What is an institutional endorsement?
For many scholarships, applicants must receive the endorsement of the
Dartmouth College Committee on Graduate Fellowships. This institutional
endorsement means that a fellowship applicant is submitting their application
with the official approval of their college or university, administered through
our office. An institutional endorsement usually indicates that a fellowship
nominee has gone through an internal selection process here at Dartmouth.
What is a nomination?
A nomination indicates that a student has been selected by their institution
to go forward in the competition from a general pool of applicants. A nominated
student may be the same as a finalist, depending on the terms of the fellowship
selection process. Certain fellowships require a "nomination"
process. This means that Dartmouth College does a preliminary selection among
the applicant pool and nominates candidates not exceeding the number allowed by
the fellowship (numbers may vary according to state or region).
What is a Preliminary Application? And which fellowships require it?
We require a preliminary application for some of the major fellowships: the
Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell and Fulbright Scholarships. A preliminary
application is a complete application, including transcript and letters of
recommendation. This is due to Scholarship Advising in the Spring Term before
the application deadline (check our website for the preliminary deadline).
What is the purpose of the Preliminary Application?
The preliminary application serves as a starting point for the scholarship
application process. The preliminary applications are reviewed over the summer
by the Committee on Graduate Fellowships, and applicants are provided with
feedback and suggestions for revision on statements, proposals, and other
application materials. You will have time to make changes and edits to your
application before the campus deadlines for these grants.
Can I still apply if I miss the Preliminary Application deadline?
Yes, but you must contact the Scholarship Advising Office immediately to
catch up and begin the application process.
What is the difference between an internal and official deadline?
An official fellowship deadline is the date established by the fellowship
foundation for the receipt of all application materials. An internal deadline
(campus deadline) is the date set by the Scholarship Advising office to receive
the completed application, including letters of recommendation, transcripts,
the final version of the personal statement, and any other required application
materials. The internal deadline is usually one month prior to the official
deadline so that the Committee on Graduate Fellowships can read the application
files and select Dartmouth's nominees. The office must also prepare and mail
the application materials before the official deadline. Both internal and
official deadlines are set in stone.
When should I start looking into scholarships and fellowships?
It's never too early to begin the fellowship process! Once you begin to
consider your post-graduation options, look into the different programs and
opportunities that are offered. As a sophomore, you should begin honing your
interests and investigating possible fellowship opportunities. Even as a
first-year, however, you can prepare for possible fellowships by doing well in
your courses, exploring a wide variety of fields, building relationships with
faculty, and meeting with the Scholarship Advisor.
I am a sophomore (or a junior) and am thinking of going to graduate school.
Are there any fellowships I can apply for now?
Yes. There are several scholarships for sophomores and juniors, some of them
offer a scholarship award during undergraduate years, some for graduate school,
and some for both. Check our scholarship listing or contact the Scholarship
Advising office for more information.
Can I apply for more than one fellowship? Would it hurt my chances?
You can apply for as many fellowships as you would like; there is no limit
and it does not hurt your chances to apply for multiple awards. In fact, some
fellowships, though distinct, overlap in terms of field or type of grant, so it
would make sense to apply for all that apply to your interests and goals. On
the other hand, because each fellowship is different in style and focus it
makes sense to identify the ones that best suit your credentials and interests
and focus your energies on producing the strongest possible application for
those rather than spreading yourself too thin. Throwing as many applications
into the mix as you can to see what happens is not necessarily the right
approach.
What are my chances of winning x, y, or z fellowship?
There are many factors that influence the success or failure of any
fellowship application. It is useful to carefully consider the criteria for
selection for the particular fellowship in which you are interested. If you
feel that you meet these criteria and you work hard on presenting yourself well
in the application, you should seriously consider applying; if you do not
apply, you cannot win. It is also important to keep in mind that many awards
are so competitive that in the end the chances of winning are by definition
marginal.
For what kinds of fellowships do I qualify?
Qualifications are based on eligibility and criteria. You qualify to apply
for any fellowship for which you meet the eligibility requirements, i.e.,
citizenship, class year, field of study, age, and GPA. You may technically
qualify for a given fellowship, but you also need to determine if you meet the
criteria for selection. Browse our Scholarship List to learn more about
available opportunities.
I have an independent project that I would like to do after graduation. Are
there any fellowships to support this?
Yes, Dartmouth has fellowships for independent projects either abroad or in
the US. Check our scholarship listings under Dartmouth Grants for Graduate
Study or Research for more information.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I still apply for fellowships?
Yes. Although most fellowships are for US citizens or permanent residents,
there are a number of grants for foreign nationals as well. Additionally, there
are many grants (Rhodes, Fulbright, DAAD, etc.) where you can apply through
your home country. There are several fellowships for Canadian citizens in
particular.
Does it matter whether I apply from New Hampshire or my home state?
Some fellowships include a regional application process, and you may have
the choice to apply from either your home state or New Hampshire, where you are
attending college. The Scholarship Advising office will work with each
applicant to determine the best state from which to apply, considering your own
strengths and the characteristics of the regional competition.
I'm studying abroad. Can I apply for a fellowship? How?
Even if you're studying abroad, you can still apply for fellowships. If you
are leaving before the process begins, contact us before your departure so that
you can get all the relevant information. If you are abroad when you decide to
apply, email us and we can send you information and begin working with you.
Many applications are now online and can be completed from anywhere. The most
important thing is to stay in contact by email or phone with the Scholarship
Advising office as well as with your faculty recommenders.
How do I go about researching my program of study abroad?
To determine which international school is best for you, begin your search
on the Web, using some of the resources listed on this site. Go to the
universities' own websites to learn more about their curricula and pedagogy,
and perhaps most importantly, contact faculty with whom you would like to work,
both in your department here and in the schools you are researching. Professors
are open to your communication and are often happy to learn about your research
interests and offer their own guidance and suggestions.
How long is the application process?
Many application deadlines are up to a year or longer in advance of the
fellowship period. Monitor our website and that of other sources on campus.
Keep a calendar of upcoming deadlines. Meet with the Scholarship Advisor well
in advance and be patient.
How many drafts should I prepare of my personal statement?
The quick answer: as many as you need! While no applicant goes through the
same process, most will end up writing 10-12 drafts before the final version is
produced. Each draft ends up exploring different narratives, different
techniques, and different emphases. The process of rethinking and revising will
help you hone your focus and strengthen the application as a whole. The fruit
of your labors is a statement that demonstrates both your intellectual
maturation and the development of your persuasive skills.
Who should read my personal statement?
When it comes to reading and editing the personal statement, the more eyes,
the better. Submit your work to the Scholarship Advising office, and also ask
your friends, parents, professors, and mentors to read it. They will let you
know if it truly reflects who you are, and clearly defines where you want to go
and why. Other readers will be able to spot areas in need of improvement that
may escape your attention.
Who is available to help me with my writing?
The Scholarship Advising office can put you in touch with the Writing Editor
who can help you with your writing skills, style and polish.
How many letters of recommendation do I need?
Scholarships generally require two-eight letters of recommendation. As each
scholarship has different criteria for selection and a specified number of
recommendations, you should read the application instructions carefully when
thinking about whom to ask for letters of support. Generally most or all of
these recommendations should come from faculty members with whom you have taken
classes.
Whom should I ask for recommendations?
Scholarship selection committees depend heavily on these letters to gain
insight into applicants' personal strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments.
This kind of information cannot be readily gleaned from transcripts and test
scores, so it is in your best interest to help your recommenders write the most
accurate and detailed letters possible. Make your choices carefully, gathering
strong evaluations from persons who have had an opportunity to observe your
academic ability and your personal qualities.
Can a TA write a letter of recommendation for me?
It is almost always preferable for a professor to write your letter of
recommendation. Professors who have taught undergraduates for a number of years
have a larger context in which to place an applicant, and can offer a
perspective that a graduate student cannot. The Scholarship Advising office
works with applicants to determine the most appropriate roster of
recommendation writers for each student.
What is the purpose of the Committee on Graduate Fellowships
interview?
Some fellowships require that a campus committee interview applicants for
the purposes of nomination or endorsement by Dartmouth College. The interview
allows the CGF to evaluate your proposal and you as a candidate for a
particular fellowship. The interview is also designed to better prepare you for
the actual interview, if one is required.
Where can I find copies of winning applications?
There are binders with copies of winning applications in our office for your
review. These materials cannot leave the premises, and we cannot make
photocopies.
Are there other resources on campus to support my fellowship efforts?
Click here
for a list of other offices that handle fellowship and grant opportunities.
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