Looking to the Future

Every year Ferrum College students graduate and go on to professional school, graduate school, internships, and jobs in their chosen fields. Honors students are ambitious, capable, and well-prepared, and participating in the Boone Honors Program can give them a head start for graduate school or their career.

National Scholarships and Fellowships

Honors students who want to pursue national scholarships and fellowships should start making plans early. What are national fellowships? They are scholarships for graduate (in some case, undergraduate) work that are awarded on a competitive basis to a limited number of students. Since the amount of money is great and the prestige of receiving one is an honor that remains throughout one’s life, these scholarships are often referred to as national or prestigious fellowships.

What kind of student becomes a finalist or winner of one of these awards? Nationwide, the recipients of prestigious fellowships tend to be purposeful, hard-working person, persons who know what their own goals are and who know how to work towards them. Ferrum students can increase their chances of become a finalist or recipient of a prestigious national fellowship by undertaking work towards that goal, preferably as early in one’s college career as possible. This means involvement in the Honors Program, selecting a broad range of challenging courses, doing substantial outside reading including regular reading of newspapers and periodicals, being aware of current events, participating in meaningful summer experiences (such as research or public service projects), being involved in college and community organizations and activities. Although only a small number of students “win” one of these awards, there are no “losers” in the competition. The effort and thought involved in the exercise of preparing an application is beneficial to students as they apply for graduate schools or employment.

 A Brief Summary of Qualifications For Selected National Fellowships

Fulbright:  For graduate study abroad.
website: http://www.iie.org/fulbright/

• Proficiency in foreign language.  Minimum of two years.
• A special project for research: a legitimate, thought out project, can be completed in a year, the host country is an appropriate plan to carry it out, student is capable of doing the wok independently
• Evidence of adaptability and motivation
• Academic success in major

Application Date: October of senior year.  Candidate must be evaluated and approved by campus evaluation team. 

Goldwater:  For undergraduate study of math and sciences. 
website: http://www.act.org/goldwater/

• B average in upper quartile of class
• Enrolled in field of study leading to career in math or natural science.
• One scholarship awarded to a resident of each of the 50 sates

Application Date:  December of sophomore or junior year. Candidate must be nominated by his or her college

Marshall:  For graduate study in Great Britain. 
website: http://www.acu.ac.uk/marshall/

• Excellent academic record
• Specific and realistic course of graduate study outlined; strong preparation for that particular course
• “Convincing argument as to why a particular course in Britain will enhance applicant’s career plans.”

Application Date:  October of senior year.  Candidate must be endorsed and evaluated by campus evaluation team.

Rhodes:  For graduate study at Oxford University
website: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/

• Unmarried
• “Proven intellectual and academic ability of a high standard”
• Demonstrated leadership and good character
• Physical vigor; traditionally was demonstrated by participation in varsity sports

Application date  October of senior year.  Candidate must be evaluated and nominated by campus evaluation team. 

Truman:  For graduate and undergraduate study, for those planning careers in public service.
website: http://www.truman.gov/welcome.html

• B average in upper quartile of class
• Demonstrated potential for leadership and success in public service
• Breadth of accomplishments; actual public service
• Specific and realistic goals, commitment and maturity to reach them.At least one scholarship awarded to resident of each of the 50 states.

Application Date:  December of junior year.  Candidate must be nominated by campus evaluation team

James Madison:  Junior fellowships for master’s or Master of Arts in Teaching degrees in history, government, or political science. 
website: http://www.jamesmadison.com/

• Plan to seek employment as a secondary school teacher of American history, American government, or social studies upon completion of graduate studies.
• Demonstrated intent to pursue a program of graduate study that emphasizes the Constitution.
• Demonstrated record of devotion to civic responsibility.
• At lest one fellowship awarded to resident of each of the 50 states.

Application Date:  March of senior year

Ford Foundation:  Predoctoral and Dissertation fellowships for minorities.
website: http://www4.nationalacademies.org/osep/fo.nsf/web/fordpredoc/

• Study in research-based doctoral programs in academic discplinaries that lead to careers in teaching or research.
• Professional degrees (e.g. law, medicine) and programs that are practice oriented will not be supported.
• Member of a minority group
• GRE test is required
• No more than 30 semester hours of graduate level study for predoctoral fellowship

Application Date: November.

Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies:  For students to prepare for teaching and scholarship in humanistic studies.
website: http://www.woodrow.org/mellon/

• College senior or graduate not currently enrolled in graduate program.
• Entry level, one year, portable merit fellowship
• For degree programs leading to the Ph.D. degree

Application Date: Request for application is November.  Complete application due in December.

Other Oportunities

Rotary Foundation Scholarships: Short term and year long scholarships to study in another country
website: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html

• Purpose of Scholarship program is to further interational understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Winners are expected to speak at Rotary Club meetings during tenure of scholarship and after return to the States.
• Several types of scholarships: 3-6 month cultural ambassador scholarships (for language sstudy and cultural immersion), academic year amassadorial scholarships (all expenses up to US$25,000), or multi-year Ambassadorial scholarship (flat grant of $12,000 per year)
• Academic and Multi-year Ambassadorial scholarships require language proficency of proposed study country.
• Initial application through local Rotary Club.

Career Services

The Career Services office in the college's Experiential Learning Center offers a number of services and activities for students exploring options for graduate schools and careers. For those with graduate school in their plans, students may take computer-administered tests for the GRE and the GMAT. Other computer-administered tests such as Focus II, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Self Directed Search help students gather information about their interests and values as related to career choices. The office also provides information about opportunities for summer employment, internships, or volunteer services which can help students gain valuable experience as they explore vocational choices. Students are encouraged to visit the office early in their college career.

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