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Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
What:
The purpose of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, which offers grants for up to two years of graduate study in the U.S., is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished new immigrants and children of immigrants to achieve leadership in their chosen fields. Winners may study any subject anywhere in the U.S.
The Program was established in recognition of the contributions New Americans have made to American life and in gratitude for the opportunities the United States afforded the donors and their family. The Program is open to individuals who retain loyalty and a sense of commitment to their country of origin as well as to the United States, but is intended to support individuals who will continue to regard the United States as their principal residence and focus of national identity.
Who is eligible:
A New American is an individual who is a permanent resident, a naturalized U.S. citizen or the child of two naturalized citizens. A Green Card holder must have had more than one year of IRS filings. Candidates may not be over age 30 on November 1, 2009 and must either have a Bachelor's degree or be in her/his final year of undergraduate study. (Trustees strongly encourage applications from candidates who have not yet begun their graduate studies, but will consider candidates in the first or second years of graduate studies.)
Selection Procedure:
The application and selection process will take place in the late fall and winter; candidates learn the status of their applications by late December. Interviews are conducted in January and winners will be announced in Marchy. Fellows will be expected to begin their graduate study no later than the following September. Applicants must submit: an application form, two essays on specified topics, an institutional status form establishing current enrollment, two letters of reference, a university transcript, documentary evidence of having met the definition of New American, and scores from any graduate aptitude test (e.g., GMAT, MCAT, GRE, LSAT) required by programs to which the applicant has applied. Candidates may submit a photocopy of the score report. This requirement does not pertain to students in programs where portfolios or auditions determine admissions.
After the initial screening, 84 candidates will be selected for interviews. The Program will provide funding for travel and accommodations. The Program will not pay the cost of travel for candidates residing outside the U.S., but only from the nearest port of entry. The class of Fellows will be announced in late February. Thirty Fellowships are awarded each year.
Deadline: External 10/31/2010 (PROJECTED)
Who wins:
Candidates must demonstrate the relevance of graduate education to their long-term career goals and potential in enhancing their contributions to society. A successful candidate will give evidence of at least two of the following attributes or criteria for selection:
Creativity, originality, and initiative, demonstrated in any area of her/his life,
A commitment to and capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort, and
A commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This includes activity in support of human rights and the rule of law, in opposition to unwarranted encroachment on personal liberty, and in advancing the responsibilites of citizenship in a free society.
In 2009, 740 candidates applied. Candidates applied from the whole spectrum of graduate fields -- professional and academic, from creative writing to law to voice to medicine to neuroscience. Many represented oppressed minorities: Hmong, Mien, Chaldeans, Jews, Armenians, Overseas Chinese, Overseas Indians, Parsees, Copts, Baha'is, Ismalis, Melkite Christians, etc.
In 2006, UCI's Dora Castañeda '01 received the fellowship. In 2007, Theresa Nguyen was a finalist.
Finances:
For each of the grant's two years, the Fellow receives a maintenance stipend of $20,000 (paid in two installments) and a grant for half the cost of graduate school tuition. The Fellowship Program pays the tuition grant directly to the institution. Fees are not included in calculating tuition. If the graduate program is less than two years (e.g., Public Administration), the Fellow receives an amount to cover the period required for the degree.
Comments:
New applications are available online in March for that fall's competition. Extensive counseling is available.
World Wide Web: Further information and applications are available at:
http://www.pdsoros.org
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