GEORGE J. MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP

www.us-irelandalliance.org

Named to honor the former U.S. Senator's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the George J. Mitchell Scholarships are intended to familiarize and connect the next generation of American leadership with the island of Ireland. These Scholarships support one year of graduate study in any discipline offered by an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Scholars must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program offered at the institution. The Mitchell Scholarship provides tuition, housing, a $12,000 living expenses stipend, and international travel. Normally, 12 Scholarships are awarded each year. Mitchell Scholars must exhibit superior records of academic excellence, leadership and public service. Strong, demonstrated achievements in all three areas are required
 
The Mitchell Scholar may study any academic discipline offered in a degree or certificate program at an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The wide range of academic interests among the Scholars -- from computer science and biotechnology to international relations and economics -- illustrates the vast opportunity for post-graduate study available.
 
APPLICATION:
SMU students and alumni/ae seeking endorsement to a State Selection Committee must submit a preliminary application to SMU's Office of National Fellowships, Perkins Administration Building.
 
 A preliminary application consists of one (1) copy of the following:
1. Application form (signed in ink)
2. College transcripts for each College/university attended
3. List of principal activities and honors in college
4. Signed short personal statement describing academic and other interests, plus
5. A minimum of four of the five (5)-eight (8) required Letters of Recommendations (See Recommendations paragraph below).

Please print and use the application forms available on the Mitchell Scholarship web site
[http://www.us-irelandalliance.org]

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Applicants are required to utilize the online recommendation functionality contained within the online application. Five to eight letters of recommendation are required for the official application with at least four of these letters from faculty from whom the applicant has taken courses (only three academic references are required for applicants who have not been full time students in the present or previous calendar years). RECOMMENDERS MUST SUBMIT ONLINE RECOMMENDATIONS. Their letters are expected to be very detailed and to address the applicant's intellectual interests quite specifically. Applicants should not, therefore, select prospective referees solely on the basis of class standing. If applicant is a full-time student, he will need an online Institutional Endorsement.

SELECTION PROCESS:
By mid-September applicants will be notified whether campus interviews will be necessary. Applicants endorsed by the Committee must complete and submit the online final (official) application by the deadline date. Each applicant must submit supporting documentation by mail (see deadline dates below). The Application Requirements and Procedures from the Mitchell web site will serve as a check-off sheet for the official application. Supporting documentation requires ONE photocopy of birth certificate, passport or documented evidence of U.S. citizenship; TEN passport-size photos of un-mounted head and shoulders photograph of the applicant with the applicant's signature on the back of each photo; and TEN copies of the applicant's college transcript (ORIGINAL must be certified by Registrar). If applicant has attended more than one college or university, all transcripts must be submitted.

 

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