Mitchell Scholarship
Process
Eligibility:
One year of postgraduate study in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Must be under the age of 30 and a U.S. citizen.
Who they are looking for:
The Selection Committee's overriding interest is the applicant's record of academic excellence, leadership, and community service. They look for persuasive, documented evidence of achievement in these three areas, and all three fields are equally important criteria for the Mitchell Scholarship. The Committee also looks at personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others, which indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society.
"Priority" Deadline June 2, 2008:
Students are encouraged to submit a priority application for the Mitchell Scholarship. The priority deadline is June 2, 2008 for students wishing to study in Ireland or Northern Ireland in 2009-10. University faculty and staff who are familiar with the Mitchell Scholarship will review materials received by this date, while only The Office of Prestigious Scholarships will review materials submitted after this date. In either case, we will provide feedback on your application and are willing to work with you through the summer on subsequent revisions. No endorsement decisions will be made based on priority applications.
Please submit the following requested information to the Scholarships Office (with the exception of the Choice of University Statements, one set may be submitted covering multiple scholarships) at topscholars@illinois.edu or 807 South Wright Street, Fifth Floor, MC-317:
- Transcripts from all colleges attended (photocopies acceptable)
- 5-6 Letters of Recommendation (drafts acceptable)
- Resume
- Personal Statement of 1,000 words (Personal Statement should be in 12 point font and double spaced)
- Choice of University Statements
Further information about priority deadline requirements
REQUIRED Campus Deadline 12:00 Noon August 26, 2008:
Whether or not you turned in a priority application, a complete Mitchell application must be submitted to The Office of Prestigious Scholarships in order to be considered for University of Illinois endorsement (a requirement to move forward in the competition). Based on your submittal and an interview, a University of Illinois Scholarships Selection Committee will determine your endorsement. The University will endorse those candidates the Committee feels have the potential to be Mitchell Scholars; up to a handful of applicants will receive this endorsement (there is no limit on the number of endorsements, but the committee is quite judicious). The Office of Prestigious Scholarships also may offer some feedback on your application, based on comments from Committee members.
Required information:
- Transcripts from all colleges attended (photocopies acceptable-- one set may be submitted covering multiple scholarships).
- 5 Letters of Recommendation particular to the student's Mitchell application. Letters should be written to the attention of the "Mitchell Scholarship Selection Committee." In addition, at least three of the letters must be from those you have done academic work with at the university level.
- A printout of your complete Mitchell Scholarship application (including application form and personal statement, but no photos or copies of your birth certificate needed at this time). Do not submit the application online at this time, as you will be unable to make any changes after doing so.
Those students who have been endorsed individually need both to submit their application online (with any revisions) and ensure that letter of recommendation writers submit their letters online by October 6. In addition, an applicant must ensure that the following materials are received by the Foundation by October 6: all original transcripts (and 9 copies of each), a copy of your birth certificate or passport, and 10 passport-size photos with your signature on the back of each. Once letter of recommendation writers hear from the Scholarships Office that a candidate has been endorsed, they are asked to submit their letters (with any updates) directly to the US-Ireland Alliance online. The letters of recommendation should be specifically tailored toward your application as a Mitchell Scholar and must be submitted online prior to October 6, 2008. Letters should be written to the attention of the "Mitchell Scholarship Selection Committee." The Office of Prestigious Scholarships would appreciate a copy of all final materials (including letters) prior to submission.
The Final Stages:
The Office of Prestigious Scholarships submits an official online University Endorsement Letter to the US-Ireland Alliance. A semifinalist interview may or may not be conducted on October 30-31, but in any case, shortlisted candidates will participate in a finalist interview on November 21-22 in Washington, DC. The Office of Prestigious Scholarships will coordinate mock interviews for those students called to an interview. The final selection will be announced the day after the interviews.
General Application Tips:
Review general tips and view sample application materials
Students should have multiple universities in mind as the Mitchell Scholarship may send no more than two scholars to any one institution. Applicants are encouraged to contact their choice departments or potential mentors in Ireland. The Selection Committee is looking for students who have made an impact; those who are difference-makers and engaged.
Recommendation Letters: At least three of the letters need to be written by people from whom you have received undergraduate or graduate instruction. Please do not have your letter of recommendation writers submit their letters online until after you are endorsed as a candidate.
Advice for Writing Letters of Recommendation
Mitchell Website and Application:
For official information on the Mitchell Scholarship (which supercedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please go to:
www.us-irelandalliance.org/
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David Schug and Laura Hastings, Directors The Office of Prestigious Scholarships Fifth Floor, Illini Union Bookstore, MC-317 807 South Wright Street Champaign, IL 61820 Phone: (217) 333-4710 Fax: (217) 217-244-4851 topscholars@illinois.edu |
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