MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARSHALL SCHOLAR JUDD KENNEDY!
read the press release here

WHAT IS A MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP?
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom in a system of higher education recognized for excellence. It may be held for a maximum of three years (appointments are made for a minimum of two years). Around 40 scholarships are awarded annually. Basically, it's 2-3 years of excellent education in the field and at the British institution of the Scholar's choice.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. They must hold an undergraduate degree by the time they take up their Scholarship and have graduated from their undergraduate college or university after April 2006. Applicants must have a grade point average of not less than 3.7 and must not have studied for, or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University. (Studying abroad does not count.)

A Marshall Scholar must possess a keen intellect and a broad outlook. Selectors will look for distinction of intellect and character; preference will be given to candidates who combine high academic ability with the capacity to play an active part in the life of the UK university they attend, and to those who display a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society. Strong motivation and seriousness of purpose is also important. Applicants currently attending William and Mary must be endorsed by the College.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK: CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY
General information on studying in the UK, undergraduate and postgraduate, is available on the EducationUK website (www.educationuk.org). Current faculty lists, and summary information on the universities themselves, is included in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook (ACU - Association of Commonwealth Universities) (www.palgrave-usa.com). HERO, the guide to Higher Education and Researdh Opportunities in the U.K. will also give you information on the best programs in your field.

Look especially closely at the Marshall Partner Institutions.

HOW TO APPLY

Read carefully!

Be sure to read the Rules for Candidates thoroughly. Once you've read this and decided that the Marshall Scholarship suits your goals (and you meet the requirements), email the items required for the campus pre-application to by August 3.

Submit the pre-application

The pre-application consists of:

1. a list of 4 recommenders with a couple of lines about why you're selecting these people to write,
2. a concise activities list,
3. good (not first) drafts of three essays. Note carefully what each essay is asking for and do not repeat yourself!

• Essay 1: A short statement of not more than 1000 words in which the candidate should describe his/her academic and other interests and pursuits.
• Essay 2: Candidates should describe their proposed academic programme, giving reasons for their choice of course and preferred university. Those hoping to read for a research degree should give an outline proposal of the research they wish to undertake. If any postgraduate study has already been undertaken, state briefly the field, and list any theses or dissertations written or published. (500 words)
• Essay 3: Candidates should describe their reasons for wishing to live and study in the UK, and how they think this will benefit them in the future. This should be a short statement of not more than 500 words.
  

Register online

Go to the Marshall website and register for an account.

Complete the campus application

All parts of the application must be submitted online through the Marshall website by 12 noon on Wednesday September 3, 2008. One Banner transcript and official originals of any other transcripts must also be submitted to the Charles Center by noon on September 3. The campus nomination committee reviews the applications then issues interview invitations.

Campus interview

This campus nomination committee conducts the interviews during the second week of September. The number of nominees to the regional level varies. All candidates are informed of their status immediately following the interviews. The campus nomination committee has the final say on who is to receive the College's endorsement and to which region they are nominated.

Nominated candidates

Nominated Candidates will have approximately two weeks to work on all parts of their applications, especially the essays. 12 noon on Thursday October 2, 2008 is the deadline for final applications to be submitted online.

Regional interviews

Regional Committees screen applications and invite shortlisted candidates to interview in the week of November 10-17, 2008.

Final selection

The final selection will be announced shortly after the interviews, and those nominated for a scholarship will be offered a scholarship in writing, and will be asked to accept or decline this offer, also in writing, within a 10-12 day period.

WHAT'S OUR RECORD?
William and Mary has had three Marshall Scholars: Judd Kennedy '08, Danielle Sepulveda '93, and John Pagan '73.