George C. Marshall Fellowship
The British Marshall Scholarships were established by the British Government in 1953 to express British gratitude for the European Recovery Program, instituted by General George C. Marshall in 1947 when he served as U.S. Secretary of State. The Marshall Scholarship provides tuition, fees, travel allowance, and stipend to enable graduates of American colleges and universities to study for a degree at a university in the United Kingdom for a period of at least two years. These scholarships were initiated to encourage future intellectual and political leaders of the United States to study at any university in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and thereby expand their understanding of British culture and policies.
Approximately 40 scholarships are awarded each year from eight geographical regions within the United States. Candidates are selected for distinction in intellect and character as evidenced by scholarly attainments, as well as for outstanding activities and interests. Special emphasis is given to the applicant's academic record. There is a minimum academic qualification of an A- average (3.7 GPA) for work done after the freshman year. Because candidates are judged on the strength of their proposed study, they should have a very clear idea of what and why they want to study in the United Kingdom, as well as where they would like to study. Research into university programs and faculty contacts in the United Kingdom can significantly strengthen a Marshall application.
Evidence of leadership and achievement outside the classroom is also highly valued, so such achievement should be highlighted in the essay, recommendations, or other parts of the application. As the Marshall application states: "Preference will be given to candidates who combine high academic ability with the capacity to play an active part in the life of the United Kingdom university to which they go, and to those who display a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society."
There are special Marshall Scholarships for graduate study at the University of Nottingham and at Imperial College. Candidates interested in applying for the Nottingham or Imperial Marshall Scholarships follow the same general Marshall application procedure, but simply specify Nottingham or Imperial as their first or second choice of institutions. Candidates must have a strong academic reason for wanting to go to either institution and should explain this in their academic proposal.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, have earned a Bachelor's degree when beginning their fellowship study, must apply within two years of receiving their Bachelor's degree, and must have at least a 3.7 GPA after freshman year.
In late November and early December, the Marshall selection boards, situated in British consulates in each of the eight regions throughout the United States, select applicants for interviews, with the interviews for the scholarships themselves being held in December. These interviews are held sequentially, so that at least one representative from the Marshall commission can see every candidate. Winners are announced in December. Candidates may apply in either the region in which they have permanent residency or the region for University of Kentucky (Chicago Region).
Applicants for Marshall Scholarships must be endorsed by the University of Kentucky. The nomination process includes a preliminary application to the UK Office of External Scholarships, due by April 17, 2006, and an interview, by invitation. Nominees to the 2006 Marshall Scholarship competition are expected to work on their applications over the summer and early weeks of fall semester 2006 and to consult with the Office of External Scholarships as they proceed.
The preliminary application consists of:
- c.v.
- personal statement of no more than 1,000 words;
- statement of proposed study of no more than 500 words (see alsohttp://www.educationuk.org/ and http://www.rae.ac.uk/ when preparing this statement);
- academic transcript(s) (unofficial copies are acceptable for the internal competition); and
- four letters of recommendation.
For additional information about the Marshall Scholarships, including directions to extremely useful websites on programs in British universities and profiles of past Marshall Scholars, see http://www.marshallscholarship.org.
