Study Abroad: Laying the Groundwork for Possible Fellowship Applications

The following ideas may increase your chance of winning a fellowship
One of the keys to successfully obtain a scholarship or fellowship is preparation!
Scholarships and Fellowships

Most Study Abroad alumni want to go back. One way to do this is to apply for one or more of several fellowships available to graduating seniors. The most popular of these are the Fulbright, Rotary International, Freeman (for Asia only) and Durfee (for China only).

The following ideas may increase your chance of winning a fellowship:

• The Dean of the Faculty Office and faculty fellowship advisors will have specific information on each fellowship. Find out as much about these fellowships as you can before you go on your program and then be on the lookout for good ideas.
• When applying for a fellowship, your ability to demonstrate relationships with and support from host-country institutions and individuals will strengthen your application.
• The most important thing you can do is develop contacts while you are abroad. Cultivate relationships with host-nationals and organizations in the field you wish to pursue with a fellowship. Discuss your ideas with them. Ask for advice.
• Refer back to journal entries and quote them when appropriate in your fellowship application essay. This demonstrates long term interest and, perhaps, passion-important ingredients of successful fellowship applications.
• Get specific and accurate contact information for people and their institutions (phone numbers, fax number, email addresses, official titles, etc.). Ask them before you leave if they would be willing to support and/or recommend you for a fellowship.
• Keep in touch with your contacts. Send a thank you message as soon as you return home.
• When appropriate, and if communications permit, allow host-country contacts help you with your proposal. If they feel involved in the planning stage, they may offer stronger support.
• While you are still abroad, visit local institutions that sponsor specific fellowship recipients. Fulbright representatives and Rotary International members are often very willing to discuss your ideas and fellowship possibilities with you. Six months later when a bunch of applications come across their desk, yours may be the only one with a face associated with it. That may make all the difference.

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One of the keys to successfully obtain a scholarship or fellowship is preparation!

• Do not wait until your senior year to start researching programs. Several have deadlines early in the junior year, including the Truman.
• Attend the National Scholarships & Fellowships workshop each semester. CMC faculty advisors will be announced at these meetings.
• Consult the advisors for these programs for helpful suggestions regarding your application.
• Use the Internet to research other programs which may suit your interests and aspirations.
• For further information, contact the Dean of Faculty Office.

The following programs are just a sampling of the many, many opportunities that are out there. Do not limit yourself to just these programs!

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Scholarships and Fellowships:

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