Transcript UK Scholarships - Drexel University

UK Scholarships
Drexel Fellowships Office
February 2010
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Graduate school in the UK
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Taught degree vs. research degree
Residential college system, tutors.
Single cumulative exam. External examiners.
Independent work
What’s out there?
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Rhodes
Gates Cambridge
Marshall
Mitchell
www.educationuk.org
www.educationireland.ie
UK’s Education System
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What is it?
◦ Oldest, most prestigious international scholarship
◦ Oxford University
◦ Usu graduate degree, any discipline.
 MSc, Mphil, DPhil
◦ Usu 2-3 years
◦ 32 American Rhodes Scholars/year, 16 districts
 PA is District 4, with DE and VA.
 NJ is District 1, with NH, ME, RI, VT.
◦ Approx 200 Rhodes Scholars total/year.
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Special considerations?
◦ excellence in qualities of mind and in qualities of person which,
in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the
world in the decades ahead.
◦ Leadership; outward-looking
◦ Clear reason to want Oxford
◦ Student-athlete? -> Vigor
Rhodes Scholarship
www.rhodesscholar.org
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Applying
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Selection Process
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Interested?
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US citizen or…
Top student (3.7 or above) ++
18-24 years old
1000 word essay
 Interests, Aspirations, Reasons for Oxford
◦ 5-8 references
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September 1 campus deadline
University Endorsement (not nomination)
Regional Finalists
Cocktail party and rigorous interview
Admission to department
◦ Rhodes Website: www.rhodesscholar.org
◦ Oxford Website: www.ox.ac.uk.
 Residential Colleges and Academic Programs
◦ References
Applying for a Rhodes
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What is it?
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Special considerations?
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Gates Foundation
Cambridge University
Graduate school, any discipline
90-100 Gates Scholars per year (~40 US)
◦ enthusiasm, robustness of intellect, a willingness to
engage and an appropriate humility that comes from an
awareness that nothing is ever really simple.
◦ Leadership
◦ Need good program fit, reason to study at Cambridge.
◦ Focus on using education for public/social good.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
www.gatesscholar.org
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Applying
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Selection Process
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Any nationality (except UK).
Apply directly to graduate program.
500 word paragraph/personal statement.
3 letters of reference
◦ Direct apply to Cambridge. Usually Oct 15 deadline.
◦ No campus endorsements, no required campus process
◦ Top admits automatically considered. Also other Cambridge
Trust funding.
◦ Finalists, with rigorous national interview
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Interested?
◦ Gates Cambridge website: www.gatesscholar.org
◦ Cambridge website: www.cam.ac.uk
 Academic programs and Residential Colleges
 If research degree, contact faculty.
Applying for a Gates Cambridge
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What is it?
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Special considerations?
◦ British Government
◦ For Graduate school, any discipline, at any University in
the UK
◦ Usually 2 years, though new 1-year program
◦ ~40 Marshal Scholars per year
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To foster strong US-UK relations
Most academic – “seriousness of purpose”
Evidence of leadership
Good fit with program.
 Look beyond Oxford/Cambridge.
◦ Clear reason for studying in the UK
Marshall Scholarship
www.marshallscholarship.org
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Applying
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US Citizen
US degree 2008 or later
Min 3.7 GPA. Usually higher
3 references
Essays: personal statement, academic interests, why the UK
Selection Process
◦ September 1 campus deadline
◦ University nomination required (2)
◦ Finalists with rigorous regional interview
 NY Region (NY, NJ, PA, CT)
◦ University placement
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Interested?
◦ www.marshallscholarship.org
◦ Research university options. Consider partnership awards.
 Above, following links for Study in the UK
Applying for a Marshall
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What is it?
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To foster ties to Ireland among the US’ future leaders.
One year graduate school
Any University in Ireland/Northern Ireland
12 Mitchell Scholars per year
Special considerations?
◦ To introduce and connect generations of future American
leaders to the island of Ireland
◦ No heritage relationship necessary
◦ One year only
◦ Key Criteria
 Intellectual achievement
 Leadership
 Commitment to public service.
Mitchell Scholarship
www.us-irelandalliance.org
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Applying
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US Citizen, 18-30 years old
1000 word personal statement
5 letters of recommendation
Identify 3-5 specific programs
Selection Process
◦ September 1 campus deadline
◦ University endorsement required
◦ Finalist interview
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Interested?
◦ www.us-irelandalliance.org
 Research Irish/Northern Ireland university programs
 Mitchell application process
Applying for a Mitchell
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What is it?
◦ US State Department with national commissions
◦ Mutual understanding
◦ One year self-designed study, research, and/or English
teaching in over 150 countries
◦ Approx 1600 Fulbright Scholars per year
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Special Considerations
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UK extremely competitive
Good fit important: background, project, location
Affiliations
Results April-June
Fulbright Scholarship
us.fulbrightonline.org
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September 1 campus deadlines
◦ Start now
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References
◦ Talk to faculty now
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Essays
◦ Get started drafting now
Coherence of whole application
 Interviews
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◦ Campus endorsement
◦ Mock interview
Application
www.drexel.edu/fellowships
Start early!
 Three best things to do
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◦ Keep grades up
◦ Get involved
◦ Get to know faculty
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Two more good things to do:
◦ Advice on Fellowships site
◦ Summer Workshop
Start early
 [email protected]
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General Advice
www.drexel.edu/fellowships