marshall scholarship personal statement

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• Marshall Scholarships

Written by Ben Taylor

Marshall Scholarships are one of the most prestigious forms of funding for American Masters students in the UK, providing financial support for up to two years (with the possibility in some cases of a third-year extension).

Competition is tough for these scholarships, which are available for postgraduate study in any discipline at any British university.

This page will introduce the benefits offered by Marshall Scholarships, as well as explaining how the application criteria and interview process work.

On this page

What is the marshall scholarship.

The Marshall Scholarship was established in 1953 by the British government and named after General George C. Marshall, the man who lent his name to the Marshall Plan which distributed economic aid from the USA to Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War.

In the decades since, more than 2,000 Americans students have attended university in the UK with the help of a Marshall Scholarship. Among their number are two US Supreme Court Justices, 14 MacArthur Genius Grant recipients, six Pulitzer winners and one Nobel Prize winner – an impressive cohort that reflects the prestigiousness of the Marshall scheme.

There are currently up to 50 Marshall Scholarships available each year, offering the following financial benefits to successful applicants:

• Tuition fees payment
• Personal allowance
• Travel to and from the UK
• Grants towards books, as well as your thesis and research expenses
• Daily travel allowance

In total, the financial value of a Marshall Scholarship is around £38,000 per year (USD $49,945).

Marshall Scholarships are available at all UK universities but candidates are particularly invited to apply for programmes at Marshall Partner Universities, which have strong links with the scholarship scheme.

The Marshall Commission also has partnerships with a selection of colleges at University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

There are a few different pathways you can take during a Marshall Scholarship:

• One-year Masters scholarship , which can be used to study a one-year Masters and cannot be extended
• Two-year Masters scholarship , which can be used to study two one-year Masters programmes, one two-year research Masters programme or two years of a PhD programme
• Two-year scholarship (with the possibility of a third-year extension) , which can be used to combine Masters and PhD study

If you opt for the third option, you can either begin a PhD in the first year or upgrade from a Masters to a PhD, before applying for a third-year funding extension.

Who is eligible for a Marshall Scholarship?

In order to fulfil the eligibility criteria for a Marshall Scholarship, you’ll need to:

• Be an American citizen
• Have completed a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited university in the USA by the time of taking up the scholarship
• Have a GPA of 3.7 during your undergraduate degree
• Be a ‘recent’ graduate, having graduated no earlier than three and a half years before taking up the scholarship (e.g. April 2021 for September 2024 applicants)

Also, you can’t have previously studied in the UK (whether that’s at university or for secondary education).

Course eligibility for Marshall Scholarships

Generally speaking, Marshall Scholarships are tenable for most kinds of Masters and PhD programmes at UK universities. However, there are a few key exceptions in which courses aren’t eligible for funding. These include:

• Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates
• Distance learning courses
• Courses that begin in January
• Courses that involve an international placement

You can see a full list of ineligible courses on the Marshall website .

A Marshall Scholarship can’t be deferred.

How can I apply for a Marshall Scholarship?

Applications for Marshall Scholarships usually open in June, with a deadline for submission at the end of September.

You’ll need to make your application from one of eight regional centres in the USA, depending on where you studied and where your permanent home address is:

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Washington DC

Once you’ve completed your application, it’ll need to be endorsed by your undergraduate university (or, in limited circumstances, your graduate school).

As part of your application, you’ll need to submit the following short essays:

• Personal statement
• Statement about your proposed study plans
• Statement about your post-scholarship plans
• Leadership statement
• Ambassador potential statement

You’ll also submit several other documents:

• Academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation (one primary academic, one general academic and one that focuses on your leadership skills)

Please be aware that the Marshall Commission tweaks the required essays (and word lengths) from year to year.

Marshall Scholarship selection criteria

As we’ve mentioned, Marshall Scholarships are extremely prestigious and competition for places can be tough. That said, there are three equally weighted criteria that selection panels are on the look-out for. If you can make sure you hit these key characteristics through your essays, you can improve your chances of success.

The first of these is academic merit . You’ll need a GPA of at least 3.7 but you should also show evidence of extra-curricular success, through achievements like prizes, publications and scholarships. It’s also important to provide a coherent study plan that shows how your proposed Masters (or PhD) programme will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

Next up, you’ll need to prove your leadership potential . This is about showing your influence on others and your track record in delivering valuable results. Evidence of self-awareness, determination, courage and persistence is also important – whether that’s in your studies or as part of your extra-curricular pursuits. Ultimately, you should show that you have a significant capacity to make a contribution to society through your leadership qualities.

Finally, the very nature of the Marshall Scholarship means that candidates with ambassadorial potential are in demand. After all, this is a funding scheme that was forged in the aftermath of the Second World War to strengthen the bonds between the USA and the UK. Demonstrable knowledge of US/UK relations is a must, along with evidence of extra-curricular activities that can be put to use in the UK in order to develop those relations. Inter-personal skills, confidence and the ability to engage others around you are other key aspects of this criteria.

Marshall Scholarship interviews

The interview itself usually takes around 30 minutes and will be before a selection committee (normally made up of previous Marshall Scholars).

This interview follows a loose structure, consisting of an introduction followed by a series of more detailed questions regarding your area of expertise, personal interests, current affairs and your potential contributions as a Marshall Scholar.

It’s important to tailor your answers to the Marshall Scholarship selection criteria mentioned above – it’s a relatively short interview, so don’t waste your time talking about things that aren’t relevant to the scheme. Avoid generic answers that could easily apply to any other country around the world; make sure you show a meaningful affinity with the UK.

Expect to be asked probing questions about current events – both local and global – as well as the motivations behind your choice of programme and institution.

It’s a good idea to be clued up on the latest news stories, social trends and cultural movements in the UK. You’ll probably be asked about General George Marshall and the Marshall Plan, so make sure you’ve done your homework!

Search for a Masters in the UK

Ready to take the first step of your journey towards a Marshall Scholarship? Browse the thousands of Masters programmes at British universities listed on our website.

Our guide explains the different postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK, as well as overseas eligibility for Masters loans.

Chevening Scholarships are part of a prestigious UK Government postgraduate funding scheme specifically for international students in the UK. This page will give you an introduction to eligibility, applications and more.

This government funding, awarded in partnership with the British Council, offers at least £10,000 for international students to study a Masters in the UK.

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships offer talented postgraduate students the opportunity to complete a funded full-time or distance Masters at a participating UK university.

Indian students in the US and Europe can get up to $100,000 towards the cost of their Masters with an Inlaks. Find out if you're eligible, how to apply and more.

Indian students are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Masters Scholarship, which covers the cost of a full-time, taught postgraduate course in the UK. This guide covers what's on offer and how to apply.

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Personal Statement Tips

The goal of your personal statement can vary based on the specific scholarship application, so be sure to tailor it to each application, rather than have a blanket personal statement to send to all programs. Often, a personal statement is a great place to explain any resume gaps, financial need, research interests- instances that are hard to convey on a resume and transcript. Be as specific as possible, a personal statement should be personal! Some programs may require a service component post-graduation, so if yours does, think of how you’ll complete that portion of it.

• Try to not use too many “I” statements
• Use active verbs and voice
• Make an appointment with the Writing Center to go over misspellings, grammatical errors and typos. The more eyes on your statement, the better.
• Be creative! It’s time to let your beautiful mind shine in the creative process.
• Plan ahead- be aware of scholarship due dates and deadlines. Make sure you have enough time for our office and the Writing Center to review your statement.

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Marshall Scholarships

At least 40  Marshall Scholarships  are awarded each year. They may be held at any British university and cover one or two years of graduate study in almost any discipline. The scholarship covers all tuition costs and fees; it also provides a monthly stipend and some funds for travels and books. The Marshall Commission maintains a very useful website, and interested students should familiarize themselves with the rules for candidates, frequently asked questions, and the various resources about British universities and academic programs.

• Preliminary : Aug. 1, 2024
• Internal : Sept. 1, 2024
• External : Sept. 24, 2024

Who is Eligible?

The Marshall Scholarship has three basic conditions of eligibility:

• U.S. citizenship (at the time of application)
• Completion of an undergraduate degree within the 3 years prior to beginning study in the UK
• Cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.7

Adviser : Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser

Selection criteria:  Candidates for the Marshall Scholarship should demonstrate “distinction of intellect and character,” as well as “strong motivation and seriousness of purpose.” Both in their academic work and other activities, strong Marshall applicants will show evidence of the potential to be leaders in society. Finally, a strong Marshall application will offer a well thought-out rationale for the proposed academic program.

Preliminary application:  Because competition for this scholarship is so intense, it is important to begin the application process early. The initial application is intended to get you started putting together the materials you will need for later stages. Based on your initial application, you will receive feedback from the Fellowships Adviser regarding whether you have the potential to receive institutional endorsement and if so what steps you should take and what concerns you will have to address to earn that endorsement.

Marshall Preliminary Application Form The preliminary application will consist of the following:

• A current, comprehensive resumé, including employment, activities, honors, skills, and languages. This need not be limited to one page. Please include a description of planned employment or other activities for the upcoming summer and fall.
• The names of four potential writers of letter of recommendation, at least three of whom should be professors. You are advised to inform these writers of your plans to apply for this fellowship.
• A personal statement worksheet
• A list of any other fellowships you are planning to apply for
• A list of any questions you have about the fellowship or the application process

Official fall internal application:  Prospective applicants must register on the Marshall website in order to access the online application. In this first stage, you submit your application electronically to Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser, and are interviewed soon after by the Committee on Fellowships and Prizes here on campus. This application includes the following elements:

A 3-page application form, including a section asking about “personal interests and non-academic activities” and a “brief statement of future career aims."

Personal statement of not more than 1,000 words describing your “academic and other interests and pursuits.”

• A description (not more than 500 words) of your “proposed academic programme, giving reasons for your choice of course and preferred university.”
• A brief essay (not more than 500 words) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in the UK
• Four letters of recommendation
• Click here for  instructions and advice  for your recommenders.

On the basis of that application and interview, the Committee will decide whether or not to endorse your application.  If you are selected as a nominee, the committee will prepare an official letter of support for your application. You will also receive some feedback on your application and have a short time period in which to revise materials for your final application. The better and more polished your initial application; the likelier you are to have a strong interview, a strong letter of support, and the strongest possible final application.

External application:  Revised application must be submitted to Eleanor (Ellie) Stanford, Fellowship Adviser, at least two days before the official external deadline. If necessary, you should be prepared to make last-minute editorial corrections and must submit the corrected version by 5 p.m. on the day before the published external deadline.

After the application is submitted:  Candidates selected for interview will be notified by mid-September. They must take a printed and signed copy of their application and four passport-size photos to their interviews. The final selection will be announced shortly after the interview. Successful applicants will be offered a scholarship in writing, and will be asked to accept or decline this offer, also in writing, within 12 days of receiving it.

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About the Scholarship

Marshall Scholarships   finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to fifty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study. As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through its best academic programs contributes to their ultimate personal success.

The objectives of the Marshall Scholarships are:

• To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country’s future leaders, to study in the UK.
• To help scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain.
• To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain’s centers of academic excellence.
• To motivate scholars to act as ambassadors from America to the UK and vice versa throughout their lives thus strengthening British American understanding.
• To promote the personal and academic fulfillment of each scholar.

Requirements

• Eligibility
• Campus Endorsement
• Application

To be eligible for a 2025 Marshall Scholarship, candidates must:

• Be citizens of the United States of America (at the time they apply for a scholarship);
• By the time they take up their scholarship (i.e. September 2025) hold their first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States;
• Have obtained a grade point average of not less than 3.7 on their undergraduate degree at the time of application. We do not accept rounded GPA’s.
• Have graduated from their first undergraduate college or university after April 2022.
• Not have studied for, or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University or GCSE or A Levels taken at school in the UK.

Selection Criteria

Before completing the application candidates are advised to consider the objectives of the Marshall Scholarship Program, review the   Candidate Evaluation Criteria   and to be aware that the selection committees are seeking candidates who have the potential to excel as scholars, leaders and as contributors to improved UK-US understanding. The selection criteria are divided into three equally weighted categories:

• Academic Merit
• Leadership Potential
• Ambassadorial Potential

Campus endorsement is a selected process and not guaranteed.   Students seeking USC endorsement must submit certain application components by the campus endorsement deadline (biographical info, statements, short answers, grade report, and three letters of recommendation).  Candidates will be notified whether they have been invited to a a  campus endorsement interview .

The campus deadline to apply for Marshall, Mitchell and/or Rhodes Scholarship endorsement for the 2025-2026(7) grant year is June 16, 2024.

Additional Guidelines Applicants are evaluated and selected by a USC faculty committee panel. The panel has endorsed students from a wide range of majors, career goals and leadership experiences. While there is no standard portfolio for a successful candidate, the faculty committee looks for demonstration of the awards’ selection criteria in candidates. The Selectors will also look for adequate preparation for the proposed course of study, particularly in the upper-level course work and real strength in the major field. 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 – Ireland university to which they go, and to those who display a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society.

Application Components

To apply for the Marshall Scholarship at the national level, you must receive campus endorsement first.  USC’s Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes campus endorsement is the same application.  Candidates only need to submit one application to be considered for multiple awards.

A complete campus application requires the following:

• Online application: includes basic biographical and academic data
• Personal Statement (750 words max): This should be a short statement in which candidates describe their intellectual development and other interests and pursuits
• Proposed Academic Program (500 words max): Candidates should describe their proposed academic program, giving reasons for their choice of course and preferred university․ Those hoping for a research degree should give an outline proposal of the research they wish to undertake and with whom they would like to work․ Marshall candidates must also include a brief outline of why they have chosen their second choice courses and institutions
• Leadership (500 words max): Candidates should describe a situation in which they were working with a group of people and recognized and responded to a need for leadership․ The objective is to help the committee understand the candidate’s leadership conviction and drive, style and potential rather than provide a list of achievements.
• Ambassadorial Potential (500 words max): Candidates should explain why they want to undertake their studies in the UK-Ireland, and in what particular ways do they think that they will benefit personally and professionally from the experience? Candidates should discuss how work in their field of study (including their own research) can enhance the USA-UK relationship․ They should further explain what they might do to contribute to improved relations in this area now and following the scholarship․
• Post Scholarship Plan (150 words max): Candidates should describe their immediate plans upon completion of their Marshall/Mitchell/Rhodes Scholarship and why two years (one for Mitchell) spent undertaking a degree in the UK-Ireland would enhance these plans. As well as describing plans for employment or further study, candidates should indicate how they would develop ongoing connections with the UK-Ireland, through their UK-Ireland institution or some other contacts they propose to make while in the UK-Ireland. Please also include a brief statement of your future career plans.
• Personal Information (300 words max) Please list information about personal interests and non-academic activities including dates where relevant․ In particular please include information on any leadership roles you have undertaken․
• Describe a recent, particularly satisfying public service activity (350 words): Candidates should describe a recent, particularly satisfying public service activity. Or, if you have focused your efforts on research, please describe a particularly satisfying broader impact experience you have had (either in your research or in public science education, tutoring, etc.)
• List the 3 most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your proposed graduate study and future career  (150 words).
• Describe the problem or needs of society (domestic or global) you want to address once you have finished your formal graduate training  (350 words).
• What do you hope to do and what position/role do you hope to have 7-10 years after completing  your studies in the UK or Ireland? (150 words)
• Additional information (250 words): Is there anything else you would like the nomination committee to know about you that is not reflected elsewhere in your application?
• A comprehensive resume or   curriculum vitae   (CV) detailing honors, awards, research, leadership/service, and other co- and extra-curricular activities you have pursued since starting College. Do not include high-school experiences.
• Unofficial transcripts . (OASIS course plan)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation: Your letters of recommendation will be requested and uploaded via the campus application portal. Two of your three letters should be academic-focused letters from teaching faculty and/or research mentors; if you are involved in significant co- or extra-curricular activities or post-graduate activities, including employment, a third letter focused on your leadership/service/professional life is acceptable. All of your letters must be in-depth letters from individuals who know you well.

For the Mitchell and Rhodes campus application you will be asked for the names of one additional recommender (Mitchell) and five additional recommenders (Rhodes).   (The Marshall Scholarship requires a total of 3 letters; the Mitchell Scholarship requires a total of 4 letters; the US Rhodes Scholarship requires 5-8 letters of recommendation.)

Note: Your academic letters should be obtained from faculty.  They do not have to be tenured, but should know you in a teaching or research capacity. You  should not  request letters from graduate students, post-docs, career or academic advisors; leadership/public service letters should not come from “famous” or high-ranking individuals who do not know you well. Please have your letters sent on letterhead, signed, and addressed  to the “UK-Ireland Scholarship USC Campus Selection Committee”.

Apply for Marshall, Mitchell and/or Rhodes Scholarship Campus Endorsement HERE

Application Timeline

USC Campus Endorsement Application   (same for Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarship campus endorsement)

• June 16, 2024 by 11:59pm: Campus Endorsement application deadline, including 3 letters of recommendation  
• Late-June:   Campus Endorsement Interviews

Marshall Scholarship National Application 

• Early June:   National Marshall Scholarship Application Opens
• Late September: National deadline for applicants to submit application
• October:   National deadline for advisors to submit letters of endorsement and four letters of recommendation
• November:   Regional interviews of shortlisted candidates

Before you apply, complete an extensive review of the   Marshall Scholarship website   with special attention to:

• Rules for Candidates:   Provides guidance for the application process, including general regulations, conditions of eligibility, the basis of selection, the method of selection, and the courses that are open to Marshall Scholars.
• Evaluation Criteria   and   Marshall Partnership Scholarships
• Choosing a University in the UK :  UK institutions, Partnership Scholarships, Marshall Partner Universities, Course Search
• Reach out to a recipient in your field using the   Marshall Scholar Profiles  
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 2020 Competition  The Chair of the New York Regional Committee talks about applying for Marshall Scholarships

Rhodes/Marshall/Mitchell Campus Endorsement Overview + Q&A:

• Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 12-1pm PST REGISTER HERE

Overview & Campus Endorsement Slide Presentation 2021

Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes Scholarship Essay Overview Video Recording Special Guest: 2018 USC Marshall Scholar Jamie Kwong

Marshall Scholarship Personal Statement Essay Example   (password protected – please email AHF)

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Marshall scholarship, at a glance, description.

The 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. Marshall Scholarships are tenable for one to three years (usually two) for study at any university in the United Kingdom. At least 40 scholarships are offered annually.

The aims of the Marshall Scholarship are:

• To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans to study in the U.K. while gaining an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain
• To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in scholars’ chosen fields of study
• To motivate scholars to act as ambassadors from the U.S. to the U.K. and vice versa throughout their lives

Dean Alison Boden,  [email protected] Dr. Deirdre Moloney, [email protected] Professor Jennifer Rampling,  [email protected] Professor Jack Tannous,  [email protected]

Eligibility

• U.S. citizen at time of application
• Bachelor’s degree by the start of the scholarship period (applicants eligible up to three years after first undergraduate degree)
• Minimum GPA of 3.7; most endorsed candidates have GPAs of 3.8 or higher.

Criteria for Selection

Distinction of intellect and character as evidenced by scholarly attainments and by other activities and interests is a prime requisite. Candidates should be capable of playing an active role in the life of their U.K. university and have the potential to contribute later to their own society. Applicants must have a very clear idea of why and what they want to study in the U.K. and be able to describe in some detail why the program of study at a particular university is appropriate for them. Candidates are judged on the presentation of a specific and realistic academic program of study.

Application Procedure

Princeton University must endorse applicants for the Marshall Scholarship. This endorsement process involves the submission of the application and supporting materials by the Princeton campus deadline:

• 1,000-word personal statement,
• 500-word academic proposal,
• 500-word ambassadorial essay,
• Three letters of recommendation (submitted online)
• Official transcripts  

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Overview and Introduction

Founded by a 1953 Act of Parliament, and named in honor of US Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the  Marshall Scholarship  commemorates the humane ideals of the Marshall Plan and they express the continuing gratitude of the British people to their American counterparts. 

Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at the graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.  

The scholarship provides full cost of attendance for 1-3 years of graduate study.  Scholars typically pursue one or two 1-year or 2-year Master’s degrees.  

Prospective applicants should plan to apply the year before their intended date of study. 

Campus Application Deadline: August 19th, 2024 at 12:00pm

Eligibility :.

• Age:   No age requirement
• Academics: Minimum GPA of 3.7
• Citizenship:   US Citizenship is required

Selection Criteria :

• Academic Merit:  Quality of Programme of study, knowledge of proposed courses and supervisors, evidence of a strong and relevant academic background, and the quality and bredth of recommendation letters are all considered. A minimum GPA of 3.7 is required.
• Leadership Potential:  Ability to demonstrate one's ability to deliver results from a position of leadership, strength of purpose in the pursuit of one's goals, creativity and innovation in the candidate's approach to answering questions, and self-awareness in evidence of a strong desire to contribute to society.
• Ambassadorial Potential:  Knowledge of US/UK relations, transferable extracurricular activities, interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with others, and the self-confidence and ability to seize opportunities. 

Application Deadlines

• U-M Deadline: August 19th, 2024 at 12:00pm
• National Deadline:  Late September
• Endorsement: U-M Nomination is Required

Instructions for Prospective Applicants 

Prospective applicants should join the UK Scholarships Canvas  course for an overview of the application, program requirements, additional advising information, and more.  

Application Components 

• Three letters of recommendation The U-M application will accept four recommendation letters, and if nominated, candidates will be coached on selecting the best of the three.
• Proposed Academic Program (500 words) You will be expected to identify multiple institutions in the UK where you might study. 
• Post-Scholarship Plans (150 words)
• Leadership short-answer essay (500 words)
• Ambassador Potential short answer essay (500 words)
• Personal statement (750 words)
• Two-page resume
• Official transcript(s) A copy of your unofficial U-M transcript saved as a PDF file, as well as transcripts from any other university from which you've taken coursework. Transcripts are not typically needed for dual enrollment courses taken while you were still in high school or from study abroad experiences. If you have questions about this, please send them to  [email protected] .
• U-M class ranking A PDF of your class ranking, generated by the Registrar's Office.
• U-M Endorsement via Nomination Process

Top candidates for U-M endorsement will be invited to interview with the Rhodes and Marshall Nomination Committee in early September.  Candidates selected for endorsement will work with ONSF to complete the final application before the national deadline. 

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Check Award Deadline

Marshall Scholarships finance up to 50 young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.

Award : The Two Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for two academic years, but may be extended a year by the Commission. The One Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for one academic year (12 months) and cannot be extended. The award covers university fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse.

Criteria : In appointing Scholars the selectors will look for candidates who have the potential to excel as scholars, as leaders and as contributors to improved UK-US understanding. Assessment will be based on academic merit, leadership potential and ambassadorial potential.

Applicants must be endorsed by the Office of Distinguished Scholarships in order to apply for the Marshall Scholarship. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the ODS director to learn more about the application process.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Marshall Scholarship, candidates must:

• be citizens of the United States of America (at the time they apply for a scholarship)
• hold their first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States by the time they take up their scholarship in September of the following year
• have obtained a grade point average of not less than 3.7 on their undergraduate degree (Applicants must have a GPA of 3.7 at the time of application)
• have graduated from their first undergraduate college or university after April 2019
• not have studied for, or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University or GCSE or A Levels taken at school in the UK

*Note* please verify eligibility on the Marshall Scholarships website .

How to apply for UNC endorsement (updated for 2024-2025)

For the endorsement application, you will be primarily working within the Marshall Scholarship application portal. The exception is for letters of recommendation. Please leave the portal section of letters of recommendation blank for now

Marshall UNC endorsement application (except letters of recommendation).

• Create an account in the Marshall Scholarship application portal
• Complete all of the sections of the Marshall Scholarship application, including essays, within the portal (the exception being letters of recommendation)
• Please be sure to include all relevant transcripts with your endorsement application

Letters of recommendation

•  *The Marshall Scholarship has specific requirements concerning who can write your letters; please review those requirements on the \website before selecting recommenders*
•    Review the  Marshall Scholarship Timeline

Resources for applicants

• Rules for one- and two-year candidates
• Evaluation criteria
• Find a Course in the UK
• Marshall Partnership Scholarships
• Marshall Scholarship FAQs
• Research Excellency Framework
• ODS information sessions and prep-shops
• Schedule a meeting with the ODS director to discuss your application and receive advice to consider as you prepare for the endorsement deadline. Non-local applicants may schedule meetings via Zoom or phone. (Note: You may receive feedback on your Marshall personal statement and essays, but you may not incorporate the revised prose from the statement or essay content into a Rhodes or Mitchell Scholarships personal statement.)

Applicants may apply for multiple scholarship awards simultaneously, including the Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarships. However, pay careful attention to differences in guidelines for personal statements.

INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS

• the amateur

Personal Statement

Describe your academic and other interests. What a prompt, scholarship people. This is too long for both a post and the submission form – but it is what I’ve written today.

There are opinions and ways for writing a Marshall Scholarship personal statement. I should like just to tell the truth. Before, I had the wild thought of trying to convince you I had some more sane reason for wanting to study theological ethics, one that kept my own Christian spirituality to a palatable minimum. But in truth, I have only a rag bag of decisions and passions leaving me with the conviction that I am called.

Calling – a word people throw around all the time; but in the Protestant tradition, vocation,  the name for something at once sacred, mystical even, and pedestrian. A life’s work, it sounds grand, but in reality it is the courage in the difficult decision and the tireless toil of the everyday that add up to a vocation. Such is the irony in choosing something so radical as following after the voice of God, which itself can hallow the mundane in its quiet insistent grace.

There was, first, the realization freshman year that I did not have to leave books and paper and ideas behind after college, that by some miracle of civilization there exist people who dwell in them forever and support themselves doing so. By another miracle it was within my feeble powers to become one such person. There followed an agonizing year of indecision in choosing a major; how to cast every fascinating field of study aside in pursuit of only one?

The answer lay in the question persisting, nagging really, from “International Conflict and War” to “Rhetoric and Public Discourse” to “Pop Culture” –  what about the church?   I thus began my theology training without much notion of specializations – I knew only that I wanted to study God. But soon my inconvenient penchant for the interdisciplinary and frustration with impractically abstract discussions found me at home in the study of Christian ethics. Classes and an assistantship with Dr. Daniela Augustine furthered this habit. My mentor’s own interdisciplinary vagaries introduced me to postmodern epistemology; first connected me to Marshall McLuhan’s work, and thereby to communication studies; her connections to South Africa encouraged my interest in reconciliation; and assisting with her research on the prosperity gospel in developing countries brought a new dimension to my thinking on social justice. But even more importantly, her example convinced me that academicians do not have to be shut up in private study closets far from the world’s practical needs. It is possible to be a good scholar and a good person, to live in the world of journals and students and that of the real-world problems one purports to research.

I, too, have attempted to straddle both worlds in my undergraduate career. My improvisational theater training and leadership, for example, began as a stress reliever and artistic outlet. But improv ultimately also shaped my beliefs about human ability, our bodily existence in space and time, and an individual’s relationship to a collective. I struggle to articulate this particular experience outside of a group of improvisers. But I would like to study these questions from a theological perspective for the context of a group of people following Christ rather than one performing improvised stories.

Myy experience at the local youth center also began as a simple thing, trepidatious obedience to the understood necessity of expressing God’s “being for” the poor as communicated to me through research on Deuteronomy. But through the young adults and mentors I encountered there, I learned more about myself, God, and the Bible’s call to justice than I have perhaps anywhere else. Moreover, I learned an enormous amount about poverty and found myself yearning to talk about it with others, as well as research solutions on both an individual and a societal level. One of the deepest longings of my heart is now to see the church take an ever more active role in finding and implementing those solutions with the poor throughout the world.

Like many college students, a large portion of my time has also been spent under the influence, neither glamorous nor industrious, of various recent technological advances. Reflection on the technologies that can both facilitate important communications and efficiently distract us from them led me into classes in communication studies. From theories of rhetoric to understanding the psychosocial effects of various mediums, I believe this is another field with which theology must interact in the search for answers to some of the world’s most pressing new ethical questions and problems.

Annie Dillard said that writing is like climbing a ladder in the near-dark: “You watch your shod feet step on each round rung, one at a time; you do not hurry and do not rest”, and are surprised by your arrival at the top. For many people, discovering a vocation is a similar plodding bit-by-bit process; I for one have only got so far as “Christian ethics”. I wait for the next whisper towards perhaps the slightest turn. Meanwhile I am seeking new places and people for inspiration in my present vocation. I am seeking a new cultural perspective. I am seeking variety and guidance in exploring and deepening my theological foundations as well as support and flexibility in my own research. In other words, I am seeking a taught Master’s.

Beyond the academic pursuits of the near future, beyond a general idea of writing and teach, my only notion of the vocation I will receive is that I will serve the church as it serves others. I do not usually find this as glamorous or appealing as some other calling I would have chosen for myself. I would often like to be a heroic doctor in sub-Saharan Africa or a small coffee shop owner with simpler responsibilities to others. I am disappointed near-daily with the American evangelical church’s overactive political involvement, internal feuding, inattention to Church history and apparent inability to interact with postmodern or Millenial culture; I would rather not make a career in it. But this church, in St. Augustine’s words, is my mother, and I feel a shift as a new generation learns with the old a new way of following Christ together. This church will need and want help navigating changing cultural waters and relearning the role of servant. On my bolder days I imagine I could someday help provide it.

Besides, these evangelicals, among few besides Julian of Norwich and the other mystic saints, will not laugh. If I claim to hear God’s voice whispering through a small stage, a low-budget youth center, and afternoon hours across a desk from a mentor, calling me to cathedrals, conversations, and libraries an ocean away, they will not laugh but pray in thanks and faith. Faith is that out of which we Christians live our shared calling. And in a cynical era, so needful of problem solvers, reconcilers, givers and optimists, faith is a precious gift indeed.

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Posted by Lyndsey Medford on August 11, 2012

https://lyndseygraves.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/personal-statement/

We should talk about this! I like it a lot and I look forward to seeing how you will edit and shape it for Marshall, et al. And the great thing about it is that you do not depend on these people and their money at the end of the day, you depend upon the Lord whom you honor so well with this pursuit of excellence. And He will make a way for you 🙂 Love it.

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Information Session:   Global Grad Scholarships Week - March 5-8, 2024

Campus Deadline: August 2024 TBD

Fields of Study: Open

Funding for: 1-3 years of graduate study at a univeristy in the United Kingdom

Begin Application: junior or senior year, recent grad or graduate student

Website: www.marshallscholarship.org/

Description

The Marshall Scholarships finance up to 40 independent, wide-ranging students who have outstanding leadership potential and who wish to study for a graduate degree at any institution in the United Kingdom. The program seeks to encourage applicants’ personal and intellectual growth by fostering their understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain, its relationship with the United States, and its role on the world stage.

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. citizen (dual citizens are eligibile, but must have resided primarily in the U.S. before starting their undergrad degree)
• GPA: 3.7/4.0 or higher
• Must not have studied for, nor hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification, from a British university
• Must hold first undergrad degree by September of the grant year

Candidate Profile

• Intellectual distinction, strong motivation, and a mature character
• Rationale for pursuing your chosen program of study at a particular university in the U.K.
• Preparedness for rigorous, independent graduate study
• Potential to make a significant contribution to society and to one’s field of study
• Demonstrated leadership and community involvement that denotes courage, self-awareness, strength of purpose, creativity, and the ability to deliver results
• Desire to act as a U.S. cultural ambassador to the U.K. and to understand the "special relationship" between the U.K. and U.S.

Application Components

• 750 word Personal Statement
• 150 word Post-Scholarship Plan essay
• 500 word Proposed Academic Programme essay
• 500 word Leadership essay
• 500 word Ambassador Potential Essay
• Certified transcript(s)
• one preferred recommender (this is your primary academic mentor)
• one general (should be academic) recommender
• one focused on leadership

Application Procedure

All applicants MUST be nominated by their college or university. As such, Purdue applicants are reviewed by an internal committee who will identify nominees.

Detailed campus application information is provided directly to applicants once they declare their intention to apply.

• Gilman Scholarship

Marshall Scholarship

Campus deadline: last friday in august,  information about the scholarship  .

The Marshall Scholarship provides for one or two to three years of study leading to a graduate degree or degrees from virtually any UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) university or institution of higher education. Scholars may choose to obtain degrees from one or two different institutions. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and a stipend for living expenses.

Marshall Scholars are talented, independent, and wide-ranging in their interests, and their time as Scholars will enhance their intellectual and personal growth.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• US citizenship
• Seniors and recent graduates within two years of their bachelor’s degree (i.e., those who received their bachelor’s degree after April 2008)
• 3.7 or above GPA
• Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard
• Integrity and distinction of character as evidenced by academic and non-academic activities and achievements
• Strong motivation and seriousness of purpose, including choice of academic program
• The ability to lead
• The capacity to play an active part in the life of the host university and country as well as a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society.

Sample Documents

• Personal Statement and Program Proposal (samples from Emory University)

Useful Links

• Sample Marshall Application
• Profile of a Marshall Scholar (PDF)
• Official Marshall Scholarship website
• Reed College: Rhodes and Marshall application advice. These pages focus on UK fellowships, but also include good general advice. See Writing Your Story, Letters of Recommendation, and candidates’ reports.

Scholarship Essays

Marshall Scholarship Essay Example 2 - Personal Statement

Personal statement.

In the sixth grade, I took a test to see if I was left- or right-brained. To my elementary eyes, the result of that quiz would be the truth from on high—a resolute word that would define the man to come as either analytic or artistic. Unfortunately, the oracle I sought gave me a perplexing answer. Much to my disbelief, my tallied score yielded a perfect split down the middle. Was I mentally ambidextrous or mentally challenged? I preferred to think the former; either way, I have never felt at home thinking in just one hemisphere.

When I tell people that I study biological anthropology and philosophy, they oftencuriously raise an eyebrow. “What an odd combination,” they remark. Even though I have come to expect this, I understand their bewilderment. Though the sciences and the humanities were once braided into one holistic education, today, the two behave like estranged lovers settling a bitter divorce, resulting in separate academic quarters. One hundred years ago, every student at Mythic University—humanist, scientist, and farmeralike—was required to read Plato in the original Ancient Greek. Receiving a broad education was seen as part of becoming a true scholar. Despite their differences, when I look at the current interaction between the humanities and the exact sciences—specifically between philosophy and evolutionary biology—I see cause for hope, perchance even reconciliation, through philosophy of science. In this pursuit, I have tailored my undergraduate education to lay a foundation in both philosophy and science.

Biological anthropologist by day. Many of my days are spent at the Mythic Universitypaleoanthropology lab, where I am fortunate to work as Dr. John Teacher’sundergraduate research assistant, casting the semicircular canals of small mammals tostudy their morphology as it relates to movement. The semicircular canals house the organs of balance, and their morphology is inherently tied to locomotion. Through the analysis of these casts, we can analyze variation within readily available populations.High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans allow for the non-invasivere construction of this tiny region of the inner ear in the minutest detail. This exciting approach is providing new insights into the locomotion of hominids and other ancient, extinct primates without damaging rare fossils. Studying the variation in canalmorphology helps us assess the reliability of this technique.

The experience of this assistantship, along with two summers of standing in a waist-deepCosta Rican swamp, culminated in my honor’s thesis, which investigates the agility of three species of New World monkeys through both observations of positional behavior and analysis of semicircular canal morphology. Agility is a rather nebulous concept. It is my hope that this comparative examination will yield an effective means of quantifying relative levels of agility among primates.

Understanding how primates move requires a functional understanding of mammaliananatomy—a passion of mine for the past three years. The opportunity to assistant-teach three undergraduate anatomy courses has been among the most fulfilling parts of my education. When I taught gross anatomy I had the opportunity to work with two cadavers.

A person can learn a great deal about human anatomy from texts, but there is an eye opening degree of realism that sinks in during cadaver study. Furthering my own knowledge of anatomy would be reward enough for teaching these classes. What really propels me to teach, though, is the possibility of helping my students germinate a genuine curiosity in a subject that I love.

Philosopher by night. While fascinated by my anthropological pursuits, I take tremendous pleasure from reading philosophy into the early morning hours, sitting in the back of the dimly lit Mythic University Diner, famously open 24 hours a day.Camaraderie is high at the Diner as a good number of philosophy graduate students study there every night, conversing over coffee. It was there where much of my interest in philosophy blossomed as I listened to many late-night debates about the virtues and failings of Aristotle and the nature of mind. For a while, I was seen as the token scientist, but after studying there for two years and taking a two graduate-level philosophy courses in ethics and the philosophy of mind, philosophy students are beginning to recognize me among their ranks. My experiences have led me to form a biweekly study group where undergraduate philosophy majors can interact and discuss their readings with the graduate students.

I became particularly interested in the interaction of philosophy and biology when I readNietzsche’s On the Genealogy of Morals for the first time. Seeing a unity of ideas between some of what Nietzsche wrote in Genealogy and aspects of contemporary evolutionary biology made me realize that a more fruitful exchange of ideas between biologists and philosophers could precipitate advances in both fields. When I readGenealogy again last year in my ethics seminar, I wrote a paper about a consilience between Nietzsche and the theoretical work of Amotz Zahavi—the ornithologist and author of The Handicap Principle—which I will submit for publication this fall.

This idea came as an epiphany—one shining moment of clarity that allowed me to unite seemingly disparate fields of knowledge for the first time. As I continue to investigate the relationship between philosophy and biology, I sense that more epiphanies are on the horizon. For me, continuing to bring the two fields together will not only require both sides of my mind, but also a mentor with the experience and breadth of knowledge to guide me in such an endeavor. Studying with Dr. Jonathan Hodge at the University ofLeeds’ History and Philosophy of Science program will put my mental ambidexterity to good use.

Original Source: Penn State University

Udall Scholarship

Honoring the legacy of U.S. Representative Morris Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, the  Udall Foundation  awards up to $7,000 to 50 college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to American Indian nations or to the environment. Udall Scholars attend a 5-day orientation in Tucson, Arizona and gain access to the Udall Alumni Network, an association of environmental and tribal leaders sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities. Undergraduates may apply in one of three areas: environment, tribal policy, and native health care.

National Deadline : March

In 2022, the Udall Foundation anticipates awarding 55 scholarships of up to $7,000 each.

The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

The Udall Scholarship provides

• Access to the Udall  Alumni Network : an association of change-makers, working in Indian country and environmental fields, sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities.
• Five days in Tucson, Arizona, at  Scholar Orientation : extending your professional network, meeting other scholars and alumni, and learning new skills.
• Up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses.

Undergraduates may apply in one of three areas: environment, tribal policy, and native health care.

Environment

This area is for sophomores and juniors interested in conservation, environmental stewardship, or environmental policy, with a demonstrated commitment to the environment through participation in campus activities or service to your community. Ideal candidates are working towards a career that will enable them to address environmental issues on a local, national, or global scale.

Tribal Policy

This area is for Native American or Alaska Native college students currently in their sophomore or junior year who have demonstrated their commitment to Indian country through participation in cultural activities and service to their community. Ideal candidates are working towards a career that will enable them to make a difference for their tribe or for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Native Health Care

This area is for Native American or Alaska Native college students currently in their sophomore or junior year who are interested in improving health care practice and delivery in Indian country or contributing to health care policy and research. Ideal candidates have demonstrated their commitment to Indian country through participation in cultural activities and service to their community and are working towards a career that will enable them to impact health care for your tribe or for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Eligibility Criteria

• 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year students (need 1+ year(s) left of school)
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are members of First Nations of Canada, Applicants for the tribal policy or healthcare scholarships must be of native heritage.
• Commitment to a career related to the environment, tribal public policy, or American Indian healthcare.

Selection Criteria

• Students shows that they are working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges or to issues impacting Indian country
• Student demonstrates their commitment to one of these areas through public service and inspires and motivates others to take action.
• Students shows commitment to making a difference through civility and consensus building

Please refer to the Udall website for a detailed list of the  selection criteria.

• Background information
• Short answer essays
• Essay: The public service careers of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall were guided by the core values of civility, integrity, and consensus. Discuss how these three characteristics resonate with you today and how you exemplify at least one of these values in your personal and professional life.
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• In the fall, attend an NCA Learning Series session on the Udall Scholarship.
• Intake form
• Records Release Form  and submit to  [email protected]
• Confirm your intent to apply with NCA.
• Submit your application by the Campus Deadline: February 2024
• Those selected for campus interviews will meet with the committee in early February.
• Endorsed candidates submit revised application by National Deadline:  March 2024
• Information on this page is intended to supplement, not supplant, your own careful review of the official Udall website. If you find any discrepancy between the two, the Udall website takes precedence.
• UC’s  Student Code of Conduct  applies to this application process.

The Marshall Scholarship

The Marshall Scholarship is awarded for two years of study in any discipline, usually at the graduate level, and is tenable at any British university. Only the best students who apply make it beyond a school’s internal selection committee to the regional review panel interviews, where about 130 students are interviewed out of 800 applicants, for about 40 awarded scholarships. Of these applicants, more than half typically have a perfect GPA. Marshall Scholars receive payment of tuition and travel as well as a personal allowance to cover living expenses.

The Marshall Scholarship Selection Criteria

Criteria used by Marshall selectors in awarding scholarships include:

• evidenced distinction of intellect and character;
• strong motivation and seriousness of purpose, as represented by the proposal of a specific, rigorous academic program.

Selectors also appreciate evidence that Marshall Scholars will view themselves as US cultural ambassadors to the United Kingdom and understand the United Kingdon's role on the world stage. Specifically, Marshall selectors have noted their disappointment in past applicants who seemed unaware that Great Britain is no longer an Empire and did not seem to acknowledge that it is a modern multicultural society. Therefore, applicants should be cautious about how they characterize modern Britain and avoid historical stereotypes.

The Marshall Scholarship Application Essays

The most significant writings in the Marshall application are a personal statement of up to 1000 words and a one-page summary of the proposed academic programme. The personal statement typically discusses personal motivations, experience in research or teaching, academic activities, and career goals. Most writers keep this essay focused on motivations and ambitions, while some focus more on academic examples such as senior thesis work or research, and some writers introduce their target program in the final paragraph. In their personal statements, former applicants have expanded on such details as their parents’ professions, an influential teacher or course they took, important texts they have read, theories and positions they uphold, future applications of their research, and conference presentations and publications. Stressing academic achievements here is of little to no value, in that academic excellence in Marshall candidates is a given.

In the one-page proposed academic programme essay, tie your experience directly to the target school(s) and provide a clear study plan. Although students list two preferred universities elsewhere in their application, most use the one-page summary to discuss their first choice only. Clearly, the best writers evidence their suitability for the program while showcasing details to prove that they understand the program’s offerings, especially if they have chosen specific individuals at the target program with whom they would like to study.

Evaluation of Two Sets of Sample Marshall Scholarship Application Essays

The first set of Marshall essays in the pdf below takes an interestingly creative approach, with the writer describing himself as a “biological anthropologist by day” and a “philosopher by night” in the personal statement. These two unlikely partnerships, wedded in one person, are exemplified by a paper the student wrote about a “consilience between Nietzsche and the theoretical work of Amotz Zahavi.” We also find affecting narrative in the personal statement, with the writer depicting himself standing waist-deep in a Costa Rican swamp and working with human cadavers in a gross anatomy course. The accompanying academic programme essay is dominated by connections between the writer’s background and his target program, the University of Leeds.

The second set of Marshall essays is generally more formal and research-based, but ultimately equally personal, with detail including the writer growing up as the son of two Presbyterian ministers and extensive descriptions about his physical activities, which he ties directly to the personal attribute of energy. As this student clarifies, his research concern is with fundamental principles of light and the philosophy of measurement, which he intends to study with a particular professor at Cambridge. Most importantly, the writer also notes in his academic programme essay that he aims to complete a third year of undergraduate studies followed by a one-year MPhil research program at the graduate level.

The Marshall Scholarship process begins online, where you can set up an account for your application as well as read about profiles of past Marshall winners.

Visit the Marshall Scholarship website.