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MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP
| Eligibility: |
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American
citizens holding a bachelor's degree conferred between 3 years
before and the fall after application is made. Must have
at least a 3.7 GPA after the first college year. May not
already hold a British degree or degree-equivalent. |
| Duration: |
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Two
years, renewable in some circumstances for a third. |
| Award: |
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All
expenses and travel for study in any subject to earn a degree
from any British university (either a Master's or a second
Bachelor's) |
| Holy
Cross
procedure: |
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Preliminary
application filed in Graduate Studies Office; interview in September
by Committee on Graduate Studies and Fellowships; final application
submitted through the Graduate Studies Office in early October |
| Essay(s): |
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500-word
statement of Proposed Academic Programme and 1000-word Personal
Statement |
| Then
what: |
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Finalists
interviewed in November at regional centers; 40 winners announced
in December |
Like the Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarships are among the most
elite awards an American college graduate can receive. Established
in 1953 by the British Government, they represent an expression of gratitude
to the United States for the aid granted under the Marshall
Plan after World War II. Not only do these scholarships confer
recognition that is almost unparalleled as a credential for future activities,
they permit significant advancement toward academic and career goals.
Successful candidates will have high ability and wide interests, with
ultimate career goals "not only in higher education but in commerce
and industry, the arts and professions and public life generally."
In the two (or occasionally three) years of support at any British university,
you can study any available discipline at all. If your ultimate
goal is a Ph.D. degree, you can certainly progress to the point of earning
a Master's. A select few students are allowed to take a third
year as a Marshall Scholar, which is enough to earn a British doctorate.
If you plan to enter one of the professions, your studies in Britain toward a second undergraduate degree
or a Master's can be transferable to medical, law, or business schools
in the United States. On the other hand, if you
want a chance to explore an area of study that represents a new or supplementary
academic interest or one for which Holy Cross does not have the necessary
resources, this might be it.
Since the Marshall Scholarship can be held at any British university,
you need to do some serious homework to identify the universities best
suited to the study that appeals to you. These days the web is
an invaluable resource, both to learn of opportunities at various universities
and to obtain information and application forms for the Marshall itself:
http://www.marshallscholarship.org/
Applicants name two universities (a first and a second choice) where
they would prefer to study. If one of the two is Oxford, Cambridge, or the University of London, the other must not be in the same
group. Additional information about the British university system
and the programs available can be obtained from web pages listed
here.
You also need to consider which region within the United States you will apply through. It
can be the region where you attend college (Northeastern in the case
of Holy Cross) or the region where your permanent home is located.
An attempt is made to balance the regions so that no advantage accrues
to applicants from one region over those from another.
Quoting from the web site: "In appointing Scholars the selectors
will look for distinction of intellect and character as evidenced both
by their scholastic attainments and by their other activities and achievements.
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. Selectors will
also look for strong motivation and seriousness of purpose, including
the presentation of a specific and realistic academic programme."
This may sound like a tall order, but Holy Cross students can fill it.
Indeed, we have had several Marshall Scholars in the past 20 years.
Your entire college record, academic and extracurricular, forms the
basis for selection as a Marshall Scholar, so it is up to you to present
that record in the most straightforward and appropriate way. The
essays are of key importance, as are the four letters of recommendation.
For suggestions on
the essays required for the Marshall Scholarship refer to "Proposal Writing: the Art of Persuasion."
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