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Harry S. Truman Scholarship
What:
A scholarship for up to four years of graduate study in public service fields. Established by Congress, the Harry S. Truman Foundation's grants begin during senior year for students who intend careers in government or public service. Additionally, the Foundation provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development.
Who is eligible:
You must be a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree on a full-time basis; have a B average and be in the upper fourth of your class; be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national; have selected a major that will permit admission to a graduate program leading to a career in government or public service at the federal, state, or municipal level; and have demonstrated an interest in such a career.
Selection Procedure:
Submit applications to the SOP, which will convene a faculty screening panel to nominate up to four candidates. Semifinalists are selected nationally from university nominations, and are interviewed by Regional Review Panels composed of scholars and public officials.
Each Panel recommends two people per state, plus up to six candidates for
Scholars-at-Large.
In 2010, the Foundation will select 60-65 Truman Scholars from among over 600 applications forwarded by over 50 colleges and universities. Winners were chosen by 15 selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and the likelihood of "making a difference." Each panel typically included a university president, a federal judge, a distinguished public servant, and a past Truman Scholarship winner.
Deadline: UCI 12/2/2009 (Optional Review)
Deadline: UCI 1/4/2010 (Due to SOP)
Who wins:
According to the Executive Director of the Truman Foundation,
applicants selected for interview "show a long history of
involvement in what the program seeks to reward (public
service and government activities), have exerted leadership,
have fine academic achievements, reveal some unique and
interesting (preferably memorable) aspects about themselves
and their experiences, provide a graduate school proposal
that makes sense, prepare a carefully thought out and
well-researched public policy analysis," write well, and
have strong letters of reference. The Director's detailed
description of the qualities that distinguish successful
applications and interviews are available in the SOP office.
Many winners major in economics, political science, or
history. However, students in a wide range of majors may
be strong candidates because a wide variety of disciplines
prepare students for careers in public service. Students
majoring in such fields as chemistry, engineering, environmental
studies, foreign languages, mathematics, and computer sciences
(among others) are encouraged to apply.
UCI student Mukul Kumar received a Truman Scholarship in 2006. In 2005, Vanessa Zuabi was declared a finalist. In 2004, Jacqueline Chattopadhyay received a Truman Scholarship. You may view their applications - as well as those of previous UCI Truman Scholars - in the SOP office.
Finances:
Up to $30,000: $3,000 for the senior year and up to $27,000 a year for three years of graduate study.
Comments:
An outstanding and highly prestigious scholarship for students who intend a career in public service.
The application includes an analysis of a public policy issue or problem in the form of a memo to the officeholder you feel could do the most to resolve the issue. It also includes a statement of interest in a career in government or public service that shows how your educational plans will prepare you for that career, and three letters of recommendation.
World Wide Web: Further information and applications are available at:
http://www.truman.gov
For applications and more information, contact the Scholarship
Opportunities Program at 824-5461 in the Office of the Campuswide
Honors Program, 1200 Student Services II.
SOP is able to provide counseling and applications to UCI Students only.
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Division of Undergraduate Education