Has anyone applied for the Soros scholarship for international study? I'm really interested in understanding the eligibility criteria and how it might help me as an international student. Any tips or experiences would be appreciated!
The Soros Fellowship for New Americans is indeed a great opportunity for supporting postgraduate education for new Americans. Here's some useful information on the scholarship and its application process.
The Soros Fellowship considers you eligible if you're a green card holder, a naturalized citizen (if born abroad), or a DACA recipient. You may also qualify if you were born in the US and both of your parents were born abroad as non-US citizens.
One of the key things about the Soros Fellowship is its focus on the "new American" experience, as well as the potential for leadership and impact the candidate may have on the United States. This means that the fellowship is not merely a merit-based academic scholarship; it also evaluates the non-academic aspects of an applicant, such as evidence of creativity, originality, initiative and sustained accomplishment.
As for the application, it typically consists of a few essays, a resume, two sets of standardized test scores (from grad school or college entrance exams, for example), three recommendation letters, and your transcripts. It's important to note that the essays usually carry the most weight and generally require introspection about your 'New American' experiences and impact.
If chosen, one of the main benefits of the Soros Fellowship is its significant financial support. It provides up to $90,000 in support over two years, with up to $25,000 in stipend support and the remainder in tuition support. It can therefore make a major difference in how you finance your postgraduate education.
For more details, you should definitely visit the official Soros Fellowship website. This offers comprehensive instructions and information about the program and also provides profiles of the current and past fellows, which will give you a sense of the diversity and accomplishments of the scholars selected for this fellowship.
Good luck with your application!
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