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Seton Hall University

Advice for Fellowship Candidates

Being a Competitive Candidate

Here are key steps you can take now to make yourself a competitive candidate:

If you are interested in applying, please contact:
Professor Matthew Escobar, Ph.D., Prestigious Fellowships Director, at [email protected]

Deadlines: Be aware of application timelines and deadlines for programs that align with your interests. These deadlines are strictly enforced.

Forge Strong Mentorships: Build meaningful relationships with faculty and other mentors who can provide guidance, advocacy, and eventually, strong, specific letters of recommendation for you.

Prioritize Academics: Grades matter significantly. While not always an explicit requirement, most top-tier fellowship programs are seeking students with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher.

Demonstrate Rigor and Vision: Pursue rigorous coursework, show a deep commitment to your area of study and articulate a clear plan for your future goals. 

Develop Language Skills: For many overseas awards, at least elementary or intermediate level foreign language proficiency is desired or required.

Seek Out Experiential Learning: Actively engage in research, study abroad, internships, service learning, and leadership development activities to develop a well-rounded and impactful résumé.

Advice for Writing Fellowship Applications

Below is some broad guidance for fellowship candidates.

If you are interested in applying, please contact: Prof. Matthew Escobar, Ph.D. Prestigious Fellowships Director, at [email protected]

Start early (6-8 months before the national deadline)

Discuss options with faculty members, especially those who know the most about your field, the university, program, and country you are applying to study in.

Visit the fellowship’s website to see what the eligibility requirements are (year of study, minimum GPA, field) as well as what their mission is.

Essays
  • Show your work to 2 or 3 readers who you respect and who will offer frank criticism.
  • Revise taking constructive criticism into account.
  • Keep to word/character limits and all other guidelines.
  • Provide concrete and specific details
  • Identify passages that you can condense or delete
  • Identify what needs to be explained further.
  • Avoid overly general statements. Follow up any claim with proof.
  • Eliminate repetition
  • Key concepts for your essays: concision, specificity, clarity and narrative arc

Consider who can write the strongest possible recommendations for you; then talk with them about your future plans and goals. Give them your CV, transcript and a paragraph on your career goals. Contact potential recommenders at least 3-4 months before the deadline.

Proposals are strengthened by your knowledge of the programs you apply for. Do as much research as you can. Use social media (such as LinkedIn) to contact those who have already been recipients of the same fellowship. Many fellowship websites include names of past recipients.

You can order transcripts here >>

An excellent application must include:

  • a feasible proposed activity
  • the necessary background and skills
  • evidence of research and preparation for project
  • what you expect to take away from the experience and how will you convey what you have learned to others
  • no exaggeration or false modesty.

Think about these questions:

  • Why did you choose your program/institution/country?
  • What coursework and job/ research/ extracurricular experience has prepared you for your proposed activity?
  • How does this project or activity fit in with your long-term career goals?