What is a Fellowship?
Fellowships are merit-based awards offering funding for a variety of opportunities such as study abroad, learning a language, research, professional development, community or civic service, teaching, post-graduate study, etc. Fellowships can expand your potential by providing experiences to develop skills, deepen your knowledge and broaden your perspectives.
What services does Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor provide and how can I make contact?
Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor provides insight, guidance and logistical support to any student or alumni who is considering applying for a fellowship. You can contact Baruch’s Fellowships Advisor by sending an email to Fellowships@baruch.cuny.edu.
When should I start exploring fellowships?
The sooner you begin your search for a fellowship the more options you may have as many application deadlines fall almost a year before the commencement of the program. Starting early will also allow for more time to prepare a competitive application, as well as to improve your overall candidacy by giving you time to establish relationships with faculty and engage in extracurricular activities which may help to show that you are a well-rounded and compelling candidate.
How can I find fellowships that fit my goals?
The Office of National & Prestigious Fellowships has a variety of resources to help Baruch students explore and find fellowships that align with their goals. These include:
- Getting Started
- Finding Fellowships
- Fellowships Info Sessions & Events
- Searchable Fellowships Directory
- One on One advising with Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor
How do I determine if I am eligible or qualified to apply?
Once you have selected a fellowship that matches your interests, visit the fellowship’s official website and view their eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
Eligibility criteria are straightforward and clearly define who may apply. Eligibility criteria may vary based on citizenship status, field of study, academic level or a combination of many other factors.
Selection criteria help to determine who is qualified to apply. This can be less than straightforward to interpret as selection criteria may include such things as having: a strong academic record, research experience, exceptional motivation, a record of leadership experience or evidence of community engagement.
You may be technically eligible to apply for a given award, but whether or not you are a competitive candidate is determined by the your qualifications compared to the selection criteria.
If you’re eligible and determined to apply connect with Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor to see if it’s a good fit for you. If it isn’t a good fit, we may be able to suggest one that is!
How do I obtain Baruch’s endorsement for fellowships that require it?
For some nationally competitive fellowships, applicants must receive the endorsement of Baruch College in order for their application to be eligible for consideration. This institutional endorsement (or nomination) means that a fellowship applicant is submitting their application with the official approval of their college or university, administered through Baruch’s Fellowships Advisor. Applicants for these awards must reach out to the Prestigious Fellowships Advisor to discuss their interest in applying for these awards. Email: Fellowships@Baruch.cuny.edu
Can I apply for more than one fellowship?
Absolutely! You can apply for as many fellowships as you would like; there is no limit and it does not hurt your chances to apply for multiple awards. In fact, some fellowships, though distinct, overlap in terms of required materials, so it makes sense to apply for all that are relevant to your interests and goals.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I still apply for fellowships?
Yes. Although many fellowships are for US citizens or permanent residents, there are a number of grants for foreign nationals as well. Please search Baruch’s Fellowship Directory for opportunities for foreign nationals.
Who should I ask for Letters of Recommendation from?
The best letters come from people who know you best, who have witnessed firsthand how dynamic, brilliant, committed, or effective you are. This can be from experience working with you in the classroom, during a job or internship, as a student athlete, or during your participation in a campus community or during an extracurricular activity. Their position or title is less important than their ability to give detailed examples of how you meet the selection criteria and mission of the fellowship that you are applying to.
The letter writer should also have the experience to speak authoritatively about how remarkable your qualities are. A graduate student or fellow student, for example, is rarely qualified to do this. Baruch’s Prestigious Fellowships Advisor can offer guidance who you should ask for letters of recommendation from given a fellowship’s specific criteria.
Be sure to also follow the individual program’s guidelines for the number of required letters and how many of those must come from faculty.
If I don’t win the first time, should I reapply?
Yes, as long as you still fulfill the eligibility requirements for a given fellowship. A second application often impresses a scholarship committee by underscoring your personal commitment to the scholarship’s mission and goals.