Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Overview
The Truman Scholarship is regarded as the premier award for Juniors. It is awarded in recognition and support of outstanding potential as a future leader, scholar, public servant and agent of change in society.
The Truman seeks those who can say "yes" to some of the following:
*I hope to be a "change agent," in time, improving the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions serve the public.
*There are conditions in our society or the environment which trouble me.
*I want to work in government, education, the nonprofit sector, or the public interest/advocacy sector to improve these conditions.
*I am comfortable committing to work in public service for three of the first seven years after I complete a Foundation-funded graduate degree.
*I would like to get a master's degree, a doctorate, or a professional degree such as a law degree or a Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, Master of Public Policy, or Master of International Affairs.
The Truman also seeks students with extensive community service in two more of the following:
*Student government and/or campus-based extracurricular activities;
*Community service-related activities that were not organized by my school or by my fraternity/sorority;
*Government internships, commissions or boards, advocacy or interest groups, nonpartisan political activities, or military/ROTC ;
*Partisan political activities and campaigns.
Additionally, students should be able to say:
*I have been involved with organizations or activities related to my career interests.
*I have demonstrated some of my leadership potential.
*I have sufficiently strong grades and coursework to gain admittance to a first-rate graduate institution.
*I read regularly a good national newspaper and a thoughtful periodical.
*I have had one or more courses relating to my career interests.
*I am capable of analyzing a public issue in my intended career area and presenting my findings in a one-page memo to a government official who could take action.
*I am willing to prepare an outstanding application and policy proposal under the supervision of my Truman Faculty Representative.
*I believe I could hold my own in a challenging interview conducted by a panel of prominent public servants, educators, and former Truman Scholars.
*I could use $30,000 to continue my education.
Each year, 55-60 Truman Scholars are selected from a pool of around 600. Awards typically granted as 1 winner per state, with a handful of additional "wildcard" recipients. Wabash may nominate up to 4 outstanding juniors, who will compete against other juniors within his own state.
Truman Scholars are allowed to - and actually encouraged to -- defer their graduate studies for a year or more after receiving their Bachelor's degree.
Deadline Information
Early February (with NOVEMBER campus selection process)
Eligibility Requirements
Must be a college junior while applying.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or will have received U.S. Citizenship by the time the scholarship is awarded.
Process
Receiving one of Wabash's four available nominations may well require an on-campus pre-selection process. Students interested in being considered will be provided a deadline for presenting certain portions of the Truman application and then interviewing with the Graduate Fellowship Committee. Those selected will continue to work closely with the Graduate Fellowship Advisor and will have a second interview with the GFC near the deadline. Any necessary pre-selection will occur in December.
Successful candidates must not only be outstanding scholars, with an extensive record of leadership and service experiences and a drive to work for improvements in society. They must also be able to articulate future plans for graduate school, public service work planned immediately after grad school, and a vision for 5-7 years beyond that. They must also be capable of identifying a problem or problems of society which they would like to work to address AND be able to put together a thoughtful policy proposal to address one particular aspect of the problem.
Application consists of:
*An online component, including biographical and educational information; service, leadership, internship and work experience; awards and publications; etc.
*A series of essays relating to leadership, public service, graduate school and early career plans.
*Identification of the problem or needs of society which the applicant would like to work to address; then a detailed policy proposal relating to a particular aspect of that problem, addressed to a specific individual in a position to receive such a proposal.
*3 letters of recommendation (1 related to the service essay, 1 related to the leadership essay, 1 an academic reference)
*Transcript
*Letter of Institutional Nomination (provided by the Fellowship Advisor)
Applicants who are named Finalists will be informed by the end of February and will be invited for interview. Truman Scholars are announced in April.
| Compensation: | Up to $30,000 for graduate school expenses |
|---|---|
| Location: | Any graduate program |
| Duration: | Depends upon graduate degree sought |
| Eligible Students: | Full-time students who have Junior status (or Senior-level standing in their 3rd year) |
| Academic Areas: | Any discipline |
| Areas Of Interest: | Social change, public policy, politics, economics, government, education, health care, law, advocacy, non-profits, international affairs, justice, community engagement, public service |