Mitchell Scholarship, The University of Illinois at Urbana

The Selection commission overriding concern is the applicant’s record of academic excellence, leadership, and public service. They appear for compelling, certified demonstrate of accomplishment in these three areas, and all three fields are as important criteria for the Mitchell Scholarship. The Committee in addition to considers individual characteristics of honesty, unity, fairness, and unselfish service to other people, which suggest a potential for future leadership and contribution to society.

Eligibility :

One year of postgraduate study in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Must be under the age of 30 and a U.S. citizen.

"Priority" Deadline June 2, 2008 :

Students are encouraged to submit a priority application for the Mitchell Scholarship. The priority deadline is June 2, 2008 for students wishing to study in Ireland or Northern Ireland in 2009-10. University faculty and staff who are familiar with the Mitchell Scholarship will review materials received by this date, while only the Office of Scholarships for International Study will review materials submitted after this date. In either case, we will provide feedback on your application and are willing to work with you through the summer on subsequent revisions. No endorsement decisions will be made based on priority applications.

Please submit the following requested information to the Scholarships Office (with the exception of the Choice of University Statements, one set may be submitted covering multiple scholarships) at scholarships@illinois.edu or 321 International Studies Building, MC-480:

1. Transcripts from all colleges attended (photocopies acceptable)
2. 5-6 Letters of Recommendation (drafts acceptable)
3. Resume
4. Personal Statement of 1,000 words (Personal Statement should be in 12 point font and double spaced)
5. Choice of University Statements

In addition to the generic transcripts, personal statement, and resume, it is in your best interest to submit at least five letters of recommendation as five letters are ultimately required and a few "Choice of University Statements" outlining your choices of university and the coursework or research you propose. It is desirable to have second and third choice institutions for the Mitchell competition, so submitting multiple "Choice of University Statements" would be to your benefit.

Further information about priority deadline requirements

REQUIRED Campus Deadline 12:00 Noon August 26, 2008 :

Whether or not you turned in a priority application, a complete Mitchell application must be submitted to the Scholarships for International Study Office in order to be considered for University of Illinois endorsement (a requirement to move forward in the competition). Based on your submittal and an interview, a University of Illinois Scholarships Selection Committee will determine your endorsement. The University will endorse those candidates the Committee feels have the potential to be Mitchell Scholars; up to a handful of applicants will receive this endorsement (there is no limit on the number of endorsements, but the committee is quite judicious). The Office of Scholarships for International Study also may offer some feedback on your application, based on comments from Committee members.

Required information :

1. Transcripts from all colleges attended (photocopies acceptable– one set may be submitted covering multiple scholarships).
2. 5 Letters of Recommendation particular to the student’s Mitchell application. Letters should be written to the attention of the "Mitchell Scholarship Selection Committee." In addition, at least three of the letters must be from those you have done academic work with at the university level.
3. A printout of your complete Mitchell Scholarship application (including application form and personal statement, but no photos or copies of your birth certificate needed at this time). Do not submit the application online at this time, as you will be unable to make any changes after doing so.

Endorsed Applicant Deadline October 6, 2008 :

Those students who have been endorsed individually need both to submit their application online (with any revisions) and ensure that letter of recommendation writers submit their letters online by October 6. In addition, an applicant must ensure that the following materials are received by the Foundation by October 6: all original transcripts (and 9 copies of each), a copy of your birth certificate or passport, and 10 passport-size photos with your signature on the back of each. Once letter of recommendation writers hear from the Scholarships Office that a candidate has been endorsed, they are asked to submit their letters (with any updates) directly to the US-Ireland Alliance online. The letters of recommendation should be specifically tailored toward your application as a Mitchell Scholar and must be submitted online prior to October 6, 2008. Letters should be written to the attention of the "Mitchell Scholarship Selection Committee." The Office of Scholarships for International Study would appreciate a copy of all final materials (including letters) prior to submission.

The Final Stages :

The Office of Scholarships for International Study submits an official online University Endorsement Letter to the US-Ireland Alliance. A semifinalist interview may or may not be conducted on October 30-31, but in any case, shortlisted candidates will participate in a finalist interview on November 21-22 in Washington, DC. The Office of Scholarships for International Study will coordinate mock interviews for those students called to an interview. The final selection will be announced the day after the interviews.

For official information on the Mitchell Scholarship (which supercedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please go to:
www.us-irelandalliance.org/

For further information about applying for nationally competitive scholarships from the University of Illinois, contact:

David Schug and Laura Hastings, Directors
Scholarships for International Study
321 International Studies Building, MC-480
910 South Fifth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 244-0254
Fax: (217) 333-6270
scholarships@uiuc.edu