol.

  7. Nura

    What have you done outside class to explore chemistry?

  8. Zainab

    Um, I completed an online course on organic chemistry, and I also joined a science club where we did a lot of small projects. And I helped some JSS students with titration practice, which, honestly, I think I learned more from than they did.

  9. Nura

    Which part of that did you find hardest?

  10. Zainab

    The online course, I think. There were no real labs, so I had to imagine the reactions. It was hard to picture the mechanisms, so I drew them on paper again and again until it made sense.

  11. Nura

    Why Khalifa University and not another university?

  12. Zainab

    So, I read that Khalifa is a research-focused university, and that students can get involved in labs early, not just in final year. Also the teaching is in English, which is good for me. And I like that it is in Abu Dhabi, where there is a lot happening in science and energy.

  13. Nura

    Can you tell me about a time you led others or took the first step?

  14. Zainab

    Yes, last year in my area the drainage was blocked with plastic bags and it was flooding when it rained. Nobody was organising anything, so I went to my neighbours and asked if they could help with a clean-up.

  15. Nura

    What made you decide to take that first step?

  16. Zainab

    Hmm... I think I was tired of waiting for someone else. And my mum always says if you see a problem, you should not just complain about it. So I wrote a message in our community group, and about fifteen people came on Saturday.

  17. Nura

    Is there anything you want the committee to know about you?

  18. Zainab

    Um, I think I am someone who likes to keep trying when something does not work. My project failed many times before it worked. I want to bring that same patience to university, and to chemistry.

  19. Nura

    Thank you, Zainab. That concludes your interview, and the committee will be in touch with you.

  20. Zainab

    Thank you, Nura. I really enjoyed talking with you.