Marshall Scholarships

Funds two years of graduate study leading to a degree in any field at a U.K. institution.  Award covers university fees, tuition, books, a thesis grant, research and daily travel, plus fares to and from the U.S.

ELIGIBILITY
Must be a U.S. citizen. Seniors, graduate or professional students, and recent alumni are eligible to apply within two years of earning their undergraduate degree.  A minimum 3.7 GPA is required. Applicants cannot apply directly to the Marshall Commission; rather, they must receive university endorsement in order to submit a Marshall application. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE
As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars will strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging in their interests, and their time as Scholars will enhance their intellectual and personal growth. Marshall Scholars are expected to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences, and the creative arts, at Britain’s centers of academic excellence.

The specific selection criteria are:

1. Academic merit: The quality of the applicant’s proposed program of study, their knowledge of their proposed courses and supervisors, evidence of academic excellence and background relevant to their planned field of study, and the quality and breadth of their recommendations
2. Leadership potential: Ability to deliver results, strength of purpose (as evidenced in commitment to extracurricular involvements), creativity and innovation in the applicant’s approach to solving problems, and self-awareness in their desire to contribute to society and their impact so far
3. Ambassadorial potential: Knowledge of US/UK relations, evidence of transferable extracurricular activities, interpersonal skills and ability to engage with others, self-confidence, and ability to seize opportunities

In sum, applicants should have a clear idea of what they want to study, how their goals build on their past accomplishments in and out of the classroom, and how they expect to make a major contribution or help to advance their field.

WEBSITE
http://www.marshallscholarship.org

HOW TO GET STARTED

Students must apply through OURSD by the required campus deadline (August 22, 2024) in order to be considered for endorsement.

• Interested students must contact OURSD as early as possible in spring semester (and no later than June 15, 2024) to discuss their possible candidacy.
  • Book an appointment with an OURSD team member.  (Once in Handshake, go to "Specialized Appointments," then "Undergraduate Research and Fellowships/Scholarship Appointments.")
  • If you are away from campus, we will arrange a virtual meeting.

PRE-APPLICATIONS DUE: JUNE 15, 2024

The pre-application process allows us to begin working early with applicants for the Marshall and other UK awards.  After submitting your pre-application, you will receive targeted feedback from OURSD that will allow you to begin crafting a competitive full application for the campus endorsement process. In some cases, we may recommend that you consider other opportunities that are a better fit.

Required materials:

• Pre-Application form (link in right-hand side bar)
• Current résumé
• Unofficial Carnegie Mellon transcript
• Two recommendation letters emailed to OURSD. Be sure to give each recommender the document “Instructions for Recommenders – UK Awards.” Note that these are not final letters, and recommenders will have the opportunity to make updates to them.
• A personal statement of 1,000 words that outlines your intellectual and professional interests and achievements, future goals, and reasons for pursuing study in the UK.

REQUIRED CAMPUS DEADLINE: AUGUST 22, 2024

Required Materials:

• A signed Scholarship Waiver
• A complete Marshall Scholarship application (including all essays) submitted online. If you receive endorsement, you will be able to make changes to your application ahead of the final deadline.
• Transcripts for all colleges or universities attended, including study abroad (unofficial CMU transcripts are okay at this stage)
• Three recommendation letters specifically tailored for the Marshall Scholarship. Letters should be written to the “Marshall Scholarship Selection Committee” and are limited to 1,000 words. Recommenders should email their letters directly to OURSD.

After the campus deadline, the campus Marshall Endorsement Committee will review all applications.  Applicants may be asked to interview with the committee as part of the endorsement process.  Endorsed applicants will then be notified and guided through the final steps of the application process.

ENDORSED APPLICANT DEADLINE: September 27, 2024

By this date, endorsed applicants must upload all revised documents to the online Marshall application and submit the application. Hard copies of official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, and any supplementary materials for arts candidates, must be submitted to our office by this date as well.  We will mail these hard copies to the regional selection panel. Finally, recommenders must be registered online, and all letters uploaded by them, by this date. 

MARSHALL NATIONAL DEADLINE: Early October 2024

By this date, OURSD will complete a University Endorsement Letter and formally submit your application to the Marshall Commission.  Interview notifications are sent out by the regional panels in November.  OURSD assists finalists with interview preparation, including organizing mock interviews.