Truman Scholarships

If you're interested in applying for the Truman in 2011-2012, please fill out this short form as soon as possible.  

The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection.

See the Truman website for full details. 

W&M CAMPUS NOMINATION PROCESS - IMPORTANT DATES 2011-2012

• November 16 (Wednesday) - campus deadline: the application, letters of recommendation, and transcript must be submitted online.
  
• November 28 (Monday) - invitations to interview are issued by 5 p.m.
• Interviews take place between November 30 and December 9.
• Nominees are announced immediately following the completion of interviews.  Please note: if a nominee's grades drop after the fall semester, the committee may choose to withdraw the nomination.
  
• December 9, 2011 - February 1, 2012 - nominees polish applications (with committee input)
• February 1, 2012 (Wednesday) - application must be submitted online by 12 p.m.
  

 If you can put a check beside each of the following statements, you should be a strong candidate for a Truman Scholarship. If more than two do not apply, the Truman Scholarship is probably not right for you.

At the time I apply,

I will be a full-time student pursuing a bachelor's degree with junior-level academic standing; I have senior-level standing in my third year of college enrollment; or I am a senior and a resident of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a Pacific Island.  Note: Students who have completed their bachelor's degree or are already attending graduate school are not eligible for the Truman Scholarship.

I am a U.S. citizen (or a U.S. national from a Pacific Island) or I expect to receive my citizenship by the date the Scholarship will be awarded.

I hope to be a "change agent," in time, improving the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions serve the public.

 There are conditions in our society or the environment which trouble me

I want to work in government, education, the nonprofit sector, or the public interest/advocacy sector to improve these conditions

I am comfortable committing to work in public service for three of the first seven years after I complete a Foundation-funded graduate degree. &

I would like to get a master's degree, a doctorate, or a professional degree such as a law degree or a Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, Master of Public Policy, or Master of International Affairs.

I have participated extensively in two or more of the following sets of activities:

Government and/or campus-based extracurricular activities

Community service-related activities that were not organized by my school or by my fraternity/sorority Government internships, commissions or boards, advocacy or interest groups, nonpartisan political activities, or military/ROTC

Partisan political activities and campaigns

I have been involved with organizations or activities related to my career interests

I have demonstrated some of my leadership potential

I have high grades and a sufficiently strong curriculum to gain admittance to a first-rate graduate institution

I read regularly a good national newspaper and a thoughtful periodical.&

 I have had one or more courses relating to my career interests.

I would appreciate external affirmation of my values and goals

I would like to become associated with Truman Scholar "change agents

I am capable of analyzing a public issue in my intended career area and presenting my findings in a one-page memo to a government official who could take action

I am willing to prepare an outstanding application and policy proposal under the supervision of my Truman Faculty Representative and the Nomination Committee

I believe I could hold my own in a challenging interview conducted by a panel of prominent public servants, educators, and former Truman Scholars

I could use $30,000 to continue my education.