Frequently Asked Questions about applying for Prestigious Fellowships

Q:   What is a prestigious fellowship?

Q:   How do I know if I am qualified for a given fellowship?

Q:   Now that I know which fellowship I will be applying for, what is
      the application process like?

Q:   How do I write a personal statement?

Q:   How do I write a proposal?

Q:   Who should I ask for recommendation letters?

Q:   Should I ask my Senator for a recommendation?

Q:   When should I ask my recommenders for letters?

Q:   Some fellowships require both Government and also
      Community/Public Service.
      How do I distinguish between the two?

Q:   What is the Matteo Ricci Summer Fellowship?

Q:   What should I do to prepare myself for a prestigious fellowship?

Q:   If I don’t win the first time, should I reapply?

Q:    What is a prestigious fellowship?

Q:   How do I know if I am qualified for a given fellowship?

A:   You can find preliminary information on this website concerning
      the major fellowships available.  Once you have discerned which
      fellowship matches your qualifications, you should then visit the 
      official website of the fellowship.  Most fellowships provide clear
      eligibility requirements on their websites.  If you are still 
      experiencing difficulties, you should contact our office. 

Q:   Now that I know for which fellowship I will be applying, what is 
      the application process like?

A:   As you know from visiting the websites of the various fellowships,
      each application is different, but there are similarities.  Almost all
      applications require personal statements, proposals, transcripts,
      and at least two recommendation letters.  At this point, you 
      should visit the Office for Prestigious Fellowships.  Please note
      that we usually begin the application process at least two months
      prior to the actual deadlines. 

Q:   How do I write an effective personal statement?

A:   Generally, a personal statement should accomplish two goals.
      First, it should show the reader why you are the perfect candidate
      for the specific fellowship to which you are applying.  Second, it 
      should provide some insight into your unique personality in a
      captivating way.  Remember, grammar does count!  Do not be
      afraid to visit the Office for Prestigious Fellowships for advice or
      guidance.

Q:   How do I write a proposal?

A:   The proposal is the most important part of your application; in it
      you want to show clearly how your proposal fits neatly into the
      specific requirements for the given fellowship.  Therefore, take
      great care to make sure that your thesis is simply yet cogently
      stated in a compelling manner.  Very often fellowship committees
      want to know how you developed this project and how it will fit
      into your future academic or career plans.  Remember to review
      the official website for each fellowship to ascertain the feasibility
      of your project.  Most of these websites provide information about
      previous winners and their proposals.  Have others done something
      similar to your project?  Pay special attention to all the
      instructions, word/page limits, and formatting guidelines.  Again,
      remember that grammar counts!  After completing a first draft,
      please visit the Office of Prestigious Fellowships.

Q:   Who should I ask to write recommendation letters?

A:   First, read over the fellowship’s directions for recommenders.
      Make sure that the people you ask are able to provide the
      required information.  It is a good idea to give each recommender
      a copy of your proposal as well as your curriculum vitae.  If the
      application is vague about recommenders, you can combine
      academic and character references.  For example, if the
      scholarship requires three recommendations, usually two of them
      should be by academics, while the third could be by a supervisor,
      mentor, or advisor of a related internship or employment.  The
      important thing is that each recommender strongly support the
      rest of your application, so that everything presents a cohesive
      picture of you and your proposal.

Q:   Should I ask my senator for a recommendation?

A:   Only if your senator is thoroughly familiar both with you and also
      your project.  A form letter holds no weight with fellowship
      committees.  Make sure that each of your recommenders can
      provide substantive information demonstrating that you and your
      project are a perfect fit.  Never waste a letter of recommendation
      by asking someone who is unwilling or unable to support your
      application strongly.

Q:   When should I ask my recommenders for letters?

A:   Successful applicants ordinarily receive letters of recommendation
      at the conclusion of courses, internships, or jobs, while their
      qualities are still salient.  If recommenders save their letters, it is
      fairly easy for them to revise and adapt these letters according to
      your unique qualifications for the specific requirements of each
      fellowship. 

Q:   Some fellowships require both government and also
      community/public service.  How do I distinguish between the two?

A:   Most volunteer work (e.g., tutoring, feeding the hungry, school
      government, volunteer work) falls under the heading
      Community/Public Service.  Government Service refers specifically
      to those activities that are sponsored by local, state, or national
      government agencies (e.g., voter registration, campaign work,
      government internships).

Q:   What is the Campion or Matteo Ricci Summer Fellowship?

A:    A Campion or Matteo Ricci Summer Fellowship may be offered to
       gifted students who achieve a high GPA and are eligible and
       interested in preparing themselves for candidacy for prestigious
       fellowships during their tenure at Fordham.  This fellowship can be
       based on a research project and/or an ntellectually challenging or
       scholarly internship and must be sponsored and supervised by a
       faculty mentor over the course of the summer (the actual 
       duration is determined by the faculty mentor). The terms of the
       summer awards vary and are determined on a case-by-case
       basis,  but can include a small stipend or free summer housing at
       Fordham, as needed.

Q:   What should I do to prepare myself for a prestigious fellowship?

A:   Set your sights on fully developing all of your potential (academic,
      occupational, and personal).  Ultimately, one can never guarantee
      receiving a highly competitive fellowship.  Therefore, even if you
      should not obtain a given fellowship, you will still gain much in
      terms of your own personal development.  Pursuing one of these
      fellowships is perhaps the best way to discern your real interests,
      passions, qualifications, and goals. 

Q:   If I don’t win the first time, should I reapply?

A:   Yes, as long as you still fulfill the eligibility requirements for a
      given fellowship.  A second application often impresses a
      scholarship committee by underscoring your personal commitment
      to the scholarship’s mission and goals.  Moreover, post-graduation
      applications are viewed as the result of mature reflection and a
      more critical self-assessment.