Truman Scholarship

I write to announce a call for candidates for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Created in 1975, the Truman Scholarship is a federally-administered award honoring our 33rd President.  Each year, 60-65 U.S. college juniors are selected for their potential to become leaders committed to a life of public service.  The Scholarship awards a total of $30,000 toward a graduate or professional degree, and connects beneficiaries to the federal government and other Scholars through events and announcements sponsored by the Truman Scholars Association.  

 

Additional information is available here:  http://www.truman.gov

If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please email Ellen Seljan (eseljan@lclark.edu) as soon as possible so that she may help guide you through the application process.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen.
2. Be in the third year of a four-year undergraduate program (a student with junior standing, a transfer student with junior standing, or a third year student graduating early).

Additionally, competitive candidates will:

1. Demonstrate academic achievement sufficient to place them in a top graduate or professional school in their chosen field.
2. Display excellent communication skills and an extensive record of leadership, public and/or community service.  Examples include campus activities, voluntary community service, work with nonprofits or NGOs, time spent in government, or military or ROTC service.
3. Desire for a career in public service, including in federal, state, or local government, international organizations or development agencies, education, nonprofit advocacy or policy-based research.  Truman Scholars pledge to spend three of their first seven post-graduate years in public service.

DEADLINES

The College may nominate up to four candidates.  Candidates should submit their application materials to me (MSC 12, John Howard Hall 331, eseljan@lclark.edu) by January 1; an institutional committee will make the final nomination decision.

Applications should include a resume, transcript, three letters of recommendation, responses to the Truman Scholarship’s background questions, and a policy proposal.  If necessary, candidates may be asked to meet with faculty to discuss their nomination.

Once nominated by the College, candidates must submit the Truman Scholarship’s online application byFebruary 5.  The Truman Scholars Association will select finalists for interviews in late February and announce winners at the end of March.