British Marshall Scholarships
At least 40 Marshall Scholarships are given annually for two years of study in a degree program at any British university. According to the Marshall Commemoration Commission, the criterion for selection of Scholars is "distinction of intellect and character as evidenced both by their scholastic attainment and by their other activities and achievements. Preference will be given to candidates who display a potential to make a significant contribution to their own society. Selectors will also look for strong motivation and seriousness of purpose, including the presentation of a specific and realistic academic programme." Candidates for Marshall Scholarships apply as representatives of their institutions and must be endorsed by their institution. The Marshall Scholarship Committee at Duke is responsible for evaluating preliminary applications, interviewing candidates, and providing endorsements as appropriate.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Marshall Commission has indicated that applicants will need a 3.7 minimum
cumulative grade point average.
BRITISH DEGREE PROGRAMS
A "specific and realistic academic programme" is a major selection factor in awarding a Marshall Scholarship. Thus, prospective applicants must inform themselves of the academic tradition and degree courses in British Universities described in the current "Rules for Candidates," and "Memorandum of Guidance" as well as other references suggested in the application information. The British Council web site [http://www.marshallscholarship.org/] provides links with each British university and a search function for degree courses. Typically, Duke students propose the M.Phil or other two-year degree in a course of study based on their undergraduate academic preparation including research experience in their chosen field. Students may also propose a second undergraduate degree (honours degree) as described in the Marshall information or a doctoral degree if a third year of support is a reasonable expectation (from Marshall or a U.S. scholarship foundation).
APPLICATION:
There is a three part application process through Duke. An intent-to-apply form is due during the first week of July . A draft of all essays are due during the first week in August. The completed application is submitted online at the Marshall Web site: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/.
The student completes the on-line application by the first week in September and submits it to us. A copy
of the transcript is also due at that time.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Applicants must request four letters of recommendation. The first of these should be designated the Preferred Recommender and this recommender should have supervised your college or university training. At least two recommendations must be provided by academics. At least three of these recommenders should be in the United States. All recommendations must be done on line, and they must be received by the campus application deadline. Recommendations are expected to be quite detailed and to provide specific examples of a candidate's level of intellectual engagement with the professor. Letters that address the candidate's grade or standing in a course without providing examples or details are not helpful in the selection process.
INTERVIEW:
All eligible applicants who meet the September deadline for the application will be interviewed by the Duke International Scholarship Committee. The interview schedule information will be announced by e-mail one or two days after the campus deadline. The interview provides one component for the Committee's evaluation of the candidate as well as providing experience to candidates.
FINAL APPLICATION:
The application for 2009 will be submitted online. Applications must be endorsed
by the Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows. The on-line application
must be submitted and authorized by a designated member of staff. Invitations
for regional interviews are issued to selected candidates in November.
For more information, please contact:
The Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows
Duke University, Smith Warehouse, Room B209, 114 S. Buchanan Blvd.
Box 90756, Durham, North Carolina 27701
Telephone: (919) 660-3070; Fax: (919) 681-7059
e-mail: ousf@duke.edu
Official Web Site
http://www.marshallscholarship.org/