National/International Fellowships and Scholarships: Application Advice and FAQ's

Timeline for Applying for Truman, Goldwater, Udall Awards (coming soon)

Writing a Strong Fellowship Application and Essays

Some Guidelines on Composing a Curriculum Vitae / Resume

What to Expect in the Interview

Frequently Asked Fellowship Application Questions

How should I begin the fellowship process?

Questions about the fellowships process

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation?
Should I ask only professors to write for me, or is it okay to have an advisor as a reference?
Should my referees write one letter of recommendation for me that I can use for each fellowship application?

Should I apply for every fellowship that interests me?
If I do decide to wait until after graduation to apply, will my chances of winning an award decrease?
If I do decide to wait until after I graduate to apply for fellowships, can I take advantage of MSU's advising network?
I have no idea which fellowships fit my background and goals. How do I know which I should apply for?
I want to talk with an adviser about a particular fellowship, but he or she is unavailable. What should I do?
Up to this point, I have had very casual but productive conversations with my Marshall and Fulbright advisers. I just realized that these individuals also write letters of recommendation for me on behalf of MSU! Should I have been more formal with them?

Technical Questions

Which applications require the GRE?
Where can I get a certificate of good health?
Where can I get passport photos?
Must I type my fellowship application? My handwriting is very neat.
Where can I get access to a typewriter?

Where do I submit my application(s)?
How many copies of my application should I submit?
Where should my recommenders send their letters? What happens if they don't arrive in time?
Most of the fellowships are only open to U.S. citizens. If you're not a U.S. citizen, what are your options?
If I need several copies of my transcript for an application, do they all need to be originals?
The application asks for copies of transcripts for all college work that I have undertaken. If I took a summer course at another university, do I really need to submit that transcript with my application materials?

1-1 How should I begin the fellowship process?

1. Conduct research. Read the Fellowship Guide carefully. Attend informational meetings. Visit specific websites for each award.

2. Register for the GRE. Some major fellowships require the general and sometimes, subject area tests. (Churchill, NSF, Gates, and others) Students applying to graduate school will need to take the GRE anyway. Visit www.gre.org.

3. Ask for references. Applications require as many as EIGHT letters of recommendation. Deadlines for some of the major fellowships occur a few weeks into the fall semester. Ask recommenders as early as possible, preferably before you (and they) leave for the summer, if they will write letters for you. Deadline for letters is the end of August!

4. Look at sample applications from the previous year's competitions. Guidelines generally remain the same each year. Acquaint yourself with what is involved in applying and prepare as much as you can in advance. Application forms are generally available online or in B-22 Eustace Cole Hall.

5. Read the essays of winning Marshall, Rhodes, and other scholarship applicants in B-22 Eustace Cole Hall. This research will give you an idea of how a successful proposal reads as you begin thinking about your own achievements and aspirations. However, don't let them intimidate you. You will bring your own special qualities to the task.

6. Look into graduate degree programs and find out what institution(s) meet your criteria. Fulbright and Marshall Applicants, especially, should research as much as possible about institutions and degree programs in foreign countries (Fulbright) and/or the UK (Marshall). Write to universities to ask for catalogs. Fulbright applicants: once the research proposal has been developed, correspond with faculty at the institution you wish to be affiliated with and obtain their support. Fellowship web sites (i.e.-the Marshall) provide some information about institutions abroad.

7. Fellowship applications should be neatly typed, word processed, or completed online. You can also ask your department or college if they have a typewriter you may use. We recommend that you apply online if appropriate or word-process the application if possible. Proofread carefully.

Questions about the application process:

2-1. Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation?

Generally speaking, the most effective reference comes from someone who knows you well and can attest to your capabilities and potential.

For the Marshall, you need 4 letters of recommendation, two of which should distinguish your academic abilities. Your faculty recommenders must have taught you in the United States, not overseas. [If you had a professor at MSU, for example, who has since taken a position at Oxford that is acceptable.]

For the Rhodes, you need 5-8 references, so use them to give the evaluation committees a sense of all aspects of your life. While you should have several academic references (at least four), you can (and probably should) also have others that attest to your character and leadership.

Keep in mind that no letter of recommendation, no matter how positive, will better your chances if it is received late. When asking for references, you must emphasize the date that it is needed. Provide the writer with an addressed and stamped envelope or offer to deliver the letter if appropriate. References are an extremely important part of any fellowship application, and you should do whatever is necessary to ensure that yours are submitted correctly.

2-2. Should I ask only professors to write for me, or is it okay to have an advisor as a reference?

An advisor who knows you well could serve as an effective referee, if needed. It is preferable to choose someone who knows you well to write on your behalf rather than someone eminent in your field who only knows you vaguely.

2-3. Should my referees write one letter of recommendation for me that I can use for each fellowship application?

No, not if you have a choice. Each competition is different in what it requests from each recommender. A generic letter of recommendation may not comment specifically enough on what needs to be addressed. If your recommenders write a separate letter for each application, you will have a more competitive entry. Also, several applications require the recommender to complete a specific cover sheet.

2-4. Should I apply for every fellowship that interests me?

Each application is extremely time-consuming. If you have the time and energy to undertake numerous fellowship applications, and you meet the criteria for applying, then you may choose to enter many competitions. Every year a few students apply for several fellowships. Given the application deadlines, however, you might increase your prospects by concentrating your efforts on one or two well-constructed applications. Remember that you can apply for most fellowships after you graduate from MSU.

2-5. If I do decide to wait until after graduation to apply, will my chances of winning an award decrease?

No. MSU's experience has been that graduating seniors and alumni have similar experiences to undergraduates applying for fellowships. In some cases, taking a year to work full-time or pursue graduate study can help you to define your objectives more clearly, and thus, improve your application.

2-6. If I do decide to wait until after I graduate to apply for fellowships, can I take advantage of MSU's advising network?

Absolutely. The Scholarship and Fellowship Coordinator is willing to review essays, answer specific questions and write institutional letters of recommendation, if appropriate. Use e-mail, phone and fax to facilitate long-distance communication.

2-7. I have no idea which fellowships fit my background and goals. How do I know which I should apply for?

Examine your goals, and decide what opportunity(ies) you would like to pursue. Then, investigate which fellowships meet your needs. Your academic performance will, to an extent, determine your eligibility. Remember that you generally need a high grade point average (at least a B+) to compete.

A meeting with Jenni Marsh, Coordinator of National/International Fellowships and Scholarships may help give you direction. Call the office (5-2326) to schedule an appointment.

Keep in mind that regardless of how well you think a fellowship may fit in with your career plans; there are other avenues to explore. Talk to your departmental advisers and the office of Career Services about alternate ways to achieve your goals. On the other hand, do not feel that a fellowship will deflect from your career goals. Indeed it may enhance them.

2-8. I want to talk with an adviser about a particular fellowship, but he or she is unavailable. What should I do?

Read the literature on the fellowship thoroughly. Go through each question on the application. During this process, write down specific questions. Contact the Honors College or Jenni Marsh’s office with your questions. Jenni will either answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate adviser.

Applying for a fellowship will demand a significant amount of independent work. Conduct research before you meet with an adviser to better prepare yourself for the discussion. Your initiative and research will often reflect the extent of your interest and the perception of you as a scholar.

2-9. Up to this point, I have had very casual but productive conversations with my Marshall and Fulbright advisers. I just realized that these individuals also write letters of recommendation for me on behalf of MSU! Should I have been more formal with them?

No. The advisers want to assist you with your application, and they can best help and represent you if you share your thoughts and intentions openly and honestly. You don't need to wear a suit.

For the Fulbright, you will have a "formal" interview, which is not really formal. Rather, it gives the adviser a more complete sense of your reasons for undertaking the project and the abilities that will enable you to successfully follow through. Hint: If you look at the Campus Committee Evaluation form that the adviser will complete for you (which is included with the application packet), you will get an idea of the kinds of questions to expect.

Technical Questions:

3-1. Which applications require the GRE?

Always check the most recent bulletin and/or call the fellowship agency to find out. A visit to the fellowships web-site might also provide answers.

Generally speaking, Churchill, DOD, Ford, Hertz, Javits, Mellon, and NSF all require the general test. Some require subject tests as well.

3-2. Where can I get a certificate of good health?

Olin Health Center will provide this service; just don't wait until the last minute to make an appointment. If the fellowship application provides you with a form to fill out then use that form!

3-3. Where can I get passport photos?

Instructional Media Services can make passport photos, as can most local 1-hour photo shops. Please check the application. The fellowship organization may or may not require a photo of a specific size.

3-4. Must I type my fellowship application? My handwriting is very neat.

You must type the application, regardless of how neat your handwriting is. The Fulbright, for example, will not accept your application unless it is typed as specified on the application form. Many fellowships now expect students to apply online.

3-5. Where can I get access to a typewriter?

You can ask your department or former residential college if they have a typewriter you may use. You can also talk to Jenni Marsh in the Honors College. She may be able to find a typewriter you may use.

3-6. Where do I submit my application(s)?

Generally, the Churchill, Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes, Goldwater, Udall and Truman applications all proceed to the appropriate committee through MSU. Please also include an MSU application cover sheet for these awards. All others, including the DOD, Hertz, NSF, Ford, and Javits applications should be mailed directly to the fellowship agency.

3-7. How many copies of my application should I submit?

Check the instructions on the form and follow them! Remember to sign your application in the designated space. An application may require you to sign each copy individually.

3-8. Where should my recommenders send their letters? What happens if they don't arrive in time?

Again, check the instructions on the form. They must arrive on time in order to ensure consideration. Provide addressed and stamped envelopes, offer to pick up and mail and/or hand deliver letters, and call your recommenders before the letter is due to confirm that your recommenders remember the deadline.

If necessary, the applicant is responsible for contacting the recommender and having the letter re-sent or for finding another recommender.

3-9. Most of the fellowships are only open to U.S. citizens. If you're not a U.S. citizen, what are your options?

With stipulations, the Gates, Rhodes, and Rotary are also open to citizens of other countries. A permanent resident may apply for the Hertz and NSF, and a naturalized resident or child of naturalized parents may apply for the Soros. Consult the applications for specific information on eligibility. You may also want to contact the fellowship office at a university in your country to get information about other opportunities.

3-10. If I need several copies of my transcript for an application, do they all need to be originals?

No. It is usually acceptable to submit one original of a transcript and photocopies thereafter.

3-11. The application asks for copies of transcripts for all college work that I have undertaken. If I took a summer course at another university, do I really need to submit that transcript with my application materials?

Yes. As you know, courses taken elsewhere do not appear on the MSU transcript. If you think that you might apply for several fellowships, you should contact the institutions where you have taken courses and request transcripts well in advance of the fellowship application deadline. In addition, the Udall and Goldwater programs require high school transcripts.

National/International Fellowships and Scholarships: Application Advice and FAQ's

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