Application Process

The essays are arguably the most important part of the application. Your GPA shows that you are a great student and your resumé provides an overview of your achievements, but the essays are the opportunity to explain to the selection committee your motivations and rationale for why you are the best candidate. 

The most common essays are a Statement of Grant Purpose and a Personal Statement:

A Statement of Grant Purpose is similar to a cover letter. This is where you make the case for why you are a great candidate, describe your short- and long-term goals, how you align with the mission and values of the scholarship or fellowship, and how you will contribute to the program. 

The Personal Statement is the opportunity to tell your story, share influential past experiences, and your future goals. A common mistake is to write about your academic achievements or make this narrative a continuation of the Statement of Grant Purpose. In most cases, this is not the goal of a personal statement. The selection committee wants to know who you are and how your personal experiences have shaped you and have led you to pursue a specific award. 

The best application essays are honest, exhibit deep reflection, and involve several drafts and rounds of feedback. Before you start writing, think about your rationale for applying, and how the award will help you achieve your career goals and further your personal development. Prepare a first draft. At this point, don’t worry about the length of your essay; if you go over the specified essay length, it is easier to delete than to add. When you have a solid draft, seek feedback from at least three different people. The Fellowship Director will read it and provide feedback, but it is important that a mentor or faculty member in your field of study reads them as well . In the case of the Personal Statement, you may ask a family member or a person who knows you well outside school to read and provide feedback on your essay.

Many fellowship applications can be long and complicated. Remember that the Fellowships Office is here to support you during the application process.

It goes without saying that honest, articulate, informed letters of recommendation are crucial to a successful application, and thus the recommender, whether a professor, SJU administrator or coach, should be chosen with great care. First, consult the award page to confirm the number of recommendations required, as well as the type of recommenders. Whereas some awards ask all recommenders to be faculty members, others require a letter from an individual who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic accomplishments.

Above all, make sure that the recommender actually knows you and your academic achievements. If three letters of recommendation are needed, then you might select three individuals who know differing, but essential, dimensions of your life and work. It’s prudent for one of the recommenders to be a faculty member outside of your major (unless the award requires that all letters are from your field). This will provide the evaluators with a multifaceted perspective of your academic achievements and personal character.

You should approach potential recommenders four to six weeks before the deadline. A short chat in the corridor or a brief email is not the best approach. A visit to the person in question will give you a chance to explain what you are applying for and the timetable for submitting the application. You should supply each recommender a description of the award, your proposal, and your resumé, in order to give them the specifics necessary to write a persuasive letter of recommendation. At times, a well-crafted letter of recommendation can offset any perceived deficiencies; likewise, a mediocre letter can lessen the chances of a promising student receiving the desired fellowship or scholarship.