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START APPLICATION AFTER WINTER BREAK!
The most advantageous time to register for a fellowship is in the spring, starting
mid February. Statistics show that those who register earlier fare far better. The
deadline to register for early fall fellowships (DAAD, Fulbright, Gates, Marshall,
Mitchell, Rhodes) is the end of August. The deadline to register for late fall and early
spring fellowships (Beinecke, Boren, Killam, Luce, Truman, Udall) is the end of September.
Petitions to register later may be considered from students who show exceptional promise
to be successful in fellowships competitions.
FIRST-YEARS: Boren, Daad Undergraduate, Killam
SOPHOMORES: Beinecke, Truman, Udall
JUNIORS: Daad, Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Luce, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes
SENIORS, GRADUATES and ALUMNAE:
Some seniors who leave applications to the fall of their senior year (i.e. did not start in the spring of their junior year) decide there is not enough time to do a decent job and or are not sure enough what they want to pursue. However, they do know they want to apply for a fellowship, but only after they graduate. All eight of the main fellowships open to seniors (Daad, Fulbright, Gates, Luce, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes) are also open to alumnae, although check the relevant Eligibility Requirements link for cutoff ages and the like such as number of years past graduation. Some, such as the Luce, might even be more suited to alumnae, depending on the individual’s experience and maturity or "seasoning."
Plan to use your time, between now and when you apply, constructively to boost your chances. This can make all the difference. Fellowships are heavily interested in community service and leadership, in taking the initiative to produce tangible results. Your background also usually needs to support your proposal, academically and otherwise, although each fellowship is different and specific in terms of what they seek.
Consider the timeframe if you plan to apply the year after you graduate (which is actually the fall following the spring you graduate): You will begin preparing the application in February of your senior year, it will be formally submitted in the fall of the same year you graduate, you will hear the results in the spring of the following calendar year, and you would begin the fellowship in the fall of this same year that you hear the result, thereby having had a year off between college and taking up the fellowship.
