How should I begin the fellowship process?

1. Conduct research. Read the Fellowship Guide carefully.

Attend information meetings. Visit www.princeton.edu/odoc/student_funding/fellowships_and_grants/postgraduate and other specific sites. Applying for a fellowship demands a significant amount of independent work. Conducting research before you meet with an adviser will better prepare you for the discussion. Often, this research and your initiative will reflect the extent of your interest and the perception of yourself as a scholar.

2. Don’t hesitate to ask for references.

Applications require two to eight letters of recommendation. Deadlines for some of the major fellowships occur a few weeks into the fall semester. Ask recommenders as early as possible, preferably before you (and they) leave for the summer, if they will write letters for you.

3. Look at sample applications from the previous year’s competition.

Guidelines generally remain the same each year. Acquaint yourself with what is involved in applying and prepare as much as you can in advance. Application forms are generally available online.

4. Read the essays of winning Luce, Marshall, ReachOut 56/81, and Rhodes applicants in 409 West College.

Winning Fulbright essays are located in E14 Dillon Court East. This research will give you an idea of how a successful proposal reads as you begin thinking about your own achievements and aspirations. However, do not let them intimidate you. You will bring your own special qualities to the task.

5. Look into graduate degree programs and find out what institution(s) meet your criteria.

Fulbright and Marshall applicants, especially, should research as much as possible about institutions and degree programs in foreign countries (Fulbright) and/or the U.K. (Marshall). Write to universities to ask for catalogs. Fellowship websites (i.e., the Marshall) provide some information about institutions abroad and both the Office of Career Services and Firestone Library can provide additional resources and find out what institution(s) meet your criteria. Fulbright applicants: once the research proposal has been developed, correspond with faculty at the institution you wish to be affiliated with and obtain their support.

6. Fellowship applications should be neatly typed, word processed, or completed online, regardless of how neat your handwriting is.

Typewriters for student use are available in the Center for Jewish Life by appointment only by calling 8-1153 or 8-3635; and in Career Services available during business hours only. The front desk will direct you to its location. A typewriter also is available at the Princeton Public Library, on the second floor, which is located on Witherspoon Street. Anyone operating it must be familiar with using a typewriter, because they are not able to offer assistance in its use. You can also ask your department or former residential college if they have a typewriter you may use. We recommend that you apply online if appropriate or word-process the application if possible. Proofread carefully.

Questions about the application process:

1. Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation?

Generally speaking, the most effective reference comes from someone who knows you well and can attest to your capabilities and potential.

For the Marshall you need four letters of recommendation, two of which should distinguish your academic abilities. Your faculty recommenders must have taught you in the United States, not overseas. If you had a professor at Princeton, for example, who has since taken a position at Oxford, that is acceptable.

For the Rhodes you need five to eight references, so use them to give the evaluation committees a sense of all aspects of your life. While you should have several academic references, you should also have others that attest to your character and leadership.

For the Fulbright you must select people who can comment specifically on your project proposal and your ability to carry it out. Thus, your referees should know you well and have the ability to evaluate the quality and feasibility of your project.

Keep in mind that no letter of recommendation, no matter how positive, will better your chances if it is received late. When asking for references, you must emphasize the date that it is needed. Provide the writer with an addressed and stamped envelope, or offer to deliver the letter if appropriate. References are an extremely important part of any fellowship application, and you should do whatever is necessary to ensure that yours are submitted correctly.

2. Should I ask only professors to write for me, or is it okay to have a preceptor as a reference?

A preceptor who knows you well could serve as an effective reference. It is preferable to choose someone who knows you well to write on your behalf rather than someone eminent in your field who only knows you vaguely.

3. Should my referees write one letter of recommendation for me that I can use for each fellowship application?

No, not if you have a choice. Each competition is different in what it requests from each recommender. A generic letter of recommendation may not comment specifically enough on what needs to be addressed. If your recommenders write a separate letter for each application, you will have a more competitive entry. Also, several applications require the recommender to complete a specific cover sheet.

4. Should I apply for every fellowship that interests me?

Each application is extremely time-consuming. Given the application deadlines, however, you might increase your prospects by concentrating your efforts on one or two well-constructed applications. On the other hand, you could find that you are in a “groove” and are able to do several applications while focused on the task. Remember that you can apply for most fellowships (except the Dale, Labouisse, ReachOut 56/81, and Sachs) after you graduate from Princeton.

5. If I do decide to wait until after graduation to apply, will my chances of winning an award decrease?

No. Princeton’s experience has been that graduating seniors and alumni have similar experiences to undergraduates applying for fellowships. In some cases, taking a year to work full time or pursue graduate study can help you define your objectives more clearly, and thus improve your application.

6. If I decide to wait until after I graduate to apply for fellowships, can I take advantage of Princeton’s advising network?

Absolutely. Fellowship advisers are willing to review essays, answer specific questions, and write institutional letters of recommendation, if appropriate. Use e-mail, phone, and fax to facilitate long-distance communication.

7. I have no idea which fellowships fit my background and goals. How do I know which I should apply for?

Examine your goals, and decide what opportunity(ies) you would like to pursue. Then investigate which fellowships meet your needs. Your academic performance will, to an extent, determine your eligibility. Remember that you generally need a high grade point average (at least a B+) to compete.

A meeting with Dean Ordiway may help give you direction. Call the office (extension 8-1998) to schedule an appointment.

Keep in mind that regardless of how well you think a fellowship may fit in with your career plans, there are other avenues to explore. Talk to your departmental advisers and the Office of Career Services about alternate ways to achieve your goals. On the other hand, do not feel that a fellowship will deflect from your career goals. Indeed, it may enhance them.

8. I want to talk with an adviser about a particular fellowship, but she/he is unavailable. What should I do?

Read the literature on the fellowship thoroughly. Go through each question on the application. During this process, write down specific questions. Contact Dean Ordiway’s office with any questions. Dean Ordiway will either answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate adviser.

Applying for a fellowship will demand a significant amount of independent work. Conduct research before you meet with an adviser to better prepare yourself for the discussion. Your initiative and research will often reflect the extent of your interest and the perception of you as a scholar.

9. Up to this point, I have had very casual but productive conversations with my Marshall and Fulbright advisers. I just realized that these individuals also write letters of recommendation for me on behalf of Princeton! Should I have been more formal with them?

No. The advisers want to assist you with your application, and they can best help and represent you if you share your thoughts and intentions openly and honestly. You do not need to wear a suit.

For the Fulbright, you will have a “formal” interview, which is not really formal. Rather, it gives the adviser a more complete sense of your reasons for undertaking the project and the abilities that will enable you to successfully follow through. Hint: If you look at the Campus Committee Evaluation form that the adviser will complete for you (which is included with the application packet), you will get an idea of the kinds of questions to expect.

Technical Questions:

1. Which applications require the GRE?

Most major fellowships require the general and sometimes subject area test. Students applying to graduate school should take the GRE anyway. Generally speaking, Churchill, DOD, Ford, Hertz, Javits, and NSF all require the general test. Always check the most recent bulletin and/or call the fellowship agency to find out. A visit to the fellowships website might also provide answers. It is recommended that you register and take the test early enough in order to have the reported scores by the fellowship’s deadline. For more information, visit the GRE website at www.ets.org/.

2. Where can I get a certificate of good health?

McCosh Health Center will provide this service, but do not wait until the last minute to make an appointment. If the fellowship application provides you with a form to fill out, use that form!

3. Where can I get passport photos? Should I get color or black and white?

Any photo shop in Princeton does passport photos. If the application will be xeroxed after you submit it (the Luce, for example), you should get black and white. If you are submitting multiple copies of an application (like the Churchill), color photos are preferable. If you can only get one or the other, do not worry about it. Please check the application. The fellowship organization may or may not require a photo of a specific size.

4. Where do I submit my application(s)?

Check the instructions in this publication. Generally, the Churchill, Fulbright, Luce, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, and St. Andrew’s applications all proceed to the appropriate committee through Princeton. The Labouisse should be sent to Emmanuel Kreike. All others, including the DOD, Ford, Gates, Javits, Hertz, and NSF applications, should be mailed directly to the fellowship agency.

5. How many copies of my application should I submit?

Check the instructions on the application and follow them! Remember to sign your application in the designated space. An application may require you to sign each copy individually.

6. Where should my recommenders send their letters? What happens if they do not arrive on time?

Again, check the instructions on the form. They must arrive on time in order to ensure consideration. Provide addressed and stamped envelopes, offer to pick up and mail and/or hand deliver letters, and call your recommenders before the letter is due to confirm that your recommenders remember the deadline. A recommendation that arrives via e-mail will not have a signature. Therefore, this method of delivery is not acceptable. Faxing a letter of recommendation is discouraged.

The applicant is responsible for contacting the recommender and having the letter re-sent, if necessary, or for finding another recommender.

7. Most of the fellowships listed in this Fellowship Guide are only open to U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, what are your options?

The Dale and Sachs invite non-U.S. citizens to apply. With stipulations, the Labouisse, ReachOut 56/81, Rhodes, and Rotary are also open to citizens of other countries. A permanent resident may apply for the Hertz and NSF, and a naturalized resident or child of naturalized parents may apply for the Merage and Soros. Consult the applications for specific information on eligibility. You may also want to contact the fellowship office at a university in your country to get information about other opportunities.

In addition, the National Association of Fellowships Advisors’ (NAFA) website is a useful resource for funding opportunities open to non-U.S. citizens. These external sites related to prestigious scholarships and awards that may be helpful to you is located on the NAFA website at www.nafadvisors.org/resources.htm.

Further information is available on the Web:
Canadians: www.scholarships.gc.ca/canadians-en.html
Non-Canadians: www.scholarships.gc.ca/noncanadians-en.html

8. If I need several copies of my transcript for an application, do they all need to be originals?

No. It is usually acceptable to submit one original of a transcript and photocopies thereafter. You can order transcripts online at registrar1.princeton.edu/trans/trans.cfm. As you know, grades from courses taken elsewhere do not appear on the Princeton transcript. If you think that you might apply for several fellowships, you should contact ALL the institutions, including summer course work, where you have taken courses. Request transcripts well in advance of the fellowship application deadline.