The Application Process FAQ

Recommendation Letters FAQ

The Application Process FAQ



How do I find which fellowship opportunity is the best for me?

Use the search engine on this site for starters. You should also ask your faculty if they know of awards you might apply for, and check the websites of professional associations within your discipline or area of interest.

Can you find funding for me for next semester?

No. Most of these awards require application six months to a year in advance, more in some cases. And in any case, it is your responsibility to research and identify award opportunities, though I can often help with suggestions. Use the search materials on this website to get started.

Is this financial aid?

While fellowships often include awards of money, usually in the form of tuition and/or living stipends, and while on occasion these awards can be quite generous, fellowships shouldn’t be thought of primarily as financial aid. Why not?

For one, these fellowships are generally very competitive, sometimes extremely so, and are awarded to committed, driven students who are able to articulate a strong vision of who they are, where they want to go, and how the award will help them get there. Fellowship winners typically have high grades and have recommenders who can attest to how talented and committed they are. (If you don’t have any faculty yet who can do this, go visit your favorite prof during office hours and share your interest in pursuing an award.)

In addition, the fellowship application process can be arduous. While financial aid forms are cumbersome, you typically needn’t spend several months putting them together. To win a Fulbright, a Rhodes, a Marshall, you generally will spend three to six months (or more!) working on an application, with a good dozen revisions of your essay!

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How competitive are these awards?

Competition varies by program, but generally speaking, these are among the very most competitive awards out there. And while some programs are less competitive than others, they all are for the highest achieving students in the program’s area of interest.

Am I eligible for X award?

Look at the website. Each program typically specifies non-negotiable eligibility criteria, having to do with objective measures like citizenship status, GPA, discipline, degree level, and so on. Do you meet all those requirements? Some awards also give criteria that are not required but are desired and are frequently found in their winners – leadership, for example, or commitment to public service.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for an award?

Read the program description carefully, beginning with the eligibility criteria. Do you meet all of those requirements? Then look at the description of the program mission, or a description of what kind of people/projects they fund. Does this sound like where your passions are? It’s hard to fake this stuff and win.

If the site posts information on past winners, take a look. Can you see yourself on that list? Ask your professors. Share with them the criteria for the award and ask them if they think you make a strong candidate. Ask, too, what you can do to become a stronger candidate.

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Can I apply for more than one award?

Generally speaking, absolutely. You can apply for as many awards as you have time for. Once you’ve done the introspection and self-analysis necessary to fill out an award application well, you often better understand who you are and are better able to articulate your goals and ambitions. This makes it much easier fill out subsequent applications.

You’ll have to read the specifics for each award, though, to see whether you are allowed to receive multiple cash awards. Most organizations are fine with you receiving awards for different purposes; they do not tend to look kindly on “double-dipping,” however.

I just found a perfect fellowship for me, but the deadline just passed two days ago. Can I still apply?

No. Deadlines are non-negotiable in the fellowships world. Look for other awards with later deadlines, or try again next year if you are still eligible.

There are so many details to keep track of. How can I keep myself organized and on track to make this happen?

Time management is essential. Between 10-week quarters, co-op, exams, social activities, and so on, staying on top of deadlines can be a challenge. Try to make a calendar for yourself with all of your obligations on it, including draft deadlines for your fellowship applications. If you are having trouble staying organized, make an appointment with Drexel Learning Center or make an appointment with me. The Student Checklist can also help you stay organized and focused.

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My grades aren’t the best. Do I still have a chance?

o It is true that high grades undoubtedly help in the search for competitive fellowships, but programs vary in their insistence on top grades. Those that value high grades usually say so in the eligibility and/or criteria sections of their websites. If the program you are interested in doesn’t specify a minimum GPA, or if the minimum GPA is somewhat lower, and if the rest of your application is stellar (you can demonstrate motivation, passion, excellence in other areas), you may still be a strong candidate.

I had a best semester because [I was sick, I had personal/family problems, I had two other jobs, etc.]. The rest of my grades have been excellent, but because of this one semester my GPA is lower. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your application is otherwise excellent, I can often write a letter on your behalf explaining limited exceptional circumstances.

I’m a freshman. It’s probably too soon to apply, right? Anything I can do in the meantime to improve my chances later on?

Well, it depends on what you are applying for. There are a few award opportunities for first year undergraduates to apply for, and even more for second years to apply for. And even more for third years.

If you think you are likely to want to apply for one of these awards, you should, in the meantime:
1) keep your grades high,
2) foster strong relationships with faculty,
3) get engaged in something you care about. Evidence of sincere leadership and engagement are often key to putting out a strong application.

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Recommendation Letters FAQ

Who should I ask for recommendation letters?

The best letters come from people who know you best, who have seen you at your best. Their position or title is less important than their ability to give detailed evidence of just how fantastic you are. So you want to ask people who have had the opportunity to see firsthand how dynamic, brilliant, committed, passionate, effective you are.

That said, be sure to follow the individual program’s guidelines as to how many letters they want and how many must be from faculty.

When should I ask for recommendation letters?

You should connect with potential recommenders just as soon as you think you are going to pursue an application. Try to actually ask for the recommendation a month or more in advance of the deadline. And come prepared.

What can I do to make sure my letters are as strong as they can be?

  • Try to get to know faculty before you ask them to write a letter. Take some time to go to office hours, ask for assistance, look for opportunities to develop and strengthen that relationship.
  • These visits will help you to gauge the strength of individual faculty member’s support. If it’s tepid, you’ll be better served going elsewhere for your letters. If your potential supporters are all tepid, you might be well-served by postponing or even reconsidering whether you are a suitable candidate for the award.
  • When you are ready to ask for the letter, make an appointment. Don’t ask on the way out the door after class or in the hallway. Sit down, have a conversation. Come prepared. (See next question.)
  • Give the potential recommender a gracious way to say no.
  • Waive confidentiality.
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What should I bring with me when I ask for a recommendation letter?

Come prepared. When you do ask someone to write a recommendation letter, you should have a packet of paper materials ready that include the following:
  • A one-paragraph description of the award that you are applying for – especially its purpose and evaluation criteria.
  • Any additional program materials that will help explain what it is you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for Fulbright, be sure to include a country summary for your host country.
  • Information about you:
    • A resume or CV.
    • A one-paragraph or shorter description of your proposed project (if appropriate), or why you are applying for the award.
    • Perhaps a sample of work that you’ve done for the recommender.
  • Details about how to submit the recommendation letter: is it submitted online or in paper? What is the address? When is the deadline?
  • Your contact information and mine.
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I don’t really know any faculty particularly, though I’ve done pretty well in my classes. What should I do about letters?

You should start by strengthening those relationships as far in advance as you can. In fact, start now. Visit potential faculty recommenders in office hours or set up appointments to meet with them. Explain what you are thinking of doing and ask for their honest assessment of your candidacy. You might ask, too, whether they would feel comfortable supporting you in your efforts.

Consider including non-faculty members in your pool of potential recommenders. Depending on the award rules and criteria, a co-op supervisor or student activities supervisor is often (but not always) an appropriate choice.

These visits will help you to gauge the strength of individual faculty member’s support. If it’s tepid, you’ll be better served going elsewhere for your letters. If your supporters are all tepid, you might be well-served by postponing or even reconsidering whether you are a suitable candidate for the award.

I know I have strong references. Can I submit more letters than are required?

Each program has its own rules, but generally speaking you may only submit the number of letters that are requested. Look carefully at the program website for clarification.

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