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British Marshall Scholarship
The British Marshall Scholarships, named for General George
C. Marshall, former U.S. Secretary of State, funded by the
British Government from 1953, in gratitude to the United States
for economic aid under the European Recovery Program (the
Marshall Plan) after World War II
Two (minimum) to three years study &/or research in any
field at a British university at undergraduate or graduate
level leading to the award of a British university degree.
BEGIN APPLICATION AS JUNIOR.
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 the Marshall is the end of August. Petitions
to register later may be considered from students who show
exceptional promise to be successful in fellowships competitions.
British Masters degrees are recommended as it is customary
in the UK that students don't normally go straight into a
PhD, but instead complete a Masters which then counts towards
the PhD. A strong PhD proposal with a Masters step will be
considered. Five-year degrees (e.g. medicine) are unlikely
to be supported.
Possible time extensions via university grants to complete
a doctorate. THIS IS A TOP FELLOWSHIP NECESSITATING EARLY
PREPARATION.
Open to U.S. citizen holding bachelor degree before October
1 at start of first fellowship school year in U.K. but from
after April three years prior: e.g. begin fellowship fall
2003, degree conferred after April 2000. A 2003 Marshall Scholar
would have applied and been awarded in 2002, i.e. bachelor
degree must have been conferred within two years prior to
application year.
Minimum 3.7 (A-) GPA. GPA of 3.5+ may be considered if the
applicant is outstanding in other respects, e.g. exceptional
artist, musician, leader, communicator.
Show potential of proposed British studies to contribute
significantly to society, also with demonstrated: Leadership
qualities. Communication skills. Excellence in academic achievement.
Up to 40 awards a year covering cost of studying and living
in Britain, about $28,000 a year. There are eight U.S. regions,
each nominating five scholars, from about 20 finalists invited
to interview (i.e. one in four interviewees chosen as scholars
= 25% chance). About 950 applicants a year = 4% chance.
Present your proposal to a British university faculty member
before the European summer vacation and secure an invitation/encouragement/welcome
from an institution to study, research there. Marshall Scholars
are allowed to take two one-year Masters courses, even at
two different universities. Show suitable undergraduate preparation
for intended British graduate studies.
For variations in eligibility criteria, check www.marshallscholarship.org
which has interactive application forms that can be completed
online then printed. Also includes application rules and guidance.
If your first choice is either Oxford, Cambridge, or London
University, then none of these three universities may be your
second choice. Consider academic proposals carefully because
requests later to change course or institution will be considered
only when there are strong academic reasons.
Applicants must have Smith endorsement and can apply in
one of eight regions where they legally live or where they
study. Smith is in the Boston region comprising Massachusetts,
Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut
(excluding Fairfield County).
Email addresses of professors are available.
For Marshall application and interview strategies from past
winners, look at the Live
to Learn website.
UK Universities
