Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarships were established by the British government in 1953 to express British gratitude for the European Recovery Program, instituted by General George C. Marshall in 1947 when he served as U.S. Secretary of State. Up to forty scholarships are offered each year, five for each of eight regions into which the U.S. is divided. The scholarship, which pays overseas transportation, all tuition and fees, plus a personal allowance, is tenable for two years and can, in a few exceptional cases, be renewed for a third year. The scholarship is for study at any university in the United Kingdom.
Eligibility and Qualifications
“In appointing Marshall scholars the selectors will look for distinction of intellect and character as evidenced by their scholastic achievement and by their other activities and achievements. Preference will be given to candidates who combine high academic ability with the capacity to play an active part in the life of the United Kingdom university to which they go, and to those who display a potential to make significant contribution to their society.”
- Candidate must be a U.S. citizen by October
- A candidate must have graduated within four years from her or his undergraduate university, unless she or he is seeking to enroll in a British business school
- A candidate must have maintained a grade point average of no less than 3.70.
Application Procedures and Selection Criteria
Applications are entirely electronic and available at http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applications.
Selection criteria:
- Intellectual distinction
- Potential to become a leader and decision-maker
- Strong motivation and seriousness of purpose
- Outward-looking disposition and an interest in society in general
- Good communication skills
- Potential to promote British-American understanding
The formal application requires:
- Letter of endorsement from Penn
- Outline of proposed studies in the U.K.
- Statement describing academic and other interests and pursuits
- Four letters of recommendation
- Official college transcripts
Timeframe
Applications must be endorsed by CURF. In order to obtain that endorsement, applicants need to be in touch with Cheryl Shipman, Fellowship Coordinator, and submit a complete application by September 12, 2011. (Recommendations do not need to be submitted at this time.) Given the constraints of the Marshall Scholarship, it is likely that not all qualified applicants can be endorsed. Discussion of ideas and intent to apply are strongly encouraged even earlier. Final application materials are submitted to Marshall on-line by September 30, 2011. (Transcripts must be mailed to arrive at regional center by that date.)
By early November the selection boards, situated in British consulates in each of the eight regions throughout the U.S., will have met and selected applicants for interviews that are held in early November. The announcement of the Marshall Scholars occurs in early December. Penn students may apply through either the region in which they have permanent residency or in the New York region in which Penn is located. The decision of which region to apply through must be made in consultation with Harriet Joseph.
Contact
Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6224
Phone: 215-746-6488
Fax: 215-573-4869